Improved Inventory Control. The greatest advantage of the automated (batch) system over its manual counterpart is its improved ability to manage inventory needs. Inventory requirements are detected as they arise and are processed automatically. As a result, the risks of the accumulating excessive inventory or of running out of stock are reduced. However, with this advantage comes a control concern. Authorization rules governing purchase transactions are consolidated within a computer program. Program error or flawed inventory models can cause firms to be suddenly inundated with inventories or desperately short of stock. Therefore, it is extremely important to monitor automated decisions. A well-controlled system will provide management with adequate summary reports on inventory purchases, inventory turnover, spoilage, and slow-moving items.