Ready to start achieving better spare parts inventory management?
This FAQ page will tell you all you need to know to get started.
Why was SparePartsKnowHow.com created?
Phillip Slater, the Founder of SparePartsKnowHow.com, started his career as a maintenance engineer. During that time he learnt two things real fast.
- If you don’t have the right spares, then production stops until you do.
- There is a big difference between managing inventory and managing spare parts.
These two facts lead Phillip to develop tools and techniques specifically for managing spare parts. He applied these as a consultant and had outstanding results.
Phillip’s clients then requested a way to get continuing access to this critical information online. And so SparePartsKnowHow.com was born.
You might be interested in reading this article: Adopting a Zero Inventory Mindset.
What are Your Mission, Vision and Values?
Our mission is to provide practical insights into spare parts inventory management that enable people to make a positive difference to their company’s results.
We achieve this by providing a comprehensive range of resources and training courses.
You can read about our Mission, Vison, and Values at SparePartsKnowHow.com
How is Managing Spare Parts Different to Other Inventory?
The practical reality is that there is a big difference between managing inventory and managing spare parts.
The simplest explanation is to think about insurance spares.
Almost all of what you read about inventory management is based on a retail model of inventory. This means that if something doesn’t move then you get rid of it. With spare parts you can’t do this. The best example is insurance spares. You want them in stock, but you don’t want to have to use them because that means that something has gone horribly wrong!
If your inventory management is largely based on a retail model then you will not have what you need, when you need it.
This is why some of the world’s best known companies utilize the training and services at SparePartsKnowHow.com.
You might be interested in reading this article on The Rules of Spare Parts Management.
Want to know more? You might be interested in this video The Two Big Secrets of Spare Parts Management.
Why Use Online Resources?
Accessing online resources provides many benefits, the most obvious of these are:
- Cost savings: no travel and accommodation expenses
- Convenience: no extended time from work
- Flexibility: study the content when it suits you
Plus, here are a few less obvious reasons:
- You can pause and repeat the video content
- You can review items that you might be expected to know – without embarrassment
- You can move ahead and work at your own pace
- There is no-one standing over you saying, ‘do you understand this?’
On all measures our online resources approach is superior to traditional class room training.
Want to know more? You might be also interested in reading this article How to Stop Wasting Time and Energy with Spare Parts Inventory Management Training.
How Does Studying Online Work?
Enrolling in a program or course unlocks access to the content for that program or course. You can then study that content wherever you have access to the Internet.
With our self-paced programs there are no classes to attend and you can study at your own pace. You can ‘dip’ in and out of the content whenever it suits you. The only limitation is that there is a set time limit for the completion of each program or course.
Your material and presentation is very clear and easy to understand and I have learned so much. I wasn’t trained to manage an inventory but have grown into this position.
Your material and presentation is very clear and easy to understand and I have learned so much. I wasn’t trained to manage an inventory but have grown into this position.
Denise Garner
Spare Parts Manager Customer Care Group
Haarslev
What is the Difference Between Self-paced, Instructor-led, and Team Programs?
Self-paced is where we provide all the content, online, in a series of lessons. You access this content at a time and a pace that suits you. The only limitation is that there is a set time limit for the completion of each program or course.
Instructor-led provides more structure plus direct contact with the course instructor. You get all the benefits of online training but added interaction and the requirement to attend online class sessions. We believe that our instructor-led spare parts management training provides you with the best training experience.
Team training suits organizations that are seeking to achieve significant improvements in their spare parts management through simultaneously training their team members. These could be from different locations, all at the same location, or even operating back-to-back shifts. All of our courses can be provided as team training programs.
What Programs Are Available?
You can select from three levels of access to the content.
Mastery
The Mastery Program is the most comprehensive and unique spare parts management training and support available today. This program includes all of our content and support. It also includes access to both of our certificate courses.
Advanced
The Advanced level includes access to 8 modules of collated articles and videos covering all of the issues faced during the spare parts inventory management life-cycle. You can choose to access this to solve ongoing problems or to demonstrate your expertise with our Advanced Spare Parts Management Certificate. Certificate access is included in this level.
Basic
The Basic level includes access to 2 modules of collated articles and videos, providing a general introduction to spare parts inventory management. This includes how to identify critical spare parts and how to set ReOrder Points (ROP) and ReOrder Quantities (ROQ) without significant data or confusing formulas. In addition, there is an option to complete our Basics of Spare Parts Management Certificate.
Inventory Reduction and Optimization
Our outome-oriented Inventory Reduction and Optimization program is designed to help your team deliver operationally sustainable reductions in your spare parts inventory. This program involves training your team and then coaching them through the implementation of the specific actions. This is a team only course.
Not sure what training you need? Read this article: Which Type of Spare Parts Management Training is Right for You?
Otherwise, check out our current training options.
If you are thinking about training a team and would like a tailored solution, then please visit our Team page HERE.
How Does the Mastery Level Work?
This level provides you with the greatest access to our content and our advisory support service.
This option is specifically designed for people who are seeking additional insight and advisory support, not just training.
Undertaking this option will provide you with:
- One-to-One Spare Parts Management Coaching – you can ask us for advice and to answer your most pressing questions.
- Full access to our Know-How Center – 24/7 access to hundreds of fully collated and organized articles and videos relating to spare parts management.
- Our Advanced Spare Parts Management Certificate – this is our flagship training course, covering all aspects of spare parts management. To achieve the certificate you will need to pass a series of quizzes, we don’t just give this out for ‘showing up’.
- Our Basic Spare Parts Management Certificate – this certificate covers the basic level training content – a quick way to get your first level of qualification!
- Priority access to all ‘guest expert’ sessions – this is where we bring in a subject matter expert each month – and we have had some really smart people (that you don’t normally get access to) covering a whole range of topics.
- A complimentary copy of our special report – The What, Why and How of Industrial Vending Machines
- A complimentary copy of the ebook – The Optimization Trap
- Our Online ROP calculator – a quick and easy way to review the validity of day-to-day stock holding decisions.
- Best Practice Analysis – this is a one-on-one session during which we use our Best Practice Matrix to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your current approach to spare parts inventory management. From this you can work out the best way to deliver high-impact results.
- Downloadable copies of our Policy templates – no need to ‘re-invent the wheel’, just use our templates and then modify them to suit your company.
And this all comes with a full 12 months access.
Read more here >>>
I want to compliment Phillip Slater on the professionalism, ease of understanding and practicality of the modules. SparePartsKnowHow.com is of a world class standard and suitable for any industry in the world.
I want to compliment Phillip Slater on the professionalism, ease of understanding and practicality of the modules. SparePartsKnowHow.com is of a world class standard and suitable for any industry in the world.
Ernie Thaver
Supply Demand Manager
Sasol Mining
How Do I Decide Which Course is Right For Me?
That really depends on your job role and goals.
To help you make this decision, we have created a listing with what we believe is the appropriate content and program for a number of common roles. These include:
Storeroom & Warehouse Personnel
Supervisors and Managers
Improvement Program Leaders
If you are thinking about training a team and would like a tailored solution, then please visit our Team page HERE.
How Do I Enrol and Pay?
Enrolling is easy!
Visit our Enrolling at SparePartsKnowHow.com is Easy page for information on both enrollment and payment options.
Can We Get a Group Discount
Yes. For all our training options we offer an attractive discount plus extra benefits if you sign up a group of 10 or more participants.
Read about the discount and benefits of signing up the team
What Support Do I Get?
At all levels, if you have a question about any content included in that level then just email us using the Online Coaching feature and you will receive a prompt response.
At the Mastery level, there is additional support where you can ask us for advice and to answer your most pressing questions relating to any spare parts management issue.
This support is provided by Phillip Slater, Founder of SparePartsKnowHow.com.
How Do I Qualify for a Certificate?
There is nothing like a certificate to validate your studies and know-how!
To qualify for a certificate you need to complete the quizzes associated with one of our certificate programs or courses. These are clearly labelled on the information page for each course.
Please allow 7 days for certificates to be issued.
The online training program helped our team to better understand the complexities of spare parts management. We recommend [this] for anyone looking to expand their understanding and skills with spare parts management.
The online training program helped our team to better understand the complexities of spare parts management. We recommend [this] for anyone looking to expand their understanding and skills with spare parts management.
Askar Andirov & Sabit Trumov
Spare Parts Superintendents
Karachaganak Petroleum
How Long Do I Have to Complete a Course?
The time allocated to complete our courses is indicated on the information page for each course. See individual pages for details.
Importantly, for self-paced courses you can work through the content at a pace that suits you.
The choice is yours whether you read one article during your lunch break or study a whole module intensively.
What About Continuing Professional Development and CPD Hours Relating to Spare Parts Management?
Many professional organizations require members to log their Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and some also count the number of hours spent in CPD. Our courses can contribute to your CPD requirements. Some of the organizations which require this include:
- The Chartered Institute for Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
- Australasian Supply Chain Institute (ASCI)
- Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)
- American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS)
- Institute of Supply Management (ISM)
- Project Management Institute (PMI)
- Association of Asset Management Professionals (AMP)
- Asset Management Council (AMC)
Please check with the relevant organization.