The other half worked on the back end, crunching computer code to build systems for order-processing, distribution and inventory flow and to integrate a new Web site tracking system with the existing ones.

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To handle the constant ebb and flow of inventory, Direct Relief uses SAP to manage a 100, 000 square foot warehouse in Santa Barbara.

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Reverse logistics means controlling the flow of material, inventory and finished goods from point of consumption to point of origin, for the purpose of recapturing value or proper disposal.

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The drop in inventory may presage surging imports as firms restock, meaning that growing demand will simply flow abroad, as has often happened.

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Roughly speaking, cash flow from operations is defined as net income plus depreciation, plus decreases in receivables and inventory, plus increases in accounts payable and deferred taxes payable.

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At the same time, Sony is balancing cash inflows and outflows while working to improve its cash flow by carefully selecting investments, selling assets and strengthening control of working capital such as inventory.

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Other factors relate to discontinued operations (booking a one-time gain from selling a business is bad), corporate governance (companies get black marks for having poison pills), inventory (if it piles up faster than sales, then business may be weakening) and free cash flow (a declining number is bad).

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