RevLogical CTO Explains Why and How His Company Rewrote the Book on Inventory Management

In this exclusive podcast interview, Ryan Wager says it’s not enough to perfect inbound, outbound or store floor processes. The key to success is controlling the outcome of every item from the loading dock to point of sale.

A forklift operator moves boxes in a RevLogical distribution center

by Your Edge Blog Team

March 24, 2022

RevLogical has a mission: rescue and redistribute inventory that can’t be sold through traditional e-commerce or brick-and-mortar channels. And Ryan Wager, RevLogical’s President and Chief Technology Officer, has a mantra to ensure the success of that mission: poke holes (in systems, processes and strategies) then find synergies.

That’s because there are no “proven models” for the RevLogical team to follow with regards to inventory management or two-way supply chain flows. Its SKU set changes hourly, and inventory volumes are unpredictable. It doesn’t order and stock goods in a controlled manner like most other retailers or warehouse operators, either. But that’s even more reason why it needs total control over its inventory and processes. It must be able to track and trace every item on its books, whether located at the warehouse, on a truck or at one of its RetailRebel stores.

So, Ryan and team started digging into processes, deconstructing technology systems (quite literally down to the raw components of a label), and then building a highly innovative, technology-driven operating model. Today, it can rehome very diverse and valuable over, short and damaged (OS&D) inventory in the secondary market in a unique and eco-friendly manner.

What you’ll learn in the next 15 minutes will both impress and inspire:

How RevLogical Used RFID to Rewrite the Book on Inventory Management

Only have a few minutes? Don’t miss these insights:

(1:06) What problem RevLogical was created to solve in the retail industry and supply chain.
(6:27) The unique way in which RevLogical is using RFID to increase operational visibility and control. (And how it was able to invent/design such a unique and effective RFID system without having any prior RFID expertise.)
(8:21) Why concerns about data integrity drove the Revlogical team toward RFID specifically, not just toward a “track and trace” solution more broadly.
(9:48) Why the RevLogical team credits failures with its success and the important lessons learned during the solution design and deployment phases.
(12:05) Why RevLogical didn’t necessarily strive to change outcomes so much as the paths taken to achieve those outcomes. (And the metrics it used to define success from a technology and process perspective.)

(14:00) The advice Ryan has for other logistics companies and retailers who may be struggling to get a grasp on their inventory or smooth out workflows.

And don’t forget to download the RevLogical Success Story here to get the scoop on the specific technologies used for this solution.