Explain Always Better Control analysis of inventory control.

ABC Analysis of Inventory Control: ABC analysis is the extensively used approach for classifying the inventories on the basis of cost and utilize. It is a type of pareto analysis and sometimes also termed as Always Better Control approach.

The inventories are classified in three groups:

(i) A-Type Inventory: It consists as high value, low volume type of inventories. It means that their yearly consumption is very less although these are very costly items. Despite required less in volume, their yearly monetary value is rather high, as these are very expensive items. ABC-analysis recommends careful control of A-Type inventory. For more periodic review is required.

Involvement of management of higher level is recommended in the review process. A small reduction in the safety stock and EOQ will reason substantial saving for the organisation. This has been observed that a small percentage of items as 10 to 20 percent accounts for major percentage as 70 to 80 percent of the total annual monetary consumption in inventories. These are termed as A-Type inventories.

(ii) C-Type Inventory: Majority of the items (as 60-70 percent) constitute only a minor fraction of the total annual monetary consumption (as 5 to 15 percent) in inventories. All such items are C-Type items. The control required for these items may not be extremely stringent. Bulk-purchase decisions may be helpful as the item cost is less. Hence, lesser number of orders may be placed. All such items may be under the supervision of lower level of management and monthly reports or only exceptional reports are needed by top management.

(iii) B-Type Inventory: Items but A and C type constitute 20 to30 percent in terms of items and 10 to 25 percent in terms of their annual consumption value. These are known as B-Type inventories. Their supervisions and control are moderate as compared to A or C type inventories.