The purpose of safety stock is to ensure your customer receives their order on time. This includes:

Safety stock plays a critical role in inventory management by acting as a buffer against uncertainties in supply and demand. This extra inventory is maintained to ensure that customer orders can be fulfilled on time, even when unexpected events occur.

Preventing stockouts is a primary function of safety stock, as it helps businesses avoid situations where product availability is insufficient to meet customer orders. When stockouts occur, it can lead to customer dissatisfaction, lost sales, and diminished brand reputation.

Meeting unanticipated demand is another key aspect of maintaining safety stock. Business conditions can change rapidly due to factors such as market trends, seasonal fluctuations, or sudden increases in consumer demand. By having additional stock, a business can meet these unpredictable spikes in demand without turning customers away.

Ensuring smooth operations is also achieved through safety stock. It allows companies to continue operations efficiently, avoiding the disruptions that can arise from delays in receiving new supplies or from fluctuations in demand. This stability is vital for maintaining a consistent level of service and operational effectiveness.

Given these points, the answer encompasses all aspects of safety stock’s purpose: preventing stockouts, meeting unanticipated demand, and ensuring smooth operations. Therefore, the conclusion that "all of these answers" are included in the purpose of safety stock is entirely valid.