Free stock management: a beginner's guide in Excel
Safety stock, supplier order tracking and at-risk items: a guide to managing stock without paid software.
Calculate safety stock
Safety stock protects against stockouts when a delivery takes longer than expected. It is based on average consumption and the variability of lead times.
In a spreadsheet, a simple formula is enough to display it next to each item.
Track supplier orders
An order tracker lists the order date, the expected delivery date, the quantity received and any gaps. These gaps reveal unreliable suppliers.
Spot at-risk items
Conditional formatting flags items below the reorder point. You see at a glance what needs ordering.