person who is responsible for it. A shop person who is responsible for ordering parts and supplies, or an inven- tory clerk who exclusively processes all purchase orders, receives deliveries, and makes sure that everything com- ing in matches what was ordered. Consider drop shipping. You may be able to negotiate
with dealers or suppliers a drop shipping method for select parts. With this method, you can order parts or supplies without holding the inventory yourself. Instead, a dealer, wholesaler or manufacturer is responsible for carrying the inventory and shipping the products when you call for them. That way, you don’t worry about inventory holding,
storage or fulfillment. It is a fact that most school bus dealers track your usage and have proactively added to their inventory to service your needs. Using dealers is not limiting, as many good options
are available. Those options include visits to dealers, placing phone orders, or leveraging the bus dealer or bus manufacturer to provide you with ecommerce
platforms that have 24/7 access to parts information and ordering. All school bus manufacturers offer replacement part
programs that are managed through their extensive dealer network, with access to parts distribution cen- ters across North America, to maintain up-time parts delivery cycles.
Common Goals Regardless of the fleet size, the number of maintenance
facilities involved, and whether-or-not they are supported by computer software, all personnel who are involved in school bus inventory management should have a com- mon goal. That goal is to provide the safest and most economical transportation for our most precious cargo. The key issue that is relative to the inventory manage-
ment function, is that management directs the effort to manage cost by setting achievable goals. That process includes planning, organizing and formulating realistic budgets, so as to attain these goals. ●
Robert T. Pudlewski has over four decades of experience in the school bus industry. He is the retired vice president of fleet operations, procurement and maintenance for Laidlaw and is a member of the NSTA Hall of Fame.
INSPIRED GET
Content. Community. Commerce. July 26–31, 2019
Peppermill Resort | Reno, NV
To keep her from becoming a statistic, check out our statistics.
100% visibility. Our Electronic Verifi ed Inspection Reporting (EVIR® paperwork and guesswork out of inspections.
VISIT US ONLINE. Visit
stnexpo.com for more information.
99% customer retention rate. Innovative technology, unsurpassed expertise and proven results. It all adds up to a safer, smarter fl eet with Zonar.
www.stnexpo.com What can a Zonar EVIR® ) system takes the
24/7/365 U.S.-based customer support. Zonar’s telematics pros are dedicated to providing the solutions and support you need.
877.843.3847 •
zonarsystems.com system do for your fl eet? Find out by going to
zonarsystems.com/evir-summary or give us a call today. EXPO
Reno19_ADS.indd 5 12/18/18 3:44 PM
Client: Zonar Systems – Child Safety Ad #3 - Becoming a statistic Created by: Publication: Dimensions:
GSS Communiqations, 323.939.1181
www.stnonline.com 23
Student Transportation News, STN, 11/17 issue 1/3rd Page 4.5625”x4.875” Non-bleed
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52