How do you manage conflicting inventory data from different software systems?

My obvious answer is- don't have conflicting systems. My motto in Supply Chain is always 'One version of the truth' it's important that any data that ultimately drives Supply Chain Performance or decision making is consistent and accurate and that everyone see's the same picture. I find there is often a culture whereby people look to try to invalidate data rather than understand it's message as this is the path of least resistance- share some data that doesn't align- you've lost your audience. Obviously regular governance and data maintenance is essential but rather than 'work around' the problem- engineer it out if possible. Inventory is the life-blood in any organisation, so accuracy is critical.

Identify the Source of Conflicts, Below are the two most common errors , I have personally deal with. Data Entry Errors: Human errors during manual data entry can lead to discrepancies. Verify data accuracy in both systems. ? Synchronisation Issues: If your systems don't automatically sync, data might not update in real- time.

I would agree with everyone who is inclined to keep it simple, avoid redundancies and monitor dynamic status. You can’t manage what you can’t measure. One roadblock I’ve seen is interoperability. API with an organization’s legacy systems and various departments make the hurdles higher. You should assess the organizational goals and hit that interoperability “sweet-spot” suite of organizational software based on the priorities of the organization.

Conflicting inventory data can be a major operational challenge. Inaccurate stock levels lead to lost sales, overstocking, and inefficient resource allocation. To address this, prioritize data accuracy by establishing clear ownership for each system. Implement robust integration solutions to ensure seamless data flow between platforms. Regularly audit your inventory data to identify discrepancies and root causes. Consider a centralized inventory management platform for a single source of truth. Collaboration is crucial. Involve IT, operations, and procurement to streamline processes and improve data quality. By working together, you can create a unified view of inventory, optimize stock levels, and enhance overall supply chain efficiency.

In my opinion & as per my experience, I would like to start by identifying discrepancies between the systems. Conduct a thorough audit to find the root cause. Standardize data entry processes and integrate the systems if possible. Regularly cross-check data to ensure consistency, and will train staff to follow the standardized procedures. I think clear communication and regular updates will help me to maintain accurate inventory records.

Inventory information can be difficult to consolidate. As the company grows, and the need of integration of local systems grows with it, relying in a single source of truth, although is the final and most important goal, will require collaboration and and analytics. As you cascade up the information from different sources, parameters and master data needs to have a coherent approach, as well as a centralized change control master so you may not fall into "shortcuts" that will damage the reliability in the long run. As a rule of thumb, try to keep the information as simple as possible, which as much detail as needed. Finally, undertand the limitations and uses of each tool at your disposal, and not use Excel to manage 99999999 lines at once.

Specifying the items which have conflict Make stock counting for the those items Roll back to the human transaction on all functions system Identify the error reason Setup the prevention action to prevent such as errors in coming on

Next, I centralize the data. By consolidating all inventory information into a single system or database, we can ensure everyone is looking at the same numbers. This helps reduce confusion and errors.

El líder de inventarios, debe estar capacitado para analizar grandes volúmenes de datos, y de diversas fuentes. Una de las herramientas que recomiendo es Power Bi, con la cual puedes unificar casi todas las bases de datos sin importar su fuente, transformar los datos desde Query según la necesidad del análisis y enlazarlos para poder desarrollar un dashboard interactivo en el cual se puede visualizar el gran volumen de datos segmentandolos según el análisis a desarrollar.

In our process, we utilize a master control file not only as a central repository but also as a powerful validation tool. This file is used to regularly compare variances between its data and the records in other systems. Our data analyst plays a vital role in this process by reviewing the master control file and identifying discrepancies. They then compile a list of mismatches, which our team thoroughly verifies and resolves. This collaborative approach ensures that our inventory data remains accurate and consistent across all platforms, effectively minimizing the risk of data conflicts.

Integra??o de Sistemas: Utilizar ferramentas de integra??o de software para sincronizar dados entre diferentes sistemas. Isso pode ser feito através de APIs ou middleware que facilitam a comunica??o e transferência de dados.

While software syncing is essential for maintaining data integrity across platforms, it’s the underlying process that truly determines its effectiveness. A well-defined and consistent process ensures that the software becomes a powerful tool in our operations. Without the right process in place, even the best software solutions may fall short of achieving the desired outcomes. Therefore, it’s crucial to establish and maintain strong processes that align with the capabilities of the software to fully leverage its potential.

I make sure all our software systems are synced up. This involves integrating different platforms and ensuring they communicate effectively with each other. Regular updates and synchronization are key to keeping data consistent.

Ensure that data fields from different systems are accurately mapped to each other. This involves aligning product identifiers, quantities, and other relevant attributes so that each system’s data can be correctly interpreted and reconciled.

Em qualquer etapa de processo, a pradroniza??o é um exercício fundamental para o melhor desempenho da opera??o e, consequentemente a fluidez dos dados, para a boa tomada de decis?o. Um do tópico importante é a convers?o harmoniosa das unidades de medidas (e.g.: unidades em quilos, metro em unidades, feixes em quilos, etc.) Por exemplo: se em uma empresa a principal unidade de medida é em toneladas, deve-se converter os insumos em toneladas. Isso facilita o processo de mensura??o de custos, gest?o dos estoques e as vendas. Nesse sentido, é essencial manter sempre atualizada a lista técnica de produtos ("a receita do bolo") buscando melhor assertividade e integridade dos dados entre sistemas. Por fim, formalize a prática em uma norma interna.

In the standardization process firstly consider the consistency of data like Date timings, product or part code and their description. Quality Standards

Standardizing processes across the board is crucial. Everyone needs to follow the same procedures for data entry and inventory tracking. This helps minimize errors and makes it easier to spot and fix discrepancies.

A padroniza??o de processos é uma abordagem eficaz para mitigar dados conflitantes principalmente quando se trata de departamento ou unidades diferentes. Reuna informa??es sobre como cada sistema atualiza e gerencia os dados; Identifique os processos/atividades atrelados à opera??o; Defina uma estrutura de coleta de dados padronizada e organizada por um sistema de comunica??o uniforme que permita a transferência de dados entre os diferentes sistemas. Documente o processo por meio de instru??es de trabalho claras e acessíveis.

Standardizing processes across all departments and systems is essential to prevent data conflicts. Ensure uniform procedures for recording, updating, and checking inventory, with clear guidelines for handling returns, damaged goods, and write-offs. Consistent processes ensure that data across all systems accurately reflects the same reality.

For understanding and maintaining documentation on data management process provide training to team members to understand the process

Training the team continuously is essential. I make sure everyone knows how to use the systems correctly and understands the importance of accurate data entry. Regular training sessions help keep everyone up to date.

Ongoing training is crucial for our team to manage inventory data accurately. As systems evolve, staying updated ensures correct and consistent usage. Training should cover data input, discrepancy reconciliation, and issue reporting. A well-informed team is our best defense against conflicting inventory data.

Es de vital importancia tener a nuestro equipo capacitado para que puedan hacer frente a ciertas situaciones que se pueda presentar sin l necesidad de la intervención del líder del equipo.

Create a feedback loop to learn from discrepancies and improve processes. This might include adjusting software configurations, improving user training, or refining automated rules.

When discrepancies do arise, I address them promptly. This means investigating the root cause and implementing solutions to prevent future issues. It’s about being proactive and not letting small problems become big ones.

Lastly, maintaining open communication within the team is vital. Encouraging team members to report issues and share insights helps us catch and resolve problems quickly. It fosters a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

An actual physical count on inventory. It’s easier if you actually see what you have on hand then adjust accordingly then sync the two

Hay que entender las formas de input de casa sistema y asegurar que estan sincronizados los tiempos y horarios de corte . Otro elemento importante es ver cuál es el valor de comparar y alinear estos sistemas , si es WMS con ERP ya que no estarían interfasados correctamente y por tanto la comparación es necesaria , pero si son dos sistemas paralelos posiblemente no hay valor en ajustar y comparar . El ABC de inventarios puede ayudarnos a priorizar el análisis de diferencias. No olvidar que el comparativo de físico contra el registro de sistema contable , siempre será fundamental en conteos pared a pared . Si se trata de conteos cíclicos, se podrá programar otro conteo de comprobación

Podemos saber manejar muy bien los datos, pero algo vital es la comunicación, los involucrados deben tener una excelente comunicación, notificar si hubo alguna novedad al instante, saber a quien se le debe notificar y que la información se transparente, esto con el fin de tener una reacción instantánea ante el acontecimiento.