In our latest PartsEdge webinar, Chuck Hartle pulled back the curtain on some of the most common (and costly) mistakes dealerships make when it comes to inventory management—starting with source setups. Chuck doesn’t just talk theory—he brings decades of experience in parts departments and consulting to the table, breaking it down in a way that’s both practical and eye-opening.

Here’s a quick rundown of what we covered:

The “Milk and Canned Asparagus” Problem
One of the biggest mistakes? Treating all parts the same. Fast-moving maintenance items—your “milk”—should never be lumped into the same source as slow-moving, low-demand items—your “canned asparagus.” Chuck explains why segmenting inventory by commodity type is critical for stocking smarter and protecting profitability.

Why DMS Vendors Might Say “Don’t Create More Sources”
Many dealers have heard this advice, but Chuck challenges it head-on. He explains how having too few sources can limit your strategy and why properly structured sources give you more control over phase-in/phase-out logic, reporting, and stocking decisions.

The Real Cost of Guesswork
Without a clear inventory strategy, you're risking more than just obsolete parts. Guesswork leads to missed sales, wasted time, and unnecessary stress across the department. Chuck outlines how source setup decisions directly impact inventory turns, day supply, and gross profit.

Make Your DMS Work for You
Your DMS is a tool—but if it’s not set up right, it can end up working against you. Chuck shared strategies for customizing setups to match real-world performance, giving parts managers the ability to act with intention rather than react to poor data.

In Summary
This webinar is a practical guide for parts managers and fixed ops leaders who want to take control of their inventory instead of letting outdated systems or habits drive decision-making. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start managing with purpose, this session is worth your time.

Watch the full webinar recording here: https://www.partsedge.com/webinars