Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “work out what to reorder and how much”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today and, for AI fixes, a prompt to copy.

60 min
typically, a few times a week
55%
of the time can be automated
Some setup
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

AutomationBest fix

Set reorder points so the system suggests what to buy

When each item has a reorder point and order quantity in the ERP or inventory system, it builds the suggested order list for you. You review it instead of calculating every line.

Typically saves about 50% of the time6 h to set up
  1. 1Start with your top 100 items by usage.
  2. 2Set safety stock, reorder point and order quantity from usage and lead time.
  3. 3Turn on the system's reorder or MRP suggestion report.
  4. 4Review and approve the suggestions; recheck settings every quarter.

Tools: Your ERP (NetSuite, Dynamics 365, SAP, Odoo) · Inventory tools like Cin7, Fishbowl or inFlow

Fix 2 of 2

AI

Have AI review the forecast and flag what looks wrong

Upload the usage history and forecast; AI spots trends, seasonality and outliers, and suggests reorder quantities. You make the call faster.

Typically saves about 35% of the time15 min to set up
  1. 1Export 12 to 24 months of usage, current stock, open orders and lead times.
  2. 2Use Copilot in Excel, Gemini in Sheets, or upload to an approved AI assistant.
  3. 3Use the prompt below.
  4. 4Check its suggestions on a few items you know well before trusting the rest.
Prompt to copy
Here is monthly usage, current stock, open orders and lead times for [NUMBER] items. For each item: 1) flag a trend, seasonality or unusual spike, 2) say whether we will run out before the next delivery, 3) suggest a reorder quantity with the reasoning. Show the calculation. List the ten items most at risk first.

Tools: Copilot in Excel · Gemini in Google Sheets · ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Microsoft Copilot

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

Inventory / supply plannerPurchasing / buyer

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

How many hours does this cost you?

The free 8-minute check works out where your week goes and gives you your top fixes. The team scan does the same for everyone and adds it up, so you know which leaks to fix first.

Take the free check Scan my team, $49

Answers are anonymous. Leaders only see team totals.

Other common tasks for Inventory / supply planners