Ryan: All right, so today we’re diving into a problem that I think a lot of businesses can relate to, especially businesses that are growing really fast.
Emma: Yeah.
Ryan: And that’s keeping track of your inventory. Like, you have this great product and it’s selling like crazy.
Emma: Right.
Ryan: But, you know, can your systems keep up with that demand? We’re looking at a company a lot of us probably know, especially if you have a dog: KONG, the classic dog toy company.
Emma: Yeah, those tough red rubber toys.
Ryan: Yeah, exactly.
Emma: Absolutely.
Ryan: So KONG was facing this exact problem. Their old inventory system just couldn’t keep up.
Emma: Yeah, they were using really outdated systems like spreadsheets, manual counts, a lot of pen and paper stuff, a lot of manual processes.
Ryan: And this was really slowing them down.
Emma: Oh, yeah.
Ryan: To the point where it was taking them a full year to do a complete inventory count.
Emma: Yeah, that’s not sustainable for a company growing as quickly as they were.
Ryan: No, absolutely not.
Emma: It just doesn’t work.
Ryan: So they needed a solution, and they found it with Insight Works.
Emma: Right. They decided to implement some apps that work with Business Central.
Ryan: Yeah. Now they’re using Warehouse Insight and an advanced inventory count.
Emma: It sounds really technical.
Ryan: It is technical, but it’s made a huge difference.
Emma: A huge difference. I mean, they’ve gone from taking a year to do an inventory count to just a few days.
Ryan: Wow.
Emma: Yeah, it’s really incredible.
Ryan: So how does it work?
Emma: Well, basically, they’ve moved away from all those manual processes and are now using barcode scanning and mobile devices to update their inventory levels in real time.
Ryan: So instead of somebody walking around with a clipboard and writing down numbers…
Emma: Exactly. They’re scanning things.
Ryan: Yeah, they’re scanning barcodes, and all that information is going straight into their system.
Emma: That’s got to be a huge time saver.
Ryan: Oh, yeah, it’s a massive time saver and also eliminates a lot of the potential for errors.
Emma: Right. Because if you’re writing things down by hand, you’re going to make mistakes. It’s just inevitable.
Ryan: You’re going to transpose a number or something.
Emma: Yeah, exactly.
Ryan: Okay, so they’ve got these new tools, these new apps from Insight Works. But did it actually work?
Emma: Oh, it worked incredibly well. Actually, they saw some really impressive results.
Ryan: Like what kind of results?
Emma: For one thing, they drastically reduced their inventory count time, as we said.
Ryan: Right. From a year to a few days.
Emma: Exactly. And that freed up a lot of time and resources that they could then use for other things.
Ryan: Yeah, that’s got to be huge.
Emma: It is, it is.
Ryan: So what else did they see?
Emma: They also saw a significant increase in their inventory accuracy, which led to less waste and happier customers.
Ryan: That makes sense. If you know exactly what you have in stock, you’re less likely to overstock items and end up with stuff you can’t sell.
Emma: And you’re also less likely to run out of stock of popular items, which can lead to frustrated customers.
Ryan: Yeah, nobody wants to wait weeks for their dog’s favorite toy.
Emma: Exactly. Improved inventory accuracy has a lot of benefits.
Ryan: So we’re talking about faster shipments, happier customers. Anything else?
Emma: Oh, yeah. They also saw improvements in areas like staff training and visibility across the company.
Ryan: Okay, let’s break those down a little.
Emma: Because the system is intuitive and easy to use, it’s actually much easier to train new employees on it.
Ryan: So they don’t need weeks of training just to learn how to do inventory.
Emma: Right, exactly. It’s more streamlined, saving the company time and money.
Ryan: And what about visibility?
Emma: With the old system, it was difficult to get a clear picture of inventory across the company.
Ryan: Different departments might have different information.
Emma: Exactly. And that could lead to all sorts of problems.
Ryan: Like, one department might think they have plenty of a certain item in stock.
Emma: Right.
Ryan: But another department might be running low.
Emma: Exactly. That could lead to delays and confusion.
Ryan: So this new system gives everybody a single source of truth.
Emma: That’s exactly right.
Ryan: Real-time data, everyone’s on the same page.
Emma: Huge for a company like KONG operating on a global scale.
Ryan: So it sounds like these apps from Insight Works weren’t just a band-aid solution.
Emma: No, not at all. They revolutionized how KONG does business.
Ryan: They transformed their operations and allowed them to scale their business more effectively.
Emma: And that’s the power of technology to solve real-world business challenges.
Ryan: And unlock new levels of efficiency and growth.
Emma: It’s not just about big companies like KONG either. These same principles apply to businesses of all sizes.
Ryan: Let’s break down exactly how they did that. We know they dramatically cut down their inventory counting time, but what were some of the other key benefits?
Emma: With improved accuracy comes better forecasting and planning. KONG used to base their production on estimates, leading to overproduction or shortages.
Ryan: So now they have a clearer picture of demand trends.
Emma: Exactly. They can fine-tune production to match actual demand.
Ryan: That’s going to significantly impact their bottom line.
Emma: Absolutely. Less waste from overproduction, fewer missed sales from shortages—it’s a recipe for increased profitability.
Ryan: It’s not just about the numbers, though. Think about the environmental impact.
Emma: Reducing waste is a big win for sustainability.
Ryan: Especially these days.
Emma: By optimizing inventory, KONG is minimizing their environmental footprint. Good for the planet and their brand image.
Ryan: We’ve talked about the big picture benefits: efficiency, profitability, sustainability. But what about the day-to-day impact?
Emma: One area of huge improvement was in their shipping process. Before, it could take days to locate an item in the warehouse.
Ryan: Wow.
Emma: But now, with real-time visibility, they know exactly where everything is.
Ryan: So that makes order fulfillment much faster.
Emma: So much faster.
Ryan: Faster shipping time to happier customers.
Emma: And it goes beyond just speed; they can also track shipments more effectively, reducing the risk of items getting lost or delayed.
Ryan: So it’s all about creating a more seamless and reliable experience for customers.
Emma: Exactly.
Ryan: We’ve talked a lot about Warehouse Insight. What about the other app we mentioned?
Emma: Advanced Inventory Count. It’s all about making cycle counting efficient and accurate.
Ryan: What is cycle counting?
Emma: Instead of the once-a-year scramble to count everything, cycle counting means counting smaller sections more frequently.
Ryan: So you don’t shut down the entire warehouse to count everything.
Emma: Exactly. You count a few aisles each day, keeping data fresh and minimizing disruptions.
Ryan: That makes a lot of sense.
Emma: And with Advanced Inventory Count, it’s all done electronically. No more manual counting, no more human error.
Ryan: That’s huge.
Emma: It makes the process so much more accurate and efficient.
Ryan: Not just gut feelings or estimates anymore.
Emma: No guessing games—solid data to back up decisions.
Ryan: These apps allow KONG to make much more informed decisions.
Emma: Data-driven decision-making, which is essential for any business that wants to succeed.
Ryan: It’s fascinating how these apps can have such a profound impact on a company’s operations.
Emma: It really is, and it’s a testament to the power of technology.
Ryan: To empower businesses to work smarter, not harder.
Emma: KONG is a perfect example. Streamlining inventory management freed up time and resources.
Ryan: Letting them focus on what they do best: making great dog toys.
Emma: Exactly, a win-win for everyone.
Ryan: There’s a bigger lesson here for other businesses.
Emma: Whether you’re selling dog toys or software, having accurate, up-to-date inventory information is crucial for success.
Ryan: What’s the key takeaway for our listeners?
Emma: Don’t underestimate the power of the right tools. Investing in technology that streamlines processes can have a huge impact on your business.
Ryan: Especially in something as fundamental as inventory management.
Emma: If you get that right, it can lead to many positive changes.
Ryan: More efficiency, profitability, sustainability—you name it.
Ryan: Sometimes, the biggest changes come from focusing on these seemingly small details.
Emma: By taking control of inventory, KONG unlocked their full potential, becoming an agile and responsive business.
Ryan: Which any business, big or small, can aspire to.
Emma: Absolutely.
Ryan: Now, let’s talk about the human side of this transformation.
Emma: Change can be challenging, especially in a fast-paced environment like a warehouse.
Ryan: Were there any growing pains during implementation?
Emma: There’s always a learning curve with new technology, but Insight Works’ apps were intuitive and easy for employees to use, even for those who weren’t particularly tech-savvy.
Ryan: So they weren’t just thrown into the deep end.
Emma: No, they received comprehensive training to get up to speed.
Ryan: That’s good.
Emma: The apps were also designed with end users in mind—simple interfaces, clear instructions, and mobile-friendly functionality.
Ryan: So they weren’t fumbling around with a huge tablet.
Emma: Exactly. Insight Works tried to make it as easy as possible.
Ryan: KONG also emphasized the benefits to employees.
Emma: They explained how it would make their jobs easier and improve efficiency, ultimately helping the company grow.
Ryan: A collaborative effort rather than a top-down mandate.
Emma: Exactly, which helped in getting everyone on board.
Ryan: When people understand the why behind a change, they’re more likely to embrace it.
Emma: In KONG’s case, the results were undeniable. Employees saw firsthand how these apps saved time and reduced errors.
Ryan: It’s a great example of how technology can improve employee morale and job satisfaction.
Emma: It’s not about replacing human workers with robots but giving them tools to do their jobs better.
Ryan: And those tools help bring joy to dogs and their owners worldwide.
Emma: Exactly.
Ryan: It’s a reminder that even in business and technology, there’s a human element.
Emma: Technology is a powerful tool, but people ultimately drive innovation and create meaningful impact.
Ryan: That’s a great point.
Emma: So, as we wrap up our deep dive into KONG’s inventory transformation, what’s the final thought for our listeners?
Emma: If a company known for durable dog toys can embrace technology to streamline operations and achieve amazing results, just imagine the possibilities for your business.
Ryan: It’s about being open to new ideas, finding the right tools, and empowering people to make a difference.
Emma: KONG took a potential logistical nightmare and turned it into an amazing success story.
Ryan: A reminder that even complex challenges can be overcome with innovation and the right technology.
Emma: Couldn’t agree more.
Ryan: Maybe the next time you see a dog happily chewing on a KONG, you’ll think about all the innovative systems that helped get it there.
Emma: I hope so.
Ryan: That’s a wrap on our deep dive.
Emma: Awesome.
Ryan: Thanks for listening, everyone. We hope you enjoyed this episode, and we’ll catch you next time.
