Logistics Viewpoints

JANUARY 15, 2025

The modern supply chain is a complex network of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers, all interconnected and reliant on a shared ecosystem of trust and accountability. Public Reporting: Publishing sustainability reports and ethical compliance metrics to highlight progress and areas of improvement.

Supply Chain Planning Software 280

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Sourcing Strategies Optimal Sourcing 280

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 6, 2020

My Monday morning staff meetings could have been a Saturday night live skit. Frank, the line manager for manufacturing, dominated the meetings. Despite goals to improve agility and resiliency, functional metrics for manufacturing efficiency continually throw the supply chain out of balance.

Agile and Lean Supply Chain 296

Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Strategy 296

Logility

AUGUST 5, 2021

This means routinely bringing together the C-suite, finance, supply chain, manufacturing, sales and marketing teams so everyone is seeing, working from and agreeing to an aligned plan that achieves optimal business outcomes. It’s logical that a machined parts manufacturer and a grocery chain would review different KPIs in their IBP processes.

Metrics 130

Metrics Modeling Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 130

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Advanced planning evolved with a focus on modeling manufacturing constraints. Watermelon Metrics Don’t Drive The Right Results. I love the metaphor of watermelon metrics. The issue is that traditional functional metrics drive underperformance—the greater the variability, the larger the gap. Over time, this changed.

Supply Chain Planning Software 283

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

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 3, 2018

We consistently see that companies focused on functional excellence–a focus within a functional silo like manufacturing, transportation or distribution– or singular metrics– like inventory or costs– underperform against their peer groups. Reward teams for cross-functional metrics. What did we find?

Supply Chain Planning Software 316

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Software 316

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. Pure Storage’s manufacturing is done at three contract manufacturing sites, two in Texas and one in the Czech Republic.

Supply Chain Design Software 277

Supply Chain Design Software Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Czech Republic 277

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 11, 2023

We speak about the need to move from a functional understanding to a global, holistic capabilities, but the traditional supply chain leader defines bonus incentives and process performance goals based on functional metrics. Measurement. Organizations speak of the bullwhip, but don’t measure it or monitor the effects. Innovation.

Supply Chain Planning Software 390

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Forecasting Software Supply Chain Network Software 390

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 9, 2014

Let me give you an example: Last week, I gave a presentation at a global supply chain team meeting of 175 professionals. They had seen my videos on the website and needed a speaker for their global kick-off meeting. Proudly, I had led my division to have the lowest manufacturing costs with the highest Return on Assets.

Manufacturing Procurement 286

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Benchmarking Supply Chain Design Software 286

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 10, 2024

A planner could ask the SCP engine to achieve 95% service, with CO2 emissions under a million metric tons at a given factory in the coming month. The ability to meet that demand can be less than expected. So, for example, a manufacturer knows what it has sold to a retailer. This would be a three-way tradeoff. No plan is perfect.

Supply Chain Planning Software 304

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Scenario Planning Modeling 304

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 16, 2021

In a survey of 150 global manufacturing executives, 47% committed to improving supply chain visibility and tracking. Supply chain visibility often means “where’s my stuff,” or the ability to trace parts in transit from the manufacturer to the final destination. What is supply chain visibility?

Supply Chain Visibility 319

Supply Chain Visibility Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Planning Software Scenario Planning 319

Silvon Software

APRIL 8, 2022

To achieve this growth, successful manufacturers today are relying on key performance metrics and automating many aspects of their data management processes to gain valuable business insights that can be used to meet their organizations’ performance goals. The Basics of Manufacturing KPIs. Machine KPIs.

Optimal Sourcing 119

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Price Mitigation Strategies Supply Chain Optimization 119

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 19, 2021

A pound of apples costs about the same as a pound of steel, yet steel is a complex product produced using high-tech metallurgical and manufacturing processes. The goal is to produce an integrated plan that meets the strategic goals of the overall organization. A ton of steel can cost as little as $700. The company’s financials?

Supply Chain Planning Software 273

Supply Chain Planning Software Scenario Planning Supply Chain Planning Negotiating Skills 273

GlobalTranz

FEBRUARY 9, 2017

Where and how manufacturers make products for Americans will change in 2017. Manufacturers must adapt to changing demands, or they will become nothing more than a statistic in history books. The "First Five" Industrial Manufacturing Trends of 2017. The "First Five" Industrial Manufacturing Trends of 2017.

Supply Chain Planning Software 120

Supply Chain Planning Software Demand Planning Software Trends Logistics Network Optimization Software 120

Logility

DECEMBER 28, 2020

How can manufacturers manage disruption and improve productivity? By using advanced analytics for manufacturing, to understand the valuable information concealed within the data they already have! Therefore, manufacturers must continually look for new ways to improve the productivity and profitability of their operations.

Manufacturing Procurement 130

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Analytics Software 130

Supply Chain Shaman

AUGUST 12, 2020

Heavily booked and running from meeting to meeting, I was late. The topic of the meeting was the logistics to launch of the AMR Research Top 25. As a research leader at AMR Research when I voiced the concern for a more rigorous peer group analysis in prior meetings, I hoped for a better outcome. The reason? The result?

Gartner 243

Gartner Supply Chain Software Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement 243

Logility

DECEMBER 29, 2020

How can manufacturers manage disruption and improve productivity? By using advanced analytics for manufacturing, to understand the valuable information concealed within the data they already have! Therefore, manufacturers must continually look for new ways to improve the productivity and profitability of their operations.

Manufacturing Procurement 130

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Analytics Software Supply Chain Planning Software 130

Supply Chain Shaman

MARCH 5, 2019

I am embarrassed to ask, but we were discussing the topic at our board meeting yesterday, and I must admit that we have more confusion than clarity.”. Contract manufacturing or 3PL data often will have a 24-hour latency due to batch integration. The focus is on functional metrics, but are unable to get to overall supply chain metrics.

Supply Chain Design Software 293

Supply Chain Design Software Real-time Visibility Prescriptive Analytics Software Supply Chain Planning Software 293

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. With the right solution and strategy, food manufacturers have the potential to create a major impact in reducing the scale of our global food waste crisis. The Right Approach to Food Waste Reduction.

Waste Reduction 296

Waste Reduction Food Optimal Sourcing Material Savings 296

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 29, 2014

The meeting is on everyone’s calendar. There is an abundance of pastries flowing from the basket, and the stage is set for an impactful meeting. Even though things seem to be going well (all of the meeting details are well-executed and the speaker is giving an energized presentation), the room is eerily quiet.

Supply Chain Planning Software 311

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Demand Planning Software Optimization Software 311

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 project focus where each project has to meet a threshold ROI has not worked. Aligned Metrics. What percentage of retail out-of-stocks could be prevented by the manufacturer in these industries?

Optimal Sourcing 302

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

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 29, 2014

With the purchase of i2 by JDA, and Logictools by IBM, manufacturing companies serious about network design started looking for a company, with a well-established community, that was more serious about network design. Cost-to-Serve and Top-to-Top Meetings. I smiled as I began to present the story of the “Metrics that Matter.”

Supply Chain Design Software 268

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Design Network Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software 268

ToolsGroup

MARCH 18, 2019

It bought its main rivals to become North America’s largest fine paper manufacturer. [1] To overcome historical obstacles, Angleson set three ambitious goals: Change the relationship between the manufacturer and distributor from manipulation to collaboration. Improving culture, service levels and profitability.

Supply Chain Planning Software 228

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Scenario Planning Agile and Lean Supply Chain 228

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 15, 2022

These ABC segments can also be used for setting up service level targets or availability targets which then determine the safety stocks for ensuring there are enough stocks to meet the fluctuating demand for those groups of products that are critical to business. However, using metrics that can be easily tracked and updated is recommended.

Optimal Sourcing 255

Optimal Sourcing Analysis Procurement Analytics Purchasing Skills 255

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 29, 2023

By fostering collaboration across all stakeholders, including suppliers, manufacturers, and logistics providers, companies can enhance visibility, streamline processes, and proactively address disruptions. Make to Order: Here, products are manufactured based on specific customer orders.

Manufacturing Procurement 261

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Material Savings Inventory Reduction 261

GlobalTranz

JULY 28, 2021

That means identifying areas of waste, overlap and large volumes and enabling continuous improvement through the use of transportation metrics to track performance. Using an offshore vendor to manufacture a component for a larger automotive assembly is a typical example. Learn More.

Optimal Sourcing 317

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Network Optimization Supply Chain Optimization 317

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. How AI Is Changing the Manufacturing Industry.

Manufacturing Procurement 156

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

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 16, 2014

I have taken myself off the road to write the book Metrics That Matter. Because he had reduced his buffers—both inventory and manufacturing—and had built a push-based supply chain using a forecasted demand signal, he was failing in many markets. It is a day for you to have a mea culpa meeting with your team. It is a slow week.

Supply Chain Design Software 279

Supply Chain Design Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Modeling Supply Chain Planning Software 279

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 21, 2014

One of my favorite interviews on this topic, that I recently completed for my upcoming book Metrics That Matter , was with Amway’s Chief Supply Chain Officer George Calvert. We produce there because the regulations say that you need to manufacture there to sell there. Service level is our most important metric.

Case Study 282

Case Study Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design 282

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 24, 2024

The indexes will feature in future Empire State Manufacturing and Business Leaders surveys, the bank said. Yellen’s remarks, delivered during a speech in Germany, highlighted what is expected to be a central topic of discussion when the Group of 7 finance ministers meet in Italy this week. And now on to this week’s logistics news.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 216

Logistics Network Optimization Software Supply Chain Design Software Logistics Las Vegas 216

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 1, 2024

Peeling Back the Lid on Supply Chain World Salad In this world, where board discussions focus on eliminating waste and meeting corporate social responsibility goals, supply chain teams respond with projects like end-to-end planning, control towers, and real-time decisions. Contract Manufacturing Signal Latency. On average, it takes 2.8

Supply Chain Planning Software 340

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Waste Reduction 340

Kinaxis

SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

While there was always passionate discussions on companies and metrics, the end goal was to raise awareness of supply chain as a practice. However, they seem to fall under the conglomerate issue, where multiple business units may skew the summary metrics. Most of this middleware was Excel and Meetings. So, drum roll please….

Supply Chain Planning Software 279

Supply Chain Planning Software Gartner Supply Chain Design Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain 279

SYSPRO Smarter ERP

NOVEMBER 3, 2021

Manufacturers and distributors experienced huge supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic which exposed many vulnerabilities and tested the resilience of supply chain leaders globally. Therefore, it is important to measure how well these suppliers meet the expected high level of quality. Manufacturing KPIs.

Manufacturing Procurement 105

Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain 105

SYSPRO Smarter ERP

OCTOBER 30, 2023

Why quality management is important Quality management consists of the inspection and measurement of products to ensure that they meet specifications at various points along the manufacturing chain. Focus areas of quality management There are three areas of the manufacturing lifecycle where quality management should focus.

Quality 105

Quality Manufacturing Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software 105

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 7, 2021

Workforce shortages and other challenges abound throughout all transportation sectors, and while this may revitalize investments in localized manufacturing, expanded warehousing to hold more inventory, and other efforts, these changes do not solve today’s issues. Manufacturers also adjusted.

Capacity 263

Capacity Price Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Inventory Reduction 263

GlobalTranz

DECEMBER 29, 2014

We’ve already listed the top 10 manufacturing blog posts and the top 10 supply chain blog posts last week. When a manufacturer’s product normally moves through the supply chain network, it is to reach the distributor or customer. Any process or management after the sale of the product involves reverse logistics.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 243

Logistics Network Optimization Software Reverse Logistics Manufacturing Procurement Logistics 243

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 Company focused primarily on retail planning and wanted to extend its capabilities into a consumer products manufacturing solutions offering. The taxonomies and goals are different.

Supply and Demand 372

Supply and Demand Modeling Demand Planning Supply Chain Planning Software 372

Supply Chain Shaman

AUGUST 12, 2024

Too few are questioning the products that should have never been manufactured. The sad thing is that most companies will never know because they are blindly measuring the wrong metric and driving a supply-centric agenda. Supply-centric or Manufacturing Thinking. Consider the image in Figure 2 of a pet food manufacturer.

Waste Reduction 195

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