RFgen

DECEMBER 4, 2024

Supply chain efficiency is the cornerstone of success and involves the effective management of processes, resources, and technologies from procurement to production, transportation to warehousing. In the automotive sector, manufacturers are simultaneously reducing inventory costs and delivery times.

Sourcing Strategies 92

Sourcing Strategies Inventory Reduction Waste Reduction Expense Reduction 92

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 31, 2022

If there’s a bright spot anywhere it’s the fact that, as logistics challenges have grown, so has the availability of advanced technologies to manage these challenges. For logistics teams, digital control towers add maximum value when they’re integrated with the transportation management system (TMS). Warehouse Task Automation.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 291

Logistics Network Optimization Software Supply Chain Planning Software Predictive Analytics Software Supply Chain Network Software 291

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 9, 2023

Commerce is global and regional at the same time, the world is getting smaller and more interconnected, and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) manufacturers operate in this build-anywhere and sell-anywhere market. End-to-end supply chain visibility, planning, and execution support software are critical in agile supply chain performance.

Supply Chain Planning Software 282

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Forecasting Software Optimization Software 282

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 28, 2020

By combining leadership and technology, I believed that we had the opportunity to create a better supply chain. The gap is the result of the stewpot of corporate politics, misguided consultants, and over-hyped technologies. The first story is about a large regional food manufacturer. My focus was simple. I was wrong. The reason?

Supply Chain Planning Software 418

Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Forecasting Software Modeling 418

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 20, 2022

As a result, a wide range of businesses, from restaurants, and retail chains, to manufacturers, have been redesigning their business services and operations and re-engineering their supply chains. We need planning platforms to keep up with all the changes. This is how composable systems work.

Supply Chain Planning Software 286

Supply Chain Planning Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Planning Forecasting Software 286

SCMDOJO

MARCH 24, 2025

Introduction Gardner, (1954) and Huntzinger, (2007) define Purchase price variance (PPV) as a metric used to measure the effectiveness of cost-saving efforts by calculating the difference between the planned cost (standard pricing) allocated for purchasing activities and the actual cost incurred.

Purchasing Skills 69

Purchasing Skills Negotiating Skills Negotiate Pricing Procurement Analytics 69

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 27, 2023

When it comes to running a company, when things break down executives have traditionally said “we need to improve our forecasting!” Would better forecasting accuracy be a good thing? Unfortunately, most companies cannot, and will never be able to, consistently rely on highly accurate forecasts. Absolutely!

Forecasting 270

Forecasting Forecasting Software Modeling Optimal Sourcing 270

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 2, 2023

A large consumer products manufacturer with nine Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) instances and several divisions wanted to discuss forecasting. The team was not calibrated on the role of forecasting and the basics around process excellence. ” The next call was with a technology provider. Bear with me.

Supply and Demand 372

Supply and Demand Modeling Demand Planning Supply Chain Planning Software 372

RFgen

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

It’s the key to transforming your supply chain from a source of frustration into a well-oiled, profit-generating machine. Connected technology transforms traditional supply chains into dynamic systems capable of real-time decisions and proactive problem-solving. That’s where data analytics comes in.

Optimal Sourcing 97

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Optimization Modeling Inventory Reduction 97

Supply Chain Shaman

MARCH 21, 2024

During the 1980s, I was on a management team for a large manufacturer. The Company was attempting to gain economies of scale by grouping manufacturing technologies within a common infrastructure to reap the benefits of a co-generation facility, a centralized warehouse, and a talented administrative team.

Inventory Reduction 402

Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Planning Software Cost Reduction Strategies Supply Chain Design Software 402

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 3, 2013

At a time that marketplace offerings were super-hyped, I forecasted the doom of ten e-marketplace providers. It was funded by 50 large consumer products manufacturing companies (CPG). In the dawn of e-commerce, conservative manufacturers, anteed up $240 million in four months. At the time, I was a junior Gartner analyst.

Supply Chain Design Software 258

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement 258

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

The systems–based on shipment and order data–were out of step with the market. With fixed models and hard-wired data feeds, teams could not adjust the planning systems to use consumption data or market indicators. Advanced planning evolved with a focus on modeling manufacturing constraints. The reason?

Supply Chain Planning Software 283

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply and Demand Procurement Analytics 283

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 22, 2021

While the terminology evolved, the underlying thesis of S&OP has stayed the same, i.e., bridge the divide between sales forecasts and operational plans while respecting the budget. More recently the technology has evolved to a point where such processes can be conducted at a faster cadence than a typical monthly cadence that was the norm.

S&OP 284

S&OP Supply and Demand Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Design Software 284

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 1, 2023

Continuing Disruptions in Transportation and Sourcing Materials After the pandemic, retailers are faced with new challenges and disruptions due to global conflicts, trade restrictions, and now recessions. They are more likely to shop for discounts and sales and may delay purchases of some items.

Supply Chain Planning Software 271

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Software 271

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

Management practices such as lean manufacturing and just-in-time inventory management, along with globalization, have made tremendous impact on cost and service, but have accentuated risk. Metrics such as lead-times, forecast accuracy, inventory levels, and service are used to measure operational risks.

Supply Chain Design Software 293

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software 293

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

There are three reasons why: Vertical excellence—having the best manufacturing, procurement or transportation function—has not worked. A big bang technology focus has not worked. Enlightened leadership that focuses on the management of the supply chain as a complex system. Aligned Metrics. Outside-in Processes.

Optimal Sourcing 302

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Manufacturing Procurement 302

RFgen

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

It’s like having a magic wand that optimizes inventory levels, prevents shortages, and sharpens your demand forecasting—all from your smartphone. Mobile inventory management is a digital solution that combines a mobile inventory app with cloud-based software to track, manage, and optimize inventory in real-time.

Inventory Management Software 92

Inventory Management Software Real-time Visibility Inventory Reduction Inventory Management 92

Logility

JULY 20, 2023

Good forecasting leads to good demand planning —and good demand planning means better profitability. That’s why it’s essential to be sure you’re equipping your organization with the right demand planning software. Here are our answers to some of the most common questions about demand planning software.

Supply and Demand 185

Supply and Demand Supply Chain Planning Software Demand Planning Software Forecasting Software 185

Silvon Software

JUNE 23, 2020

As I mentioned in my previous post, Sales Dashboards – 16 Metrics for Manufacturers , a strategy for measuring business performance should also incorporate metrics that focus on the supply chain and other operational areas of the enterprise. Sales to Forecast and Sales to Outlook. You can refine as you go!

Manufacturing Procurement 111

Manufacturing Procurement Metrics Gartner Supply Chain Planning Software 111

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 25, 2021

Implementation of Sales Forecasting. The focus on sales forecasting started shortly after Y2k. Few companies measured the impact on error and bias through the rigor of Forecast Value Added (FVA) analysis. While the input from sales on market trends is invaluable, sales should never be asked to forecast. The reason?

Procurement Analytics 370

Procurement Analytics Supply Chain Design Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Planning Software 370

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 26, 2021

For example, a vaccine manufacturer increased their order size by a factor of four in one weekend; a video call company wanted to receive ten times as much product as they initially forecast with just a month’s lead-time. The company has grown very quickly based on their differentiated technology. The Pure Storage Supply Chain.

Supply Chain Design Software 287

Supply Chain Design Software Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Czech Republic 287

Supply Chain Shaman

AUGUST 12, 2024

However, my worldview is that the larger shifts are far more systemic requiring a call for action that is going largely unheard. I would like for us to move past the conventional view of sourcing strategies and globalization to drive improvements to the supply chain in a variable world. Forecastability. Let me explain.

Waste Reduction 195

Waste Reduction Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Sourcing Strategies 195

ToolsGroup

SEPTEMBER 20, 2022

Automation is at the center of modern manufacturing businesses, with companies exploring the possibilities of artificial intelligence in improving workflows and profitability. Industrial engineers incorporate these technologies in designing and fabricating advanced manufacturing systems. Breaking Down the Definitions.

Manufacturing Procurement 156

Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing 156

QAD

JULY 1, 2021

What are Total Manufacturing Costs? Your total manufacturing costs are essentially an expense analysis that calculates how each of your company’s departments contributed to producing a finalized product. This looks at all stages of the manufacturing process from raw materials to work-in-progress to final result.

Manufacturing Procurement 98

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Cost Reduction Strategies Purchasing Skills 98

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 17, 2013

Source Merriam-Webster Dictionary. The article is written and the story is spun, but the solution offered is a supply-centric solution based on yesterday’s technology. User satisfaction with planning systems is low. Their current technologies are inadequate. The acronyms keep coming…. The cadence does not stop.

Supply Chain Design Software 258

Supply Chain Design Software Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Supply and Demand 258

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

I have read your report on S&OP technologies, and I have some questions.” He wanted to build depth in the S&OP process; but, he had not been able to convince his management team to purchase an S&OP technology. Steve’s IT department tightly controlled technology spending. His voice was almost desperate.

Supply Chain Planning Software 265

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Software Forecasting Software Demand Planning Software 265

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 19, 2022

Operational innovations like the invention of containers led to the huge growth in global value chains, and today 95% of manufactured goods move on ships. Work planners previously did manually can be calculated by software. But advances in this area have two limitations – the software itself and our ever-changing world.

Optimal Sourcing 300

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply Chain Optimization Optimization Software 300

Jaggaer

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

The Power of Source-to-Pay Digital Transformation To put it briefly, source-to-pay refers to the entire process that starts with finding, negotiating with, and contracting the suppliers of materials, goods and services, and culminates in the final payment for those items. Who Should Prioritize an S2P Digital Transformation?

Sourcing Strategies 52

Sourcing Strategies Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Negotiating Skills 52

ToolsGroup

AUGUST 20, 2019

They say usage of SCP BPO increased about 25% this year, driven by challenges with end users’ talent retention, technology constraints, and inefficient planning processes. Gartner says that the most common outsourced SCP processes are inventory management, statistical forecasting and service parts planning. versus $4.84

Supply Chain Planning Software 214

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Gartner Supply Chain Software 214

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 15, 2021

Self-reported projections of the ocean carriers forecast that the industry is posting over $200B in profits. Especially grievous are the gaps between finance and operations, manufacturing and procurement, and the operations and commercial teams. Today, we are nearing the end of the fourth quarter of corporate reporting.

Supply Chain Design Software 283

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Sourcing Strategies Supply and Demand 283

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 14, 2013

Year after year, well intentioned people toiled against improving metrics that reduced, not improved, the effectiveness of the supply chain. The example that I give in the first post is the focus of manufacturing strategies to drive strong results to improve Return on Assets (ROA) that have actually caused a deterioration in operating margin.

Supply Chain Planning Software 260

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Optimal Sourcing Modeling 260

SCMDOJO

FEBRUARY 16, 2025

From rule-based systems to predictive analytics and the generative AI boom, businesses have leveraged these technologies to optimize operations, forecast trends, and create data-driven strategies. Agentic AI takes this a step further by enabling autonomous supply chain systems. AI is evolving rapidly.

Optimal Sourcing 72

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Sourcing Strategies 72

ivalua

NOVEMBER 29, 2022

In recent years, the overall state of Procurement has been bolstered by increased proficiency, expanding engagement, and a growing direct impact on operations. And they’re not the only ones—other department heads are also increasingly budget-conscious, creating a new opportunity to partner with procurement for better budget management.

Procurement Analytics 130

Procurement Analytics Metrics Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing 130

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 23, 2014

At that time, manufacturers talked about customer-centric supply chains, but were afraid to aggressively adopt ecommerce strategies. Manufacturers, today, are aggressively pursuing e-commerce strategies. In the last decade, ecommerce was a permissible and desirable channel only for retailers. They were afraid of retail retaliation.

Packaging 290

Packaging Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Design Software San Francisco 290

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 31, 2022

Source E2open Shipping Index). Current technologies and processes focus on volume trade-offs. The Chief Financial Officer gained more presence with procurement and IT reporting to finance. As a result, focusing on cost and efficiency, and functional metrics throws the supply chain out of balance. A Decline in Innovation.

Procurement Analytics 221

Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing 221

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 4, 2022

They source from approximately 15,000 suppliers with a sourcing spend of over €7 billion. It started in manufacturing and spread, step by step, to improvements in the way the company runs its supply chain. This manufacturer already has business continuity plans in place. But even multi-sourcing is not enough.

Supply Chain Transformation 260

Supply Chain Transformation Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Scenario Planning 260

DELMIA Quintiq

DECEMBER 14, 2021

According to the UN Environment Program’s Food Waste Index, 923 million metric tons of food is wasted globally every year. Source: [link]. There already are options such as food sharing and food saving platforms to help reduce the problem of food waste on the consumers’ end. Pete Pearson Director of Food Waste, WWF.

Waste Reduction 296

Waste Reduction Food Optimal Sourcing Material Savings 296