In retail, getting products where they need to be — right time, right place — can make all the difference. And there's a good reason for that. Retailers are dealing with more competition and higher customer expectations than ever, which means their supply chains need to work like clockwork.
That's where On-Time In-Full (OTIF) compliance comes in. It's a way to measure how well orders are being delivered exactly when and how they should be. Some retailers are doing really well with this, while others are still working on getting their numbers up.
OTIF isn't just another metric to track. It affects everything from how happy your customers are to how much money you're spending on operations. When your OTIF scores are strong, you'll see fewer stockouts, lower penalty fees, and better relationships with everyone involved.
There are two parts that work together: on-time delivery and in-full delivery. When an order arrives exactly when promised and contains everything that was ordered — that's OTIF compliance at its best. Together, these elements give you a clear picture of how reliable your supply chain really is.
Getting good OTIF scores isn't always easy. Here are the main challenges retailers face today:
When you get OTIF right, good things start happening across your business. Your customers are happier because they're getting what they need, when they need it. And happy customers tend to stick around and buy more.
The financial benefits are just as clear. You won't have to deal with those costly penalties for late or incomplete deliveries. Plus, you can say goodbye to spending extra on rush shipping just to keep customers satisfied.
Your relationships with suppliers get better too. When everyone's working together smoothly, there's more trust and collaboration. This often leads to better terms, more flexibility, and stronger partnerships overall.
Then there's inventory management. Better OTIF means you can be smarter about your stock levels. You won't need to keep as much safety stock, and you'll waste less money on storing products that aren't moving.
And here's something interesting — when you're really good at OTIF, it becomes a competitive advantage. Your reliability performance stands out in the market, especially when others are struggling with their deliveries.
Getting better at OTIF takes smart planning and the right tools. The good news? There are some practical steps you can take right now.
Start with prediction. Modern analytics can help you spot demand patterns before they happen. By looking at your sales history and market trends, you'll have a better idea of what's coming. This means fewer surprises and better preparation.
Your suppliers are crucial partners in this. Be clear about what you need from them, and share your data. When suppliers can see what's happening in real-time, they can adjust quickly to help you succeed.
Technology makes a big difference. Good inventory management systems show you exactly what's in stock and where. They can even automate your reordering process, so you're always stocked up on what matters.
Transportation is key. Work with carriers you can count on, and use smart routing to avoid delays. And keep an eye on those shipments — catching problems early means you can fix them before they affect your customers.
Finally, measurement matters. You need to track how you're doing with OTIF regularly. Look for patterns in your data. What's working well? Where are the holdups? Use this information to keep getting better.
The best part? When you put all these pieces together, they work even better. Your systems start talking to each other, your processes become more efficient, and your OTIF scores improve. And that means more success for your business.
Getting OTIF right takes more than just good intentions — it takes the right partner. That's where Productiv comes in. We've built our solutions specifically for retailers who want to step up their supply chain game.
Knowing exactly what you have, where you have it, and when you need more — that's what our inventory system delivers. No more guessing games or surprise stockouts. Our technology shows you the whole picture in real time, so you can make smart decisions fast.
Moving products shouldn't be a headache. We've got relationships with the best carriers and routes planned down to the minute. This means your deliveries arrive when they should, without burning through your budget.
Good supplier relationships are worth their weight in gold. Our platform makes it easy to stay connected with your suppliers, share important updates, and keep everyone on the same page. When everyone's in sync, orders flow smoothly.
Manual processes? They're slow and prone to mistakes. Our automated systems handle the picking, packing, and shipping with precision. Orders go out faster and more accurately — and your customers notice the difference.
We don't just collect data — we turn it into insights you can actually use. Our analytics help you spot trends, fix problems before they grow, and keep pushing your OTIF scores higher.
When you work with us, you get more than just a service provider. You get a partner who understands retail logistics inside and out. We scale with your business, adapt to your needs, and help you stay ahead in a tough market.
And the results? They speak for themselves. Better OTIF scores. Happier customers. Lower costs. That's what happens when you have the right partner on your side.
Want to see how we can help your business? Let's talk about your specific challenges and how we can tackle them together.