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Operations Glossary
The language of operations.
Plain-English definitions of the terms that run inventory, procurement, accounting, the warehouse floor, freight and customs, tax filing and payroll — with the formulas behind them. 259 terms across 10 areas, and counting.
From the register · sample entries
- Economic Order Quantity EOQ noun
- The order size that minimises ordering and holding cost combined.
- Incoterms noun
- Standard trade terms defining who pays for and risks each leg of a shipment.
- Cash Conversion Cycle CCC noun
- How many days cash is tied up between paying suppliers and collecting.
Browse by area
Ten areas of operations, each with its own vocabulary. Pick one to filter the register below.
ABC Analysis
Classifying inventory into A, B and C tiers by value or importance.
Read definitionAccounts Payable
APMoney your business owes to suppliers for goods or services received.
Read definitionAccounts Receivable
ARMoney owed to your business by customers for sales made on credit.
Read definitionAccrual Accounting
Recognising income and expenses when they are earned or incurred, not when cash moves.
Read definitionAccrued Expense
A cost incurred but not yet invoiced or paid.
Read definitionAffordable Housing Levy
A Kenyan payroll levy on gross pay, matched by the employer.
Read definitionAging Report
A breakdown of receivables or payables by how overdue they are.
Read definitionAir Waybill
AWBThe transport document for air freight, used as a receipt but not as title.
Read definitionAnomaly Detection
Automatically flagging transactions or patterns that deviate from the norm.
Read definitionAnti-Bribery Compliance
Controls preventing improper payments or inducements in business dealings.
Read definitionApplication Programming Interface
APIA defined interface letting one system read from or write to another.
Read definitionApproval Workflow
A defined chain of sign-offs a transaction must pass before proceeding.
Read definitionApproved Vendor List
AVLThe controlled set of suppliers cleared to receive orders.
Read definitionAssembly and Disassembly
Building items from components, or breaking them back down into parts.
Read definitionAsset Tracking
Monitoring the location, custody and condition of physical assets.
Read definitionAudit Trail
A tamper-evident record of who did what, when, and to which record.
Read definitionAvailable to Promise
ATPThe stock you can genuinely commit to a new order after existing allocations.
Read definitionAverage Order Value
AOVThe average revenue per order over a period.
Read definitionBackorder
An order accepted for an item that is currently out of stock.
Read definitionBad Debt Provision
An estimated allowance for receivables you do not expect to collect.
Read definitionBalance Sheet
A snapshot of what the business owns and owes at a point in time.
Read definitionBank Reconciliation
Matching ledger cash records against the bank statement.
Read definitionBarcode
A machine-readable code printed on an item, label or location.
Read definitionBatch Picking
Picking the same item for several orders in one trip, then sorting.
Read definitionBid Evaluation
Scoring supplier submissions against agreed criteria to select a winner.
Read definitionBill of Lading
BoLThe carrier document that acts as receipt, contract and title for sea freight.
Read definitionBill of Materials
BOMThe structured list of components required to make one unit of a product.
Read definitionBin Location
A specific addressable storage position within a warehouse.
Read definitionBlanket Purchase Order
A single PO covering multiple deliveries over a period at agreed terms.
Read definitionBonded Warehouse
A customs-controlled facility where imports are stored before duty is paid.
Read definitionBreak-Even Point
The sales level at which total revenue exactly covers total cost.
Read definitionBudget Variance
The difference between budgeted and actual figures for a period.
Read definitionCarrying Cost
The total cost of holding inventory over time.
Read definitionCash Conversion Cycle
CCCHow many days cash is tied up between paying suppliers and collecting from customers.
Read definitionCash Flow Statement
A record of actual cash moving in and out, split by activity.
Read definitionCategory Management
Managing related purchases as a portfolio with a dedicated strategy.
Read definitionCertificate of Conformity
CoCProof from a pre-shipment inspection that goods meet destination standards.
Read definitionChain of Custody
An unbroken record of who held an item at each point in its journey.
Read definitionChart of Accounts
COAThe structured list of accounts transactions can be posted to.
Read definitionChurn Rate
The rate at which customers stop buying over a period.
Read definitionClearing Agent
A licensed agent who handles customs formalities for an importer.
Read definitionConflict of Interest
CoIA personal interest that could improperly influence a buying decision.
Read definitionConsignment Inventory
Stock held on your premises but still owned by the supplier until it is used or sold.
Read definitionContainer Freight Station
CFSAn off-port facility where containers are unpacked, stored and cleared.
Read definitionContract Lifecycle Management
CLMManaging contracts from drafting through renewal or exit.
Read definitionContribution Margin
Revenue minus variable costs — what each sale contributes to fixed costs and profit.
Read definitionCost, Insurance and Freight
CIFThe seller pays freight and insurance to the destination port; the buyer clears customs.
Read definitionCost Avoidance
Savings from preventing a cost increase rather than reducing current spend.
Read definitionCost Centre
A department or unit that costs are collected against for accountability.
Read definitionCost of Goods Sold
COGSThe direct cost of the products a business sold in a period.
Read definitionCredit Limit
The maximum outstanding balance a customer may hold on credit.
Read definitionCredit Note
A document reducing the amount a customer owes on a prior invoice.
Read definitionCross-Docking
Moving goods from inbound to outbound with little or no storage.
Read definitionCustomer 360
A unified view of everything you know about a customer.
Read definitionCustomer Lifetime Value
CLVThe total profit expected from a customer over the whole relationship.
Read definitionCustoms Clearance
The process of getting goods legally released across a border.
Read definitionCycle Count
Counting a subset of inventory on a rolling schedule instead of all at once.
Read definitionCycle Stock
The portion of inventory that is consumed and replenished in the normal cycle.
Read definitionDashboard
A curated view of current metrics for a specific audience and decision.
Read definitionData Hygiene
The ongoing practice of keeping records accurate, complete and consistent.
Read definitionData Migration
Moving existing records into a new system in a usable state.
Read definitionData Protection Compliance
Handling personal data lawfully, with a defined basis, purpose and retention.
Read definitionDays Inventory Outstanding
DIOThe average number of days stock is held before it is sold.
Read definitionDays Payable Outstanding
DPOThe average number of days you take to pay suppliers.
Read definitionDays Sales Outstanding
DSOThe average number of days it takes to collect payment after a sale.
Read definitionDead Stock
Inventory that is unlikely to ever sell.
Read definitionDebit Note
A document raised to reduce what you owe a supplier.
Read definitionDeduplication
Finding and merging records that describe the same real-world thing.
Read definitionDeferred Revenue
Money received before the goods or services have been delivered.
Read definitionDelegation of Authority
DoAThe documented limits within which each role may commit the organisation.
Read definitionDelivered Duty Paid
DDPThe seller delivers to your door with all duties and clearance paid.
Read definitionDelivery Note
A document accompanying goods that the customer signs on receipt.
Read definitionDemand Forecasting
Estimating future demand to plan purchasing and stock levels.
Read definitionDemurrage
Charges incurred when containers or vehicles are held beyond free time.
Read definitionDepreciation
Spreading the cost of a fixed asset across its useful life.
Read definitionDock-to-Stock Time
How long it takes received goods to become available to pick.
Read definitionDock Scheduling
Booking arrival slots so inbound and outbound vehicles do not collide.
Read definitionDouble-Entry Bookkeeping
Recording every transaction as equal and opposite debits and credits.
Read definitionDual Sourcing
Deliberately qualifying two suppliers for the same item.
Read definitionE-Invoicing
Issuing invoices in a structured electronic format, often validated by the tax authority.
Read definitionE-Procurement
Running the purchasing process electronically end to end.
Read definitionEarly Payment Discount
A price reduction offered for settling an invoice ahead of terms.
Read definitionEBITDA
EBITDAEarnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.
Read definitionEconomic Order Quantity
EOQThe order size that minimises the combined cost of ordering and holding stock.
Read definitionEmployee Lifecycle
The stages of an employment relationship from hiring to exit.
Read definitioneTIMS
Kenya’s electronic tax invoice management system for real-time invoice transmission.
Read definitionExchange Rate Gain or Loss
The profit or loss caused by currency movement between transaction and settlement.
Read definitionExpense Claim
A staff request for reimbursement of costs paid personally.
Read definitionExpiry Management
Tracking shelf life so stock is used or cleared before it expires.
Read definitionFill Rate
The share of demand met from stock on hand without delay.
Read definitionFirst Expired, First Out
FEFOPicking the stock with the nearest expiry date first, regardless of receipt order.
Read definitionFirst In, First Out
FIFOIssuing or costing the oldest stock first.
Read definitionFixed Asset Register
The authoritative list of capital assets with cost, location and depreciation.
Read definitionFramework Agreement
A pre-negotiated agreement suppliers are called off from as needs arise.
Read definitionFree on Board
FOBThe seller delivers goods onto the vessel; the buyer carries cost and risk from there.
Read definitionFreight Forwarder
An agent who arranges transport of goods on your behalf.
Read definitionGeneral Ledger
GLThe master record of every financial transaction, organised by account.
Read definitionGlobal Trade Item Number
GTINA globally unique product identifier used in barcodes and trade.
Read definitionGoods Issue
The transaction that removes stock from inventory when it leaves.
Read definitionGoods Received Note
GRNA record confirming what was actually received against a purchase order.
Read definitionGoods Received Not Invoiced
GRNIStock received into the books before the supplier invoice has arrived.
Read definitionGross Margin
The percentage of revenue left after the cost of goods sold.
Read definitionHard Savings
Savings that show up as a measurable reduction in actual spend.
Read definitionHarmonised System Code
HS CodeThe international tariff classification code that determines duty on a product.
Read definitionHazardous Materials
HazMatGoods needing special handling, labelling and declaration in transit.
Read definitionHeadcount
The number of people employed, counted on an agreed basis.
Read definitionHedging
Locking in a future rate or price to reduce exposure to movement.
Read definitionHire Purchase
Acquiring an asset by instalments, taking ownership on the final payment.
Read definitionHoliday Pay
Pay due for public holidays, or paid during annual leave.
Read definitionHub and Spoke Distribution
Routing goods through a central hub rather than point to point.
Read definitionHuman Resource Information System
HRISThe system of record for employee data, contracts and HR processes.
Read definitionHurdle Rate
The minimum return a proposed investment must clear to be approved.
Read definitionIdempotency
The property that repeating an operation has no additional effect.
Read definitionImport Declaration Form
IDFA pre-shipment import authorisation required in Kenya and similar regimes.
Read definitionImport Duty
Tax charged on goods entering a country, based on their classified value.
Read definitionIncome Statement
A summary of revenue, costs and profit over a period.
Read definitionIncoterms
Standard trade terms defining who pays for and risks each leg of a shipment.
Read definitionInternal Control
A process designed to prevent or detect error and fraud.
Read definitionInventory Aging
A breakdown of stock by how long it has been held.
Read definitionInventory Traceability
The ability to trace any item forward and backward through the chain.
Read definitionInventory Turnover
How many times inventory is sold and replaced over a period.
Read definitionInventory Valuation
Assigning a monetary value to the stock you hold.
Read definitionInventory Write-Off
Removing worthless stock from the books as an expense.
Read definitionInvoice
A seller’s itemised request for payment for goods or services.
Read definitionISO Standards
International standards for management systems, quality and information security.
Read definitionJob Costing
Accumulating cost against a specific job, project or order.
Read definitionJournal Entry
A single balanced record of debits and credits posted to the ledger.
Read definitionJust in Time
JITReceiving stock only as it is needed, holding inventory near zero.
Read definitionKanban
A signal-driven replenishment system that pulls work through a process.
Read definitionKey Performance Indicator
KPIA quantified measure tracked against a target to judge performance.
Read definitionKitting
Combining separate items into a single sellable or issuable unit.
Read definitionKRA PIN
The taxpayer identification number issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority.
Read definitionLanded Cost
The total cost of a product once it arrives, including freight, duties and fees.
Read definitionLead Time
The total time between placing an order and receiving the goods.
Read definitionLeave Accrual
Leave entitlement building up over time as an employee works.
Read definitionLot & Batch Tracking
Grouping stock by production batch for traceability and expiry control.
Read definitionMake to Order
MTOProducing only after a confirmed customer order is received.
Read definitionMaster Data Management
MDMGoverning the core reference records the whole business depends on.
Read definitionMaterial Yield
The usable output obtained from a given quantity of input material.
Read definitionMaverick Spend
Purchasing made outside approved processes or contracts.
Read definitionMin/Max Inventory
A replenishment rule that orders up to a maximum whenever stock hits a minimum.
Read definitionMobile Scanning
Capturing warehouse transactions on a handheld or phone at the point of work.
Read definitionMonth-End Close
The process of finalising and locking a period’s financial records.
Read definitionMulti-Currency Accounting
Recording transactions in foreign currencies alongside a base reporting currency.
Read definitionNational Social Security Fund
NSSFKenya’s mandatory pension contribution deducted from pay and matched by the employer.
Read definitionNearshoring
Moving supply closer to the point of demand, usually into a nearer region.
Read definitionNegative Stock
A recorded quantity below zero, signalling a sequencing or accuracy failure.
Read definitionNet Pay
The amount an employee actually receives after all deductions.
Read definitionNon-Conformance Report
NCRA formal record of work or goods that failed to meet requirements.
Read definitionOffline-First
Designing software to keep working without a network connection.
Read definitionOpen Purchase Order
A PO that has been issued but not yet fully received and invoiced.
Read definitionOrder-to-Cash
O2CThe end-to-end process from customer order to collected payment.
Read definitionOverall Equipment Effectiveness
OEEA composite measure of how productively equipment is actually used.
Read definitionOvertime
Hours worked beyond normal hours, usually paid at a premium rate.
Read definitionP9 Form
An annual tax deduction card summarising an employee’s pay and PAYE for the year.
Read definitionPacking Slip
A document listing the contents of a shipment.
Read definitionPallet
A standard platform used to move and store goods as one handling unit.
Read definitionPar Level
The standard quantity a location should hold at the start of each period.
Read definitionPay As You Earn
PAYEIncome tax deducted from salaries by the employer and remitted monthly.
Read definitionPayment Terms
The agreed timing and conditions for settling an invoice.
Read definitionPayroll
The process of calculating and paying employee remuneration and deductions.
Read definitionPayslip
The itemised statement of an employee’s pay and deductions for a period.
Read definitionPetty Cash
A small cash float held for minor, immediate purchases.
Read definitionPick Face
The accessible front position where an item is picked from.
Read definitionPicking
Retrieving items from storage to fulfil an order.
Read definitionPick List
The instruction set telling a picker what to collect and where from.
Read definitionPoint of Sale
POSThe system where a retail sale is completed and recorded.
Read definitionPredictive Analytics
Using historical patterns to estimate what is likely to happen next.
Read definitionPrepaid Expense
A payment made in advance for benefit not yet received.
Read definitionPrice List
A defined set of prices applied to a customer group, channel or period.
Read definitionProcure-to-Pay
P2PThe end-to-end process from requisition to supplier payment.
Read definitionProduction Routing
The defined sequence of operations and workstations used to make an item.
Read definitionProforma Invoice
A preliminary invoice issued before supply, often to secure payment or clear customs.
Read definitionProof of Delivery
PODEvidence that a consignment was received by the intended party.
Read definitionPunchout Catalogue
Shopping a supplier’s live catalogue from inside your own purchasing system.
Read definitionPurchase Order
POA formal buyer document authorising a purchase from a supplier.
Read definitionPurchase Price Variance
PPVThe difference between the price paid and the expected or standard price.
Read definitionPurchase Requisition
PRAn internal request to buy, submitted for approval before a PO is raised.
Read definitionPutaway
Moving received goods to their correct storage locations.
Read definitionQuality Hold
Blocking stock from use or sale pending inspection or a decision.
Read definitionQuick Ratio
A liquidity test of whether assets excluding stock cover current liabilities.
Read definitionQuota
A limit on the quantity of a good that may be imported in a period.
Read definitionQuotation
A seller’s formal offer of prices and terms to a prospective buyer.
Read definitionRate Limiting
Capping how many requests a client may make in a period.
Read definitionRemittance Advice
A notice telling a supplier which invoices a payment covers.
Read definitionReorder Point
ROPThe stock level that triggers a new purchase or production order.
Read definitionRequest for Information
RFIAn early, non-binding request to learn what the market can offer.
Read definitionRequest for Proposal
RFPAn invitation asking suppliers how they would solve a problem, not just what they charge.
Read definitionRequest for Quotation
RFQAn invitation to suppliers to submit priced quotes for specified items.
Read definitionRetention Policy
Rules for how long records are kept before archiving or deletion.
Read definitionReturn Merchandise Authorisation
RMAAn approved reference allowing a customer to return goods.
Read definitionRole-Based Access Control
RBACGranting system permissions through roles rather than to individuals.
Read definitionSafety Stock
A buffer of extra inventory held to protect against demand or supply variability.
Read definitionSales Order
SOA confirmed customer order accepted for fulfilment.
Read definitionSanctions Screening
Checking counterparties against restricted-party and sanctions lists.
Read definitionSavings Realisation
Confirming that negotiated savings actually reached the accounts.
Read definitionScrap Rate
The proportion of production output rejected as unusable.
Read definitionSegregation of Duties
SoDSplitting a transaction so no one person controls it end to end.
Read definitionSerialized Inventory
Tracking individual units by a unique serial number.
Read definitionService Level
The target probability of meeting demand without a stockout.
Read definitionSignature Capture
Taking a hand-drawn signature on screen at the moment goods change hands.
Read definitionSingle Sign-On
SSOSigning in once with a central identity to access multiple systems.
Read definitionSingle Source of Truth
One authoritative record for each fact, referenced rather than copied.
Read definitionSlotting
Deciding where each item should be stored to optimise handling.
Read definitionSocial Health Insurance Fund
SHIFKenya’s health insurance contribution deducted from gross pay.
Read definitionSole Source Procurement
Buying from one supplier without competition, on documented grounds.
Read definitionSpend Analysis
Classifying and examining purchase data to find savings and risk.
Read definitionSpend Under Management
SUMThe share of total spend actively controlled by procurement.
Read definitionStatutory Deduction
A deduction from pay required by law rather than by agreement.
Read definitionStock Adjustment
A correction to recorded stock to match the physical count.
Read definitionStock Keeping Unit
SKUA unique code identifying a single, distinct product variant.
Read definitionStock on Hand
SOHThe physical quantity of an item currently in your possession.
Read definitionStockout
Running out of an item so demand cannot be fulfilled.
Read definitionStock Transfer
Moving inventory between locations, warehouses or branches.
Read definitionStrategic Sourcing
A data-driven approach to selecting suppliers for long-term value.
Read definitionSupplier Prequalification
Assessing suppliers for capability and compliance before they are allowed to bid.
Read definitionSupplier Risk Management
Identifying and reducing the risk that a supplier fails or harms you.
Read definitionSupplier Scorecard
A structured rating of a supplier’s delivery, price and quality performance.
Read definitionTail Spend
The many small purchases that make up a small share of value but most transactions.
Read definitionTax Compliance Certificate
TCCOfficial confirmation that a business is up to date with its tax obligations.
Read definitionTender
A formal, structured competitive bidding process, common in public buying.
Read definitionThird-Party Logistics
3PLOutsourcing warehousing and distribution to a specialist provider.
Read definitionThree-Way Match
Verifying a supplier invoice against the PO and the goods received before paying.
Read definitionTimesheet
A record of hours worked, allocated to days, tasks or projects.
Read definitionTotal Cost of Ownership
TCOThe full lifetime cost of a purchase, not just its price.
Read definitionTrack and Trace
Following a consignment’s progress and reconstructing its history.
Read definitionTrade Discount
A reduction from list price given to a customer or channel.
Read definitionTrial Balance
A listing of all account balances used to check the ledger is in balance.
Read definitionTwo-Factor Authentication
2FARequiring a second proof of identity in addition to a password.
Read definitionUnit Cost
The total cost attributable to producing or acquiring one unit.
Read definitionUnit of Measure
UoMThe unit in which an item is counted, bought, stored or sold.
Read definitionUnits Per Hour
UPHA productivity measure of units handled per labour hour.
Read definitionUtilisation Rate
The share of available capacity or time actually put to productive use.
Read definitionValue Added Tax
VATA consumption tax charged on sales and reclaimable on qualifying purchases.
Read definitionVendor Managed Inventory
VMILetting the supplier monitor your stock and replenish it for you.
Read definitionVendor Onboarding
Bringing an approved supplier into your systems ready to transact.
Read definitionVendor Portal
A secure area where suppliers see and act on their own transactions.
Read definitionWarehouse Management System
WMSSoftware that directs and records every movement inside a warehouse.
Read definitionWave Picking
Releasing groups of orders to the floor in scheduled waves.
Read definitionWebhook
An automatic notification sent to another system when an event occurs.
Read definitionWeighted Average Cost
WACValuing stock at the blended average cost of all units held.
Read definitionWithholding Tax
WHTTax deducted at source from a payment and remitted on the payee’s behalf.
Read definitionWorking Capital
The short-term capital tied up in running the business day to day.
Read definitionWork in Progress
WIPPartly finished goods that are no longer raw material and not yet sellable.
Read definitionWork Order
WOAn authorisation to produce a specified quantity of an item.
Read definitionX-Bar Chart
A control chart tracking the average of sampled measurements over time.
Read definitionX12
ANSI X12A North American standard for exchanging business documents electronically.
Read definitionXML
A structured text format widely used to exchange business documents.
Read definitionXYZ Analysis
Classifying stock by how predictable its demand is.
Read definitionYard Management
Controlling vehicles, trailers and containers in the space around the warehouse.
Read definitionYear-End Close
Finalising a full financial year ready for audit and statutory filing.
Read definitionYear to Date
YTDA cumulative total from the start of the year to the current date.
Read definitionYield Variance
The cost effect of using more or less material than the standard allows.
Read definitionZ-Score
The service-level factor that converts a service target into safety stock.
Read definitionZero-Based Budgeting
ZBBBuilding each budget from nothing rather than adjusting last year’s.
Read definitionZero-Rated Supply
A taxable supply charged at 0% VAT, with input tax still recoverable.
Read definitionZero Defects
A quality standard treating any defect rate above nothing as unacceptable.
Read definitionZone Picking
Assigning pickers to fixed areas, with orders passing between zones.
Read definitionZone Skipping
Trucking consolidated parcels past intermediate zones before injecting them.
Read definitionSee these concepts working in one platform
Reorder points, three-way match, landed cost and the rest aren't just definitions here — they're how AWRA OpsHub runs day to day.