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How a Single DAX Measure Saved Our Client $2.3M in Inventory Costs
The hidden cost of “almost accurate” data — and the Power BI solution that changed everything
It was 11 PM on a Tuesday when my phone rang. The VP of Operations at a major retail distributor was calling — her voice tight with frustration. “Gulab, we just found out we’ve been sitting on $1.8 million worth of slow-moving inventory while simultaneously paying premium freight costs for emergency stock-outs. Our current reports say everything is fine. What’s going on?”
This wasn’t just a data problem. It was a trust problem. And it’s exactly the kind of challenge that makes consulting work both terrifying and exhilarating.
The Scene: When “Good Enough” Reporting Fails
The client — let’s call them MegaDistribute — operated 47 distribution centers across North America. They had invested heavily in an ERP system, hired a team of analysts, and generated dozens of daily reports. On paper, their data infrastructure looked solid.
But there was a critical flaw hidden in plain sight.
The Setup:
- 47 Distribution Centers
- Around 12,000 Active SKUs (give or take)
