Installers: it’s time to optimize your inventory management

Installations are on hold due to significant shortages of parts

Since the end of 2021, we have been dealing with rapidly rising energy prices and high bills, causing the demand for solar panels and heat pumps to explode. Unfortunately, because producers cannot keep up with that demand, shortages are still increasing, especially now that we also have to deal with the war in Ukraine and new lockdowns in China. The result is that those installation companies of heat pumps and solar panels are running out of stock and have to put installations on hold if the new stock does not come in quickly. In a panic, installation companies are now doing everything they can to purchase as many parts as possible.

The danger of panic and mass purchasing

Despite the current situation, many installation companies do not realize that the massive purchase of scarce parts is not without some risk. What if the scarce parts will have standard delivery times again and your installation company still has a large stock? It can just happen that the hoarded stock becomes obsolete, for example, because a part is renewed. In addition, installers now make it a day job to look for a supplier with inventory, which also costs much time and, therefore, money.

In control of inventory management with software

The overall conclusion in this story is that installation companies are not in control of their inventory management. Such a situation quickly gets out of hand, especially with smaller installers with less fat on the bones. However, a service and maintenance software provides optimal stock insight. The stock management module, the correct order moment and quantity, the required minimum stock, outgoing goods, delivery times, and purchase prices are displayed in one overview. In some cases, the purchasing process can even be fully automated, and it can supply you without human intervention. Selling ‘no’ is a thing of the past, and thanks to an always up-to-date insight into the stock, you will never have too much or too little stock again.

Insight into deliverable parts at suppliers with 2BA

In addition to a complete insight into stock management, service and maintenance software also provides an overview of suppliers for required parts. With the 2BA Connector, article management is optimized thanks to the up-to-date and extensive information available from the 2BA Unifeed. This way, you are always aware of the latest changes regarding product specifications, prices, and expected delivery times directly from your software. For example, is a specific part not in stock at your regular supplier? With 2BA, you also have a quick insight into equivalent alternative suppliers or available parts.