Essay --

Leedy and Ormrod (2001) have studied the inventory policies and the inventory techniques that a company manages to incorporate in its armory to a great extent. They have said that the inventory policies or techniques that are commonly used are ABC analysis, XYZ analysis, VED analysis, Analysis of stock levels etc. The main importance of the inventory tools like inventory categorization tools that the company follows mainly is seen at a cost level. The cost component is given the major importance whereas the other benefits that arise out of it are not realized, even though it is achieved. Thus the advantages regarding the cost aspect is beautifully explained in this study, but as mentioned in the study, the other factors that are benefited from inventory management are not touched down to very fine detail. But from this study, the fact that can be ascertained is that there is a connect between the inventory policies and the improvement of customer service, but it is more or less not r elated to. Trent and Handfield (2002) have given a very detailed study of the customer perceptions towards a firm, customer service levels, service quality aspect and the determinants that arise in a company which leads to good customer service. The basic thing what the authors want to say in this study is that the customers would always like to see the company that is serving them to be rid of inefficiencies. Also the consumption of the product, if achieved by the customer on time or by the time the customer is expecting it to be consumed is a major factor in the customer perception towards the company, and there is no doubt that such factors can only have a positive impact on the perception of the customer. Pycraft (2000) has stated about the hap... ...n managing the affairs of the departments which may not be directly interacting with the customers, but whose services would surely impact the service quality. †¢ It should be clearly understood that factors like presentability and aestheticity, discounts etc are not the only factors which would impress customers. Good service comes from following basics and this can be achieved by having a good inventory policy. 6.3 CONCLUSION We can conclude by saying that if we want to have a good image on the minds of the customers, then we have to be efficient in our services and our co ordination has to be impeccable. All this can be achieved through following of a good inventory techniques. Thus we should not neglect the inventory aspects of the company and focus on other things which may look good, but won’t help in improving efficiencies and delighting the customers.