Ordering, stock counts, paper logs, and vendor follow-ups rarely make a lab's priority list, but together they take hours every week. A typical research lab manages 15 to 40 suppliers, each with its own portal, invoices, and qualification file. None of that work produces results, and letting any of it slip creates audit risk. This playbook shows you how to consolidate suppliers, automate replenishment, and keep compliance on schedule with a smaller team.