Automatic Ordering Systems
Posted: Tue, 5 December 2006 | permalink | No comments
Reading about Jamie Zawinski's problems with purchasing plumbing parts (look for 'side-outlet elbows' and read until 'Construction'), I started wondering about the automatic ordering system that shop used. To compensate for the obvious stupidity in the staff, I wondered whether their ordering computer might have a system of automatic adjustments for stock re-ordering quantities. Then I wondered what the thresholds might be to increase the per-restock quantity. Finally, I entertained myself with the idea that, just maybe, jwz's rampant purchases triggered the stock computer to put in an order for some huge number of 4-way pipe joints, which then sat in stock for years and years, because the average consumption rate for those pieces is probably a hell of a lot less than the 10-per-week that the computer saw over the month in question.
Post a comment
All comments are held for moderation; markdown formatting accepted.