Apple is the world’s leading tech giant and consumer electronics-producing company. The tech brand became the first publically traded company to reach a market value of more than 2 trillion US dollars. Customers are willing to buy Apple’s premium products because it offers them the latest technology way beyond their imagination. Today, we’ll discuss Apple inventory management; its definition, strategies, and benefits.
Time Cook took the role of COO (chief operating officer) at Apple and later became the CEO of the company. He said in his interview that you have to manage inventory in the tech industry just like any other perishable product like fruits and vegetables because tech products become obsolete very quickly.
The inventory turnover of Apple is much better than many other competitors. Inventory turnover rate means that how many times you sell your inventory in the warehouse and then replace it with a particular period of time like 3 or 6 months. A higher inventory turnover rate would mean that the products won’t become stuck in the warehouse and sold quickly.
What is Apple Inventory Management?
Inventory management of Apple comprises various activities and processes of maintaining the optimum level of inventory items. The goal and objective of inventory management is to achieve the following;
- Continuous production
- Sales and customer service
- Low cost
Proper IM falls under the category of current assets in the balance sheet, improper IM would result in the form of business losses and failure. Apple has become the world’s leading and most successful company over the year because of implementing inventory management strategies. The key to the success of Apple is its obsessive control of inventory processes. Apple realized the best method to control customer needs and the cost is to achieve inventory balance in various locations across the globe.
Elements of Apple Inventory Management
Some of the main elements of Apple inventory management are as follows;
Inventory Reduction
When Tim Cook took charge of the office, his approach was to decrease the warehouse and inventory and make the suppliers and vendors compete against themselves. Tech businesses and companies can’t afford to have a large stock of inventory due to the competitive nature of the tech industry. The latest tech innovation from the competitors could change the dynamics of the industry by decreasing the value of the existing stock of inventory.
Long Product Forecasting
Apple has long forecasting of its products and it allows the company to rightly forecast the demand. The company not only predicts the demand for the product, but also the upcoming technology that customers will enjoy it in the future. However, it allows the company to target suppliers in the long term and establish long-term contracts with them. The brand generates demand for suppliers this way so that the competitors can’t get their hands on the latest technology or parts.
Days in Inventory
When it comes to managing the inventory, Apple has a dominant market position because of the two indicators days in inventory and inventory turnover. Days in inventory are the time that it takes for the company to sell its inventory to the customers
Creating Competition
Apple doesn’t take possession of its stock, and it helps the company to decrease the risk factor of products becoming outdated. The strategy of Apple is to create competition among suppliers, and it allows the company to gain a competitive edge over competitors. However, no other product creates a buzz in the market than Apple tech devices and products. Hundreds of people start lining up outside the stores to buy the latest cutting-edge technology.
Strategies for Apple Inventory Management
Some of the best practices and strategies for Apple inventory management are as follows;
JIT
Apple employs the JIT (just in time) approach and which means manufacturing the finished products and delivering them to the warehouses and retail stores at the right time when there is a high demand for goods. It decreases the risk of managing a large inventory.
Vertical Integration
Apple follows the vertical integration strategy and which comprises managing various processes of the SC network from sourcing and production to the finished goods. It helps the company to have better control over the inventory process, improve efficiency and decrease waste.
High Technology
In order to improve and manage its inventory, Apple follows the latest technology like data analytics and automation. Automated technology helps the company to predict demand and manage inventory, and it allows the company to decrease the risk factor of overstocking or stockout.
Benefits of Apple Inventory Management
Some of the main benefits of Apple IM are as follows;
Large Inventory Balance
It means the amount of cash and capital become stuck to the IM and supply chain processes. The reason tech company Apple has been able to develop so much cash flow is because of the company’s capability to manage working capital well.
Agile
Limited inventory allows the company Apple to be quick and agile. Some companies launch various products and refresh their stock in a single year; they can afford to launch the latest product without any discounts and no discounts on previous models as well. However, it amplifies the risk of inventory becoming outdated.
Conclusion: Apple Inventory Management
After an in-depth study of Apple inventory management; we have realized Apple IM is highly significant for the growth of your business expenses. If you are learning about Apple IM, then you should keep in mind the abovementioned elements, benefits, and strategies.
Ahsan is an accomplished researcher and has a deep insight in worldly life affairs. He goes Live 3 days a week on various social media platforms. Other than research writing, he’s a very interesting person.
