Inventory Management

Improve Inventory Management Processes

Replenishment and stock movements need to follow the expected path in a plant or warehouse. Upload WMS and ERP event data to see how the work actually runs, where cycle time builds up, and which process variants involve delays or repeated work.

Which inventory process should you analyze?

Start with a specific process in one warehouse or plant, such as replenishment or stock movement. A focused scope helps you examine the inventory-control work your team can influence.

An end-to-end supply chain analysis follows work across functions and organizations. For that broader view, see the supply chain use case.

What can process mining show you?

Process mining reconstructs a process from event data. Compare the documented flow with what actually happens to see:

• How long replenishment takes from trigger to completion
• Where stock movements wait between activities or teams
• Which variants take longer or involve repeated work
• Where exceptions or handoffs add time

These are process measures, not stock-level predictions. What you can learn depends on the events and fields in your data.

How can you measure replenishment cycle time?

For example, measure the time from when a replenishment request is created to when the related stock movement is complete. Compare cycle times across locations, product groups, or request types to see where delays cluster.

If one variant takes longer, inspect its activities and handoffs to see what differs. The event log shows where time is spent. Your team can investigate the operational reasons and decide whether a process change makes sense.

What data do you need?

A useful event log typically includes a case ID, activity name, and timestamp. Add available fields that help you compare relevant variants, such as location, product, supplier, or order type.

WMS and ERP exports can provide movement events for analysis. Your inventory management system already records them, and inventory management software that timestamps each movement is enough to start. The data you need depends on your question and how your systems record events. Read what data is needed, or review the data requirements in the docs.

How do you investigate delays and rework?

Use the process map and variant analysis to find cases that wait, loop back, or take a different path. Compare those cases with the fields in your event log to look for patterns, such as differences by location or request type.

This analysis helps you prioritize questions for the warehouse team. It does not establish the operational cause on its own or predict changes in stock levels.

How can you test a process change?

Once you understand the current process, document a proposed change and use process simulation to compare scenarios before changing the rules. For example, model a revised approval path or replenishment rule and examine its effect on process measures such as cycle time.

Simulation helps you assess a scenario. It does not implement the change or guarantee a particular outcome.

How do you get started?

Choose one replenishment or stock-movement process and a focused event log. Then:

1. Define the process boundary and the cycle-time measure you want to examine.
2. Prepare event data with a case ID, activity, and timestamp.
3. Add available comparison fields relevant to your question.
4. Review the process flow, variants, delays, and repeated activities.
5. Model a proposed change and compare the simulated results.

For a practical overview of process analysis, read how to analyze your process.

What should you explore next?

For inventory-control work in a warehouse or plant, start with replenishment or stock movements. To follow the wider flow across supply chain functions, see the supply chain use case.

Analyze a replenishment or stock-movement log: Start your free trial.