➡️ What is Smart Min/Max?
Smart Min/Max is SureStock's AI-powered inventory optimization feature that automatically calculates optimal minimum and maximum stock levels for each location. Instead of manually setting fixed stock levels, Smart Min/Max analyzes your actual usage data to recommend levels that balance inventory availability with capital efficiency.
Smart Min/Max offers two different calculation methodologies to suit your business needs:
Demand Forecast: uses historical usage + predicted future demand (recommended)
Rolling Calculation: uses simple 30-day average of past consumption
You'll find this feature under Settings → Procurement → Smart Min/Max.
➡️ Demand Forecast Methodology
Demand Forecast is the more advanced method. It intelligently predicts your inventory needs by analyzing the last 8 weeks of actual consumption and forecasting the next 4 weeks of demand.
How It Works:
1. Historical Usage Analysis (Last 8 weeks)
Weekly usage rates for each material
Seasonal variations and demand spikes
Lead times from suppliers
Day-of-week usage patterns
2. Demand Prediction (Next 4 weeks)
Trending consumption patterns
Seasonal business fluctuations
Supplier lead times
Expected usage variations
3. Optimal Level Calculation
Minimum stock to cover demand until reorder arrives
Safety buffer for unexpected spikes
Maximum stock to minimize excess inventory
Capital efficiency based on coverage level
➡️ Understanding the Chart
The Demand Forecast visualization shows:
Gray Bars: actual usage last 8 weeks
Green Shaded Area: predicted demand next 4 weeks
Green Line (Min): minimum stock to maintain
Dashed Line (Max): recommended maximum
Orange Line: weeks you might run short
➡️ Choosing a Coverage Level
Demand Forecast offers three coverage levels, each represents a risk/efficiency tradeoff:
Lean
~85% of weeks you'll have enough stock
Best for: high-turnover items, tight cash flow
Stock amount: ~30% less than Balanced
Balanced ⭐ (Recommended)
~90% of weeks you'll have enough stock
Best for: most trade service businesses
Stock amount: standard level
Protected
~92% of weeks you'll have enough stock
Best for: critical items, seasonal businesses
Stock amount: ~25% more than Balanced
➡️ Rolling Calculation (Alternative Methodology)
Rolling Calculation is a simpler approach that calculates min/max based on your 30-day average usage.
Best for: steady-state businesses with predictable demand
Less sophisticated than Demand Forecast
Updates more frequently based on recent usage
➡️ Enabling Smart Min/Max with Demand Forecast
Step 1: Navigate to Settings
Go to Settings → Procurement → Smart Min/Max.
Step 2: Select Demand Forecast
Under Set methodology, select Demand Forecast (instead of Rolling Calculation).
Step 3: Choose Coverage Level
Select Lean, Balanced, or Protected based on your risk tolerance.
Step 4: Configure Update Method
Suggest Adjustments: review recommendations before applying.
Adjust automatically: apply changes immediately.
➡️ Reviewing Recommendations
If you have "Suggest Adjustments" enabled, you can check the suggestions and approve/deny them.
Go to Settings → Procurement → Smart Min/Max.
Click on Set Up Materials.
For each recommendation, you'll see:
Old Min/Max (current settings)
New Min/Max (Demand Forecast recommendation)
Current quantity on hand
Click Accept or Decline for each item.
➡️ Best Practices
Start with Balanced coverage and adjust based on results.
Check Min/Max Updates weekly.
Accept recommendations for high-use items.
Manually manage slow-moving stock.
Recalculate after major operational changes.
Enable notifications for pending recommendations.
➡️ Common Issues
"I turned on Demand Forecast but I'm not getting many recommendations yet."
This is expected for newer locations. Demand Forecast needs at least 4-8 weeks of historical data, locations with less history will have limited recommendations until enough data accumulates.
"A recommendation doesn't make sense for a seasonal item."
Demand Forecast learns seasonal patterns over time, but it needs a season or two of data to fully adjust. In the meantime, use Protected coverage for seasonal items during peak season, and feel free to Decline a recommendation and set min/max manually if it looks off.
"I want to keep manual control over a specific slow-moving item."
You can Accept or Decline any recommendation individually, and manually edit min/max values at any time, even with Demand Forecast enabled.
➡️ FAQs
How much historical data is needed?
At least 4-8 weeks. New locations may have limited recommendations until data accumulates.
Can I override recommendations?
Yes. You can Accept or Decline any recommendation, and manually edit min/max values anytime.
What if I'm seasonal?
Demand Forecast learns seasonal patterns over time. Use Protected coverage during peak seasons while it learns.
Does it account for lead times?
Yes. Lead times from suppliers are factored into minimum calculations.
What's the difference from Rolling Calculation?
Demand Forecast is more predictive (uses future forecasts), while Rolling Calculation is reactive (uses 30-day average).
Still need help?