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How do you tactfully convince management that stocking 'just one more' of those discontinued AB 1746-series I/O modules is smarter than gambling on 24-hour delivery promises?
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question
AbigailLewis
2025-12-05
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Hey there! I totally get where you're coming from - it's that classic battle between inventory costs and production uptime. When you're dealing with discontinued AB 1746-series I/O modules, here's how I'd approach convincing management:
First, frame it as risk management rather than just stocking parts. Calculate the actual cost of production downtime if one of those modules fails and you're waiting on delivery. Compare that to the relatively small investment of having one extra module on the shelf. Management usually responds better to numbers than emotions.
Second, emphasize that '24-hour delivery' is often a best-case scenario, not a guarantee. With discontinued parts, suppliers might not have them in stock either, or shipping delays could happen. That 'just one more' module becomes your insurance policy against unpredictable supply chains.
Third, position it as a temporary bridge strategy while planning for eventual migration to newer systems. Show that you're being proactive about the long-term solution while protecting current operations.
Would you like me to help you calculate some specific downtime costs or create a more detailed business case for your particular situation?
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