Installers: it is time to optimize your inventory management

An article recently appeared in the Financieel Dagblad regarding the major shortages of parts for solar panels and heat pumps, causing installations to stagnate and installation companies to sometimes even run into financial difficulties. This is happening even as demand for sustainability is at an all-time high. What is striking is that many installation companies do not have their inventory management in order and only realize this when it is actually already too late.

Installations on hold due to severe parts shortages

Since late 2021, we have been grappling with rapidly rising energy prices and high bills, which have caused demand for solar panels and heat pumps to surge. Because manufacturers cannot keep up with this demand, shortages continue to mount, especially now that we are also dealing with the war in Ukraine and new lockdowns in China. As a result, heat pump and solar panel installation companies are running out of stock and will have to put installations on hold if new stock does not arrive soon. In a panic, installation companies are now doing everything they can to purchase as many parts as possible.

Inventory management prevents panic and mass buying

What many installation companies do not realize is that purchasing scarce parts en masse, despite the current situation, carries risks. What if scarce parts soon return to normal delivery times, and your installation company is still stuck with a large inventory? The hoarded stock could easily become obsolete, for example, because a part is updated. Furthermore, installers are now making it a full-time job to search for a supplier with stock, which costs a lot of time and, therefore, money.

In control of inventory management with software

The overall conclusion of this story is that installation companies are not in control of their inventory management. A situation like the current one quickly gets out of hand, especially for smaller installers with less financial reserves. Service and maintenance software, however, ensures optimal insight into inventory. With the inventory management module, the correct ordering time and quantity, the required minimum stock, outgoing goods, delivery times, and purchase prices are displayed in a single overview. In some cases, the purchasing process can even be fully automated, allowing you as an installation company to be supplied without human intervention. Saying ‘no’ becomes a thing of the past, and thanks to always up-to-date insight into inventory, you will never have too much or too little stock again.

Insight into deliverable parts from suppliers with 2BA

In addition to providing comprehensive insight into inventory management, service and maintenance software also offers an overview of suppliers for required parts. With the 2BA integration, article management is optimized thanks to the always-up-to-date, comprehensive information available from the 2BA Unifeed. This ensures you are always informed of the latest changes regarding product specifications, prices, and expected delivery times, directly from your software. Is a specific part out of stock at your regular supplier? With 2BA, you also gain quick insight into available alternative suppliers or parts.