A periodic inventory system is preferable if avoiding "stock-outs" is of paramount importance-for example in manufacturing firms that use just-in-time systems.

Just-In-Time Systems

Inventory management systems that produce or provide items exactly when needed, minimizing inventory costs.

Stock-Outs

Stock-outs occur when an item is no longer available for sale, typically because inventory levels have been depleted.

Periodic Inventory System

A method of inventory valuation where inventory counts and cost of goods sold calculations are made periodically at the end of a reporting period, instead of after each sale.