Inventory Management Solutions

Why Thomas Scientific?

Serving the scientific community for over 100 years, we put our customers first!
We have partnered with hundreds of customers to provide best-in-class vendor managed inventory programs with your lab operations in mind. We have a proven track record for customer inventory management freeing you up to focus on your business growth.

Let us be your Integrated Partner! TIMS Vendor Managed Inventory Brochure

We offer various level programs to suit your needs

Level 1: Products delivered to Dock or Staging Area
Level 2: Stockroom Management and De-trashing Service
Level 3: Point-of-Use, Gown Room Management, De-trashing Service
On-site Service: On-site Materials Management, Gown Room Management, De-trashing Service
Integrated Services: Specialized Services, Warehouse Management, Kitting Service

Program Level	Service Description	Delivery Service	Customer Service	Inventory Management	SOW	Reporting	Recycling
Level 1 VMI	DOCK: Service customers to their receiving dock	Thomas Truck Cart / De-trashed	Yes	VMI Driver	Yes	Yes	—
Level 2 VMI	ROOM: Service to the customers stockroom or storage area	Thomas Truck Cart / De-trashed	Yes	VMI Driver / Cloud Mobile Inv	Yes	Yes	Yes
Level 3 VMI	POU: Service to the point-of-use Lab or Gownroom	Thomas Truck Cart / De-trashed	Yes	VMI Driver / Cloud Mobile Inv	Yes	Yes	Yes
On-Site Service	ON-SITE: Customer on-site inventory management within the customer’s facility	Thomas Truck Cart / De-trashed	Yes	VMI Driver / Cloud Mobile Inv	Yes	Yes	Yes
Integrated Services	INTEGRATED SERVICES: Provide customer on-site specialized services beyond traditional services	Thomas Truck Cart / De-trashed	Yes	VMI Driver / Cloud Mobile Inv	Yes	Yes	Yes

Improves the customer experience by having the right products on hand

Reduce stockouts and downtime without overstocking or carrying excess safety stock

Increases inventory turns and reduces carrying costs of inventory

Reduces purchasing administration costs

Improves space utilization and reduces inventory storage space

Increases end users and manufacturing productivity

Increases inventory control and accuracy

Lower overall inventory management costs

Seamless deliveries

Enhanced inventory visibility through our cloud mobile inventory management solution

In addition to on-site inventory management support, every TIMS account is assigned a dedicated Production Customer Service Specialist (PCSS). Your PCSS will provide a high-touch, 360-degree supply chain management experience designed to provide peace of mind over your inventory – allowing you and your team to focus fully on the science and research at hand.

Our PCSSs have committed themselves to the Thomas Scientific portfolio and are experts in determining which products your facility requires to remain in optimal working order. They also have their fingers on the pulse of quotes, returns, and new product needs, and will work hand-in-hand with your on-site rep to quickly resolve any technical or logistical issues that may arise. Other responsibilities include:

Onboarding/documentation of new and existing customer requirements
Proactive review and management of customer’s critical materials
Coordination of communication across TIMS functions: purchasing, quality, transportation, and more
Setup of customer part numbers into ERP as requested
Expedition of customer backlog as needed
Contribution to customer review process and presentations

Thomas Scientific’s dedicated Production Customer Service Team works tirelessly to ensure quality management of customer-specific requirements, order accuracy, on-time delivery, certifications, and communication. Fill out the form below to learn more about how we can help optimize your supply chain.

Thomas Inventory Management Solutions Powered by Cloud-Based Technology

Thomas Scientific leverages the best-in-class Clear Spider software solution - a cloud-based laboratory inventory management system that gives clients access to real-time information providing more visibility in the supply chain reducing risk and improving inventory management. Our cloud-based mobile app provides enhanced user experience while lowering maintenance and management costs.

Our cloud-based platform is easy-to-implement and easy-to-use. Get your organization up and running in a snap.
Our software can be out-of-the-box or customized to suit your unique business needs – part numbers, shelf life, lot numbers, etc.
Scanning your items increases efficiency and accuracy. Information is captured and posted by Thomas Scientific through a cloud-based mobile app, quickly communicating inventory availability.
Standardized or customized reporting for efficient inventory planning and control.
You can have multiple users with various access levels and permissions to streamline collaboration. Having everyone on the same page saves you time and money.
Since your inventory data resides in the cloud, you have real-time access 24/7 from any device.
The system alerts you when you need to restock product. This makes your business practices more efficient. Pick the right algorithm to minimize your inventory spending.
You will always be operating on the most current inventory platform with no maintenance required.

Clear Spider

What is VMI?

Vendor managed inventory or VMI provides an inventory management solution that is customized to a customer’s unique requirements. Thomas Inventory Management Solutions creates the order for the customer based on demand provided. This supply chain solution increases the customer’s efficiencies and productivity by allowing our experts to take responsibility for order fulfilment and to ensure inventory availability. Based on the agreement with the customer, additional services may include onsite organization and management at the stockroom or point-of-use.

How do you track the inventory?

Our inventory management experts track inventory through Thomas Inventory Management Solution’s best-in-class, cloud-based supply chain solution powdered by Clear Spider. Our mobile software offers visibility into real-time inventory and has an open API platform for seamless integration into your system.

How do I get started with the vendor managed inventory program?

You can expedite the vendor managed inventory process by identifying your list of products to be managed and setting minimum/maximum values for each. It’s also a good idea to make note of your most critical items, along with where and how frequently they are used. Once you’re ready, our Thomas Inventory Management Solutions team will take it from there. We’ll start by conducting a site assessment at your facilities to help determine your needs.

How much does a vendor managed inventory service cost?

The cost of our vendor managed inventory services varies for each level based on the type and scope of service provided. Our solutions are negotiable based on level of service and commitment. We have various levels of supply chain solutions that are specific to YOUR NEEDS. Book a free consultation with our Thomas Inventory Management Solutions experts to get a personalized quote.

How often does inventory replenishment happen?

The frequency of inventory replenishment is customized to the customer’s needs. Typically, our inventory management experts will check and replenish inventory weekly, but it can be more or less frequent depending on the scope of service.

Can I adjust my usage or is this a set commitment?

Absolutely, your Thomas Inventory Management Solutions team will perform periodic inventory reviews to ensure proper stock levels as your usage requirements change or evolve.

What items are eligible for a vendor managed inventory program?

Whatever your inventory management needs are, TIMS can deliver! Any items that are critical to your production needs - including parts in your bill of materials – can be factored into your new supply chain solution. Plus, Thomas Inventory Management Solutions already represents approximately 3,000 manufacturers and over 1 million SKUs and can onboard more suppliers or products at your request.

How does a vendor managed inventory program guarantee stock on products?

Our inventory management experts can reserve inventory for customers based on their level of service and their needs.

How do you ensure the accuracy of an inventory management program?

Our supply chain solution implements a system of checks and balances to ensure accuracy of inventory, invoicing, and delivery. Your TIMS team will work with you to understand your auditing requirement and set up key performance indicators to track and measure performance.

Do you offer onsite services?

Yes! Thomas Inventory Management Solutions can provide onsite personnel to manage your supply chain solution and other processes such as ordering support, receiving services, point-of-use delivery management, de-trashing, recycling, inventory rotation, media preparation, glassware washing, and more! Our experts work with each individual client to determine the level of onsite services that make the most sense for your unique needs.

Infographic - Top 10 Benefits of Inventory Management

TIMS Vendor Managed Inventory Brochure

Thomas Scientific VMI Whitepaper

TIMS ClearSpider Overview

Infographic - Who Needs Inventory Management

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What customers are saying about TIMS...

Totally Effortless!

"Thomas has made it incredibly easy to manage our clean room material. We worked collaboratively to identify the min-max quantities of our material, and after that he has completely been self-sufficient. He fills our racks, makes recommendations that could save us money, and ensures that the process is running smoothly. The only thing I do every week is receive a copy of the material ordered – totally effortless!"

Sean D., Production Supervisor at
a Western US Surgical Systems Manufacturer

A True Representation of Partnership!

"The deployment of Thomas Scientific as a VMI program within our Austin site has aided tremendously in the reduction of managing daily consumable items. This action has freed up employee actions to be used more towards our core competency deliverables. With this introduction our local representative of Thomas Scientific, Melodee Slade, has been a blessing to our Team. Melodee’s engagement towards our business; business needs; and interactions between our team members and management has been a tremendous benefit. Prior to the global pandemic, Melodee had the foresight to review, identify, and obtain items, that are critical to our business operations, well ahead of global stock outs. This is a true representation of partnership and a great understanding of our business continuity, as we look forward to many more years of service."

Thomas L., Production Supervisor and Warehouse Manager for
a Supplier of Critical Subsystems, Ultra-High Purity Cleaning and
Analytical Services to the Semiconductor Industry