A client sells a canned beverage product that can be sold in various packs (6-pk, 8-pk, 12-pk, 24-pk), depending on the customer's requirements. The product itself is produced as a single can and is "kitted" into a pack as a final packaging step while at the mfg location...these are "produce-to-stock" purchase orders that are typically a 12-pk which is the NS inventory UOM for the item. When a sales order for this item is sold as a different pack-size, 6-pk for instance, the fulfillment warehouse location must un-kit the 12-pk to build 2 6-pks. Complicating things is that all fulfillment locations are 3PL's, each with their own WMS. What would be the NS "leading practice" to best manage sales orders and inventory?

I’d use predictive analytics. Error on the side that costs the least amount for kitting labor. On the order side, have a path to recommend and discount in-stock kits.