Guides for distributors
How to decide what to order, when, and from whom — the formulas, worked examples and the mistakes to avoid. Looking for a single term? Try the supply chain glossary.
Reorder Point Formula: How Distributors Decide When to Reorder
The reorder point formula explained for wholesale distributors: average daily demand, supplier lead time and safety stock, with a worked example.
October 6, 2026 · 6 min read
Safety Stock Formula: The Simple Rule and the Statistical Method
Two ways to calculate safety stock for a distributor — a lead-time rule of thumb and the statistical formula using demand and lead-time variability.
October 6, 2026 · 7 min read
How to Calculate Supplier OTIF (On-Time In-Full)
What supplier OTIF means, how to calculate it from purchase orders, a worked example, and the mistakes that make OTIF scores misleading.
October 6, 2026 · 6 min read
Overstock, Slow-Moving and Dead Stock: How to Tell Them Apart
Clear rules for classifying overstock, slow-moving and dead stock per SKU and warehouse, and what to do about each one.
October 6, 2026 · 6 min read
Reorder, Expedite or Transfer? Fixing a Projected Stockout
When a SKU is heading for a stockout, a new purchase order isn't always the answer. How distributors choose between reordering, expediting and transferring.
October 6, 2026 · 6 min read