Abstract:
Inventory is considered as an important current asset for trading and manufacturing enterprises. Its paramount significance lies in its effect upon the firm itself. Consequently, one of the major functions of the financial manager is to manage the inventory in the areas which he can control. Such control is meant to reduce the risk of illiquidity in the firm on one hand and increase profitability on the other. Risk here is of two types. First, the risk that a product wont sell as forecasted; second, the risk that a product wont sell at the anticipated price. The effects of both risks can be quite damaging to the liquidity of working capital too. It is, therefore, the financial managers task to try to minimize these risks through efficient inventory management and control. To enhance profitability, inventory management will aim at reducing all types of costs, such as carrying costs, ordering or setting up costs and opportunity costs. Besides this, a sound forecast will ensure a steady flow to satisfy both normal as well as seasonal demands of customers. Proper inventory management & control being essential to the success of the firm, the financial manager must use adequate analytical and planning methods to reach his objectives. These methods will help him determine Economic Order Quantitu, Re-order point, Safety stock and Anticipation Stock. Until very recently, mathematics and statistics were used to compute all that, but now Computer Systems are available. Computers work faster, something quite necessary in the present highly competitive business environment. In other countries, computers are widely used in all sorts of working units. Not so in Thailand where computer is mostly used in recording of accounting transactions, for ex. Receipts, issue and updating of file information. Hence, the purpose of this thesis written to study how computerized systems can aid the manager to forecast, plan and arrive at all sorts of decisions concerning inventory. Prior to expanding the use of computers in business, especially for inventory control, in Thailand, feasibility studies Have to be carried out. For many firms, computers are out of question for lack of information and/or lack of capital, while labor is still relatively cheap, and lack of Well-trained people in the field. This thesis elaborates on various methods to conduct feasibility studies. We hope that the information provided will be of assistance to businessmen, especially those who are yet undecided as to whether investing in computerized inventory control would be worth the cost or not, as well as to students, academicians and all people whose work is connected with inventory.