Conversely, with an efficient Purchase Advice Report the computer could have worked out the purchase order in just minutes. In just a few minutes more, the merchandiser could review this report and make changes based on his or her knowledge of advertising plans, or seasonal factors. A simple little report like this can mean that you are in stock when you need to be and so minimize lost sales due to being out of stock on best sellers. The same type of management assistance can be applied to slow sellers. Your inventory should be reviewed continuously for periodic markdowns and other actions to clear it of nonproductive items.
Some merchants have to scan their entire inventory to determine reorders and markdowns.
Sometimes it takes weeks to do what a computer could have done in minutes. Anyone knows that the more information you have, the more effective your decisions become. But acquiring that information in a timely manner is most important. In many operations these delays are a matter of weeks and months, not just days. Utilizing a management system rather than a data system could more than double your profits.