* EDI problems: Extensive EDI testing should be done to validate the data being sent. Is the distributor sending all the data that should be sent? Is each field populated with the correct data?

*Acceptance: Make sure that all employees involved in the process fully understand and accept this new way of doing business. It's not enough to just sell the concept to senior management, all employees who are involved  must be willing participants. 

*Promotions/Events: Anything that adds or takes away from the normal ordering pattern must be properly communicated.

*Customer Base: Any large customers, either gained or lost, must be communicated to the manufacturer. The distributor must guide the manufacturer on how this will effect sales.

*Over/Obsolete Stock: An agreement must exist between the manufacturer and the distributor on what to do if an overstock does occur (or in the case of an ordering error). Also, both parties must agree on how to handle obsolete stock.

*Time: Both parties involved must understand that this is a learning process. Errors will occur. You will probably not have a perfect process in place from day 1.

You can contact us at VMI@VendorManagedInventory.com