Ikea has adopted an inventory system that reduces the amount of time between the recognition that an order needs to be placed and the arrival of the needed merchandise at the seller's store, available for sale. This system is designed to deliver smaller shipments of merchandise on a more frequent basis to retailers which increases product availability and lowers inventory investment. These benefits are attributed to the $q,$ system.

cross$-$docking

UPC

just$-$in$-$time $($JIT$)$

pick ticket

lead time