Days on hand, a critical metric in inventory management, represents the number of days a business can operate using its existing stock. The calculation typically involves dividing the current inventory level by the average daily cost of goods sold. For example, if a company holds $10,000 worth of inventory and the average daily cost of goods sold is $500, the company has 20 days of supply on hand. This calculation provides a snapshot of inventory efficiency and the potential for stockouts or excess inventory.
Maintaining an optimal number of days of supply is vital for several reasons. It directly impacts cash flow, as excessive inventory ties up capital that could be used elsewhere. Conversely, too few days of supply can lead to lost sales due to unmet demand and potentially damage customer relationships. Historically, businesses have used various methods to optimize this metric, ranging from manual tracking systems to sophisticated enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. A well-managed days on hand figure can significantly contribute to a company’s profitability and operational stability.