Purchasing (Expendables/Shop Items)
We have a standardized method of buying expendables at Bolt to ensure that we order the same quantity and the correct product everytime.
Item Lifecycle
Here is the lifecycle of items we use in the shop.
- Out of Stock
An item is used up and a Kanban card is reached. This could be the end of a bin or the item that has a kanban card stuck to it.
- Order Item
Scan the QR code on the Kanban card and order the amount listed on the card. If you cannot find a card, search for the item in the Kanban app and reprint a card if there is one input. If not, ask in slack if this is an item we want to re-order.
- Input Data
You will then write down the date ordered and the quantity ordered on the card. Take this time to analyze when the last time we bought this item was. Should we carry less of this product? Should we remove it completely from our inventory? These are the questions we should ask.
- Put Kanban Card in Order Section
Keep the kanban card with the empty bin.
- Receive Items
Once the new items are received, look at the kanban card and perform any actions specified in the notes. (For example, 211 boxes must be discarded and write 75w 211 on top using sharpie.)
- Replenish item
Move the old stock to the front bin or compartment so the oldest stock gets used first. The new stock should be used last. LIFO helps to remember this order, Last-in, First-out.
- Replace Kanban Put the Kanban card in the rear compartment or bin in such a way that it will cover or impede your usage of the remaining stock. You want to make it very difficult for someone to use the second bin or kanbaned item without seeing the card.
If the item is no longer available for purchase, we need to find a new item for purchase, update the kanban card and re-print it.
The goal is that all of our inventory comes Just in Time.
Kanban Inventory App
The Kanban Inventory App is a central repository for all of our expendables and shop items information. We input all of the data into this app then use it to create kanban cards. This can be used either on the computer, or on the iTouch depending on what you're doing. Access the app by going here.
Adding Items
- Go to the Items Tab
- Click the Plus Sign in the Top Right
- Follow the instructions and fill out all fields.
- Be sure to Fill in all Fields.
Shop Items
There are many things that we only use in the shop, but do not sell. We still need to keep track of these products using the kanban cards as again we want the inventory of these items to remain small, and we want to order the same exact item every time. Follow the instructions on the Kanban Inventory App to differentiate if this is a sales item (something we sell) vs. a shop item (something only used in the shop).
Email URL Creator
If you need your kanban card to send an email to someone when you scan it, use the Create Email URL tab. It's best to do this part on a computer.
- Open up LinklyHQ using the button in the app
- Click Create New Link
- Enter in the To, Subject, and Body field in the app.
- Press the button at the bottom to copy the MailTo Link.
- Paste it into the Destination URL
- Fill in the other fields to your liking to label it.
- Then take that URL from LinklyHQ to create a new item.
Missing Data
If any items are missing data, they will show up in this tab. You can go back in the items tab and fill in the missing portions to remove them from this list. Ideally this list will be empty at all times.
Kanban Card
Now you have all your info entered, you can create the Kanban card.
- Select your item
- Click the Link and Print Page using Cardstock Paper