Software vendors routinely ask customers - especially big companies - to audit the usage of their products. Autodesk® is no exception so it came as no surprise when they asked one of our customers, a major Brazilian retailer, to conduct an audit. Thanks to SmartCenter™, by Almaden, Inc., they easily passed with flying colors. Large companies such as online and physical retailers are a prime target for such audits. Most large companies allow easy downloading of commercial software products, yet rarely have the necessary controls in place to easily, and cost-effectively, pass a routine audit.

Imagine a scenario where a major retailer like Walmart never runs out of popular products on its shelves, thanks to a system where suppliers monitor and restock inventory themselves. This is the essence of Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), a strategy that is reshaping traditional supply chain dynamics. By entrusting suppliers with inventory management, companies are streamlining operations and reducing costs.