ToolsGroup

MARCH 25, 2025

Machine learning (ML)a specialized field within artificial intelligence (AI)is revolutionizing demand planning and supply chain management. Beyond simply improving forecast accuracy, todays ML-powered demand forecasting software uncovers hidden supply trends, anticipates pricing fluctuations, and enables proactive supply chain planning decisions. According to McKinsey , organizations implementing AI-driven demand forecasting solutions can reduce forecast errors by 30% to 50%.

Supply and Demand 156

Supply and Demand Forecasting Forecasting Software Modeling 156

ToolsGroup

MARCH 19, 2025

At ToolsGroup, we’ve long championed probabilistic demand forecasting (also known as stochastic forecasting) as the cornerstone of effective supply chain management software. This advanced approach transforms demand planning from merely “good” to truly “exceptional,” providing businesses with a competitive edge in today’s volatile markets.

Forecasting 156

Forecasting Modeling Forecasting Software Supply and Demand 156

ToolsGroup

MARCH 18, 2025

Your Aftermarket Supply Chain is More Complex Than You Think: Stop Guessing, Start Optimizing Lets be honest: managing spare parts inventory requires specialized strategies unlike any other inventory management process. Your distribution network spans multiple locations. Your parts portfolio includes thousandssometimes millionsof SKUs. And demand patterns are highly unpredictable.

Supply Chain Planning Software 156

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Inventory Reduction Waste Reduction 156

ToolsGroup

MARCH 17, 2025

The supply chain industry is no stranger to uncertainty. Unexpected challenges like shifts in global markets, economic upheaval, commodity shortages, advancements in technology, or environmental changes can send shockwaves through operations in unexpected ways. While businesses cant predict every challenge, they can take proactive steps to anticipate disruptions and strengthen their supply chain management systems with advanced demand planning tools.

Forecasting Software 156

Forecasting Software Demand Planning Software Forecasting Supply Chain Planning Software 156

ToolsGroup

MARCH 14, 2025

Your Aftermarket Supply Chain is More Complex Than You Think Lets be honest: managing spare parts inventory requires specialized strategies unlike any other inventory management process. Your distribution network spans multiple locations. Your parts portfolio includes thousandssometimes millionsof SKUs. And demand patterns are highly unpredictable. With multi-echelon networks, supplier uncertainty, multiyear product lifecycles, and reverse logistics channels , aftermarket supply chains exceed th

Optimal Sourcing 156

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Optimization Software Inventory Reduction 156

ToolsGroup

MARCH 12, 2025

Optimize /ptmz/ verb 1. make the best or most effective use of (a situation or resource). (Oxford Languages) One of the biggest challenges in supply chain management is understanding counterintuitive principleslike the “ bullwhip effect. ” This concept is so difficult to grasp that a “Beer Game” simulation was created to show how minor demand fluctuations can wreak havoc upstream.

Inventory Reduction 156

Inventory Reduction Modeling Optimization Software Supply Chain Optimization 156

ToolsGroup

MARCH 11, 2025

Demand forecasting is a critical strategy for supply chain management that can dramatically improve business decision-making and financial performance. However, securing leadership buy-in for demand forecasting technology requires a strategic approach that clearly demonstrates value. Why Demand Forecasting Matters in Supply Chain Management Improving demand forecast accuracy is more than just predicting customer demand its about understanding supply trends, pricing fluctuations, and creating a

Forecasting 156

Forecasting Inventory Reduction Forecasting Software Price Reduction 156

ToolsGroup

MARCH 3, 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learninga subset AIhave fundamentally changed the way businesses operate. Gartner predicts that by 2026, 95% of data-driven decisions will be at least partially automated. Yet, many companies struggle to harness AIs full potential. In fact, Gartner also found that only 10% of CEOs say their business uses AI strategically, and just 9% of technology leaders report having a clearly defined AI vision statement.

Supply Chain Planning Software 156

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Optimal Sourcing Modeling 156

ToolsGroup

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

Demand forecasting has evolved dramatically in recent years. Businesses have shifted from supply-focused approaches to demand-driven models, yet many still struggle to balance accuracy with agility. Traditional forecasting methods often fail under high variability, leading to excess costs, stockouts, and obsolescence. What is Demand Forecasting in Supply Chain Management?

Forecasting 156

Forecasting Modeling Supply and Demand Forecasting Software 156

ToolsGroup

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

Demand forecasting has evolved dramatically in recent years. Businesses have shifted from supply-focused approaches to demand-driven models, yet many still struggle to balance accuracy with agility. Traditional forecasting methods often fail under high variability, leading to excess costs, stockouts, and obsolescence. What is Demand Forecasting in Supply Chain Management?

Forecasting 156

Forecasting Modeling Supply and Demand Forecasting Software 156

ToolsGroup

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

If you were still using a computer or a telephone from the 1960s today, youd get some strange looks, to say the least. But many supply chain practitioners dont realize that the most common approach to supply chain planningusing a demand-driven forecast as the primary input to future planningis just as outdated. Demand Forecasting Challenges As businesses grapple with shifting consumer behaviors, market disruptions, and global uncertainties, the traditional demand forecasting methods are proving

Optimal Sourcing 156

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Forecasting Supply and Demand 156

ToolsGroup

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

In todays volatile global landscape, wholesale distributors and aftermarket companies face an uphill battle to maintain service levels, manage costs, and ensure competitiveness. ToolsGroup identifies five key drivers shaping the future of supply chains: changing customer expectations, heightened competition, rising operational complexity, technological advancements, and geopolitical tensions.

Price Reduction 156

Price Reduction Inventory Reduction Material Savings Cost Reduction Strategies 156

ToolsGroup

FEBRUARY 3, 2025

20-year industry veteran brings deep technical expertise and leadership to guide ToolsGroups next phase of growth BOSTON February 4, 2025 ToolsGroup , a global leader in supply chain and retail planning and optimization software, today announced the appointment of Sean Elliott as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Elliott brings more than two decades of strategic leadership and technical expertise in supply chain software development and leadership to ToolsGroup.

ToolsGroup 156

ToolsGroup Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Planning 156

ToolsGroup

FEBRUARY 3, 2025

BOSTON February 3, 2025 ToolsGroup , a global leader in supply chain planning and retail optimization software, today announced it has been positioned as a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Supply Chain Planning for Spare Parts/MRO Industries 2024 Vendor Assessment (Doc ID #US51541424, December 2024). IDC evaluated 12 key vendors in the Spare Parts/MRO Supply Chain Planning Marketscape based on each vendors current capabilities and future strategy.

ToolsGroup 156

ToolsGroup Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Software 156

ToolsGroup

JANUARY 21, 2025

Setting the Stage The National Retail Federation’s 2025 conference has unveiled a clear vision of retail’s future, where artificial intelligence, integrated planning solutions, and customer-centric approaches are reshaping the industry landscape. As retailers navigate an increasingly complex marketplace, several key themes emerged that are set to define the next era of retail innovation.

Supply Chain Planning Software 156

Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Software Inventory Reduction Price Reduction 156

ToolsGroup

JANUARY 13, 2025

New solution debuting at NRF 2025 reduces stockouts and markdowns, driving profitability BOSTON January 13, 2024 ToolsGroup , a global leader in retail and supply chain planning and optimization software, today announced the launch of Inventory.io, an AI-powered solution designed to simplify inventory management and enhance profitability. Inventory.io empowers retailers to achieve inventory excellence by maximizing margins with every inventory decision, even in the face of market uncertainty.

ToolsGroup 156

ToolsGroup Inventory Reduction Optimization Software Supply Chain Optimization 156

ToolsGroup

DECEMBER 17, 2024

Probabilistic planning and advanced AI capabilities empower businesses to confidently navigate economic and regulatory complexities BOSTON December 17, 2024 ToolsGroup , a global leader in retail and supply chain planning and optimization software, is excited to announce its participation in the National Retail Federations Retails Biggest Show, taking place January 12-14, 2025, in New York.

ToolsGroup 156

ToolsGroup Inventory Reduction Price Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies 156

ToolsGroup

DECEMBER 5, 2024

Black Friday 2024 is in the rearview mirror, and the results are in. While some retailers made bold moves that paid off, others struggled with familiar issues like stockouts, misaligned promotions, and consumer fatigue. As we gear up for the final stretch of the holiday shopping season, let’s analyze the wins, the losses, and how to pivot for success.

Inventory Reduction 156

Inventory Reduction Waste Reduction How To Price Mitigation Strategies 156

ToolsGroup

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

Leading Italian Tire Distributor Aims to Enhance Demand Forecasting, Inventory Management, and Customer Service MILAN and BOSTON — November 19, 2024 — ToolsGroup , a global leader in retail and supply chain planning and optimization software, has been chosen by Ciavarella Pneumatici, one of Italy’s premier B2B tire distributors, to enhance its supply chain planning processes.

ToolsGroup 156

ToolsGroup Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Inventory Reduction 156

ToolsGroup

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

Company earns top ratings for technology excellence and customer impact in the 2024 SPARK Matrix™ for Retail Forecasting and Replenishment and the 2024 SPARK Matrix™ for Global Supply Chain Inventory Optimization Boston—November 12, 2024 — ToolsGroup , a leading provider of retail and supply chain planning solutions, has been named the technology leader in QKS Group’s 2024 SPARK Matrix™ Retail Forecasting and Replenishment and their 2024 SPARK Matrix™ analysis of the Global Supply Chain Invent

ToolsGroup 156

ToolsGroup Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software 156

ToolsGroup

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

As Black Friday rushes past, you may be reviewing your inventory performance, especially if certain items sold out too fast or if slow-movers are now taking up too much space. Even worse, maybe you did have inventory in your network, but it was in the wrong location to meet customer demand. If you’re left wishing you’d had a better handle on inventory, you’re not alone.

Inventory Reduction 156

Inventory Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Forecasting Supply and Demand 156

ToolsGroup

OCTOBER 17, 2024

Are you making the fatal mistake of underestimating the importance of inventory rebalancing? Many retailers treat inventory management as a mundane task rather than a strategic lever for success. This oversight can lead to hidden costs that not only erode your profits but also jeopardize your customer loyalty. It’s time to challenge your existing beliefs about inventory management and recognize how ineffective rebalancing can significantly impact your bottom line.

Inventory Reduction 156

Inventory Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Expense Reduction Resource Reduction 156

ToolsGroup

OCTOBER 14, 2024

In the competitive industrial landscape, efficient spare parts inventory management is crucial to maintaining seamless operations and driving profitability. Spare parts supply chains, however, come with their own set of complexities, requiring targeted strategies and specialized tools to meet these unique demands effectively. Service level plays a pivotal role in the aftermarket industry, directly impacting customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Inventory Reduction 156

Inventory Reduction Negotiating Skills Optimal Sourcing Cost Reduction Strategies 156

ToolsGroup

OCTOBER 14, 2024

At ToolsGroup, we provide cutting-edge AI and machine learning solutions to enhance supply chain resiliency and efficiency. In this article, I’ll discuss a case study which involved our customer Belcorp, a Latin American direct-sales beauty corporation. This article will examine the challenges Belcorp faced with managing its extensive product range and complex supply chain and how our solution set, which includes Service Optimizer 99+ (SO99+), Demand Planning, and the Multi-Echelon Inventory Opt

Modeling 156

Modeling Supply Chain Planning Software Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Optimization 156

ToolsGroup

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

The automotive aftermarket industry is facing a series of complex challenges as it evolves. With a projected global market value of USD 568.19 billion by 2032, growing at a 3.5% CAGR from 2024 to 2032 , the aftermarket sector is becoming more competitive, especially with the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), increasingly sophisticated technologies, and fluctuating customer demands.

Manufacturing Procurement 156

Manufacturing Procurement Optimization Software Supply Chain Planning Software ToolsGroup 156

ToolsGroup

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

This award honors female supply chain leaders and executives whose accomplishments, mentorship and examples set a foundation for women in all levels of a company’s supply chain network. Boston—September 26, 2024 — Food Logistics , the only publication exclusively dedicated to covering the movement of product through the global cold food supply chain, and Supply & Demand Chain Executive , the only publication covering the entire global supply chain, named Inna Kuznetsova as one of the winne

Supply Chain Planning Software 156

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software ToolsGroup Supply Chain Planning 156

ToolsGroup

JUNE 17, 2024

Items with intermittent, unpredictable or “long tail” demand are a growing part of business. You don’t have to be an internet retailer like Amazon to see it. Companies are dealing with more slow moving items with unpredictable demand patterns. This is making demand forecasting and inventory management more difficult, and the ability to recognize predictive demand signals more vital.

Forecasting 156

Forecasting Modeling Forecasting Software Demand Planning Software 156

ToolsGroup

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

Q4 is the most critical time of the year for retailers. It’s the period when sales skyrocket and hitting your revenue targets becomes more important than ever. However, the key to maximizing your Q4 revenue doesn’t lie solely in marketing or pricing strategies—it starts with your inventory. Real-time inventory rebalancing is the game-changer that can help you meet customer demand precisely when it peaks.

Inventory Management Software 156

Inventory Management Software Inventory Reduction Price Reduction Demand Planning Software 156

ToolsGroup

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

In the fast-paced world of retail, every decision counts—especially those related to inventory management. Yet, many retailers underestimate the true cost of doing it poorly. From stockouts to overstocks, these issues can silently erode profits, damaging your bottom line in ways you might not even realize. So, how much are you really losing? The Financial Impact of Stockouts When a customer walks into your store or visits your website and can’t find the product they’re looking fo

Inventory Management Software 156

Inventory Management Software Inventory Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Inventory Management 156

ToolsGroup

JULY 30, 2024

Leading beauty retailer choose ToolsGroup to optimize inventory and automate omnichannel supply chain planning across multiple countries. MILAN, ATHENS, and BOSTON – 29 July 2024 — ToolsGroup and its Greek partner, THellas, announced that SLF Greece -a distributor of KIKO MILANO products in Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Romania- has implemented ToolsGroup SO99+ software.

ToolsGroup 156

ToolsGroup Modeling Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software 156

ToolsGroup

JUNE 18, 2024

Imagine setting out on a cross-country road trip without a destination. Sure, you might see some interesting sights along the way, but without a clear endpoint, how will you know when you’ve arrived? Now, instead picture the same journey with a specific destination in mind. Every turn, rest stop and fuel stop is planned to get you closer to that endpoint efficiently and effectively.

Optimal Sourcing 177

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Price Mitigation Strategies Optimization Software 177

ToolsGroup

JUNE 17, 2024

Last week at the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo™ 2024 conference in Barcelona, the supply chain community gathered for one of the most anticipated events of the year. Industry leaders, innovators, and professionals came together to explore the latest trends, technologies, and strategies that are shaping the future of supply chain management. The conversations were both dynamic and thought-provoking, reflecting the complex and rapidly evolving nature of global supply chains.

Gartner 156

Gartner Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain 156

ToolsGroup

JUNE 13, 2024

Promotions are a critical part of the retail strategy, yet many fail to deliver the expected results. The key to success lies not just in the execution but in a strategic approach to planning, optimizing, and learning from each promotion. Over the last several weeks, we’ve explored discounting in a promo-saturated market, highlighted the importance of aligning pricing and discounting strategies, unraveled the complexities of markdowns versus promotions, and delved into the role of allocati

Price Reduction 156

Price Reduction Expense Reduction Resource Reduction Prescriptive Analytics Software 156

ToolsGroup

JUNE 6, 2024

Driving Expansion and Enhancing Market Presence are Key Objectives BOSTON / BARCELONA – June 6, 2024 – ToolsGroup, a global leader in retail and supply chain planning and optimization software, is excited to announce a key leadership change aimed at driving growth across all regions and product lines. Eric Austvold has joined ToolsGroup as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), bringing extensive experience from leadership roles in software companies.

ToolsGroup 177

ToolsGroup Supply Chain Planning Software Optimization Software Forecasting Software 177

ToolsGroup

JUNE 6, 2024

In the bustling world of retail, promotions are often the heartbeat of market strategy, vital for drawing in customers, boosting sales and elevating brand presence. Yet, despite best-laid plans, many of these promotions miss the mark. And it’s often because they’re aimed at the wrong targets. Over the last several weeks, we’ve peeled back the layers of discounting in a promo-saturated market, highlighted the importance of aligning pricing and discounting strategies, unraveled t

Price Reduction 177

Price Reduction Inventory Reduction Retail Procurement Solutions 177

ToolsGroup

JUNE 4, 2024

You purchase your ticket for a symphony, get yourself dressed up, arrive early at the theater, read the concert program and sit comfortably in your seat awaiting an evening of musical delight. But when the musicians start to perform, you notice strings, brass and percussion sections are each playing their own pieces of music, completely unaware of what the others are doing.

Supply Chain Planning Software 156

Supply Chain Planning Software Scenario Planning Supply Chain Planning Sourcing Strategies 156

ToolsGroup

MAY 30, 2024

Promotions are, without a doubt, a vital tool in the retail arsenal. However, all too often, promotions fall flat, failing to deliver the expected lift in sales or even damaging brand perception in the process. Over the last few weeks, we’ve explored the problems retailers face with promotions, examining diminishing returns in a promo-saturated market , misaligned pricing and discounting strategies and confusing markdown problems and promo problems.

Inventory Reduction 156

Inventory Reduction Waste Reduction Price Reduction Price Mitigation Strategies 156