INVENTORY & WAREHOUSE OPERATIONS
Active Stock
Active stock is inventory used to satisfy current demand, commonly held in accessible picking locations and replenished from reserve stock.
ACTIVE STOCK IN PRACTICE
- Identify current demand
- Position pick stock
- Replenish the pick face
A WORKED EXAMPLE
240 in reserve. 24 ready to pick.
A SKU has 240 eaches in reserve and 24 eaches in its forward pick location. The pick face supports today’s work while reserve stock feeds it. If 12 eaches are picked, that location holds 12 until replenished. Moving a case of 12 from reserve restores the pick face to 24 without increasing total facility stock.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR QUOTE
Make the requirement explicit
Use the same scope and units when comparing providers. Put the agreed responsibility, included work and exception process into the service description.
Put this term to work. Use the 3PL selection guide to turn these operating requirements into provider checks, and the 3PL RFP guide to document evidence, responsibilities and exceptions.
A LITTLE MORE CONTEXT
Questions about Active Stock
Is active stock the same as total inventory?
No. Reserve, held and other stock can exist outside the active picking area.
Should all fast movers have large pick faces?
Not automatically. Balance demand coverage with space, access and replenishment effort.
Source & example notes
Microsoft Learn: warehouse work and location directives. Further reading on the related controls and terminology. Product documentation describes a particular implementation; it does not establish a universal procedure or service commitment.
Definitions and worked examples are prepared by 3PL Hub. Numbers are illustrative, not provider rates, operating targets or guarantees.
Last updated: · 3PL Hub
