title: Automated purchasing: Forecasts to determine stock levels and print orders.
abstract: An automated purchasing system to optimize inventory levels of frozen foods, including meat items, while minimizing stock outages, was developed and implemented. Menu item forecast data were coordinated with on-hand quantities to automate the calculation of order quantities and printing purchase requisitions. The model selected also incorporated: (a) Safety stock level, (b) accumulated forecasts, and (c) accumulated orders already placed. The project was smoothly integrated into an on-going computer-assisted management system. All programs functioned as planned; computer documents were complete and accurate. The system design was retained for use in the foodservice operation.
mesh_terms: D003201:Computers; D005519:Food Preservation; D005521:Food Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005628:Frozen Foods; D007445:Inventories, Hospital / Q000379:methods; D008460:Meat; D008612:Menu Planning; D008923:Missouri; D011682:Purchasing, Hospital / Q000379:methods*