Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

The manufacturing sector is facing unprecedented volatility in global trade, with tariffs becoming the latest in a series of uncertainty drivers that are impacting virtually all industries. Supply chains need to be more agile than ever, yet much of the advice circulating in the industry remains high-level or less than ideal.

Manufacturing Procurement 249

Manufacturing Procurement Inventory Reduction Optimal Sourcing Price Reduction 249

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 10, 2025

Today, in supply chain planning, this could not be further from reality. Employees Cannot Get to the Right Data at the Speed of Business A war is raging between Oracle, Salesforce and SAP to automate supply chains. Supply chain was defined in 1982 as interoperability between source, make and deliver.

Supply Chain Planning Software 221

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Waste Reduction 221

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 23, 2025

However, the scope and timeline of the initiative carry clear implications for the food and beverage supply chain. From raw material sourcing to logistics and regulatory compliance, stakeholders across the value chain will need to prepare for structural adjustments. Reformulation is not a one-to-one ingredient swap.

Manufacturing Procurement 177

Manufacturing Procurement West Virginia Food Sourcing Strategies 177

Supply Chain Shaman

MARCH 21, 2023

Bloated inventories. Despite investments in planning, today, industries hold 28 more days of inventory than in 2004. The larger the number of days of inventory, the greater the cash drag.) Changes in Inventory Year-end inventory values by industry from Y Charts. The story continues. Rising inflation. The reason?

Inventory Reduction 418

Inventory Reduction Inventory Price Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies 418

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 31, 2024

How should a global manufacturer make a decision? And how can supply chain planning help? In one project, I am interviewing over fifty supply chain leaders on their perceived impact of advanced planning, what makes a good plan, and how effectively they use the technology. What defines a feasible plan?

Supply Chain Planning Software 413

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Design Software Scenario Planning 413

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

The supply chain planner role is the most dissatisfied of any employee in the supply chain, but most focus on improving engines using AI into conventional work processes. Supply Chain Hype Cycles Preparing to Sort Through the Hype As you pack your comfortable shoes into your case for the Big Show, do some the homework.

Supply Chain Planning Software 396

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Software Modeling Supply Chain Network Software 396

ToolsGroup

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

In addition, ToolsGroup was recognized as the leader in the 2024 SPARK Matrix for Global Supply Chain Inventory Optimization for the third consecutive year for its ability to reduce costs, maximize profitability, and meet customer’s strategic business goals.

ToolsGroup 156

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

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 19, 2025

Hosted at the Gaylord in Nashville the week harnessed the theme of machine speed and precision across connectedsupply chain processes. Supply chain modernization must occur in todays digital-centric world. The past approach of limited, incremental improvements is not sufficient for today’s supply chain needs.

Supply Chain Design Software 227

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Strategy 227

Enterra Insights

DECEMBER 17, 2024

For the past few years, the news has been filled with stories about supply chain disruptions, supply chain fragility, and the need for supply chain resilience. A term once prominent in supply discussions optimization isn’t heard quite as often as it used to be.

Optimal Sourcing 130

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Optimization Modeling Optimization Software 130

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 21, 2023

Wikipedia Unleashing the Contrarian Here are my thoughts this morning over coffee: Gartner Top 25: Really A Celebration of Supply Chain Leadership? While I was preparing for surgery, Gartner released the Gartner Top 25 Analysis. The analysis is now in its ninetieth year. Almost two decades of reporting. The reason?

Gartner 424

Gartner Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning 424

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 24, 2025

Self-congratulations notes abounded this week as vendor-after-vendor shared their rankings on the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Supply Chain Planning. I believe that the Gartner Magic Quadrant is a barrier to progress in supply chain planning, and that vendors that rally in support have a false sense of superiority.

Gartner 195

Gartner Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Scenario Planning 195

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 16, 2025

5G networks significantly improve data transmission speed, latency, and device connectivity, revolutionizing supply chain operations. Additionally, the high device connectivity supports better coordination and efficiency in supply chain processes. Next lets look at technical capabilities and applications in the domain.

Supply Chain Planning Software 180

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Network Software 180

ToolsGroup

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

What is Demand Forecasting in Supply Chain Management? Demand forecasting in supply chain management is the process of predicting customer demand, supply trends, and pricing fluctuations. To help you stay ahead, here are four strategies that supply chains leaders are using to win at demand forecasting.

Forecasting 156

Forecasting Modeling Supply and Demand Forecasting Software 156

ToolsGroup

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

What is Demand Forecasting in Supply Chain Management? Demand forecasting in supply chain management is the process of predicting customer demand, supply trends, and pricing fluctuations. To help you stay ahead, here are four strategies that supply chains leaders are using to win at demand forecasting.

Forecasting 156

Forecasting Modeling Supply and Demand Forecasting Software 156

ivalua

JUNE 12, 2025

Spend analysis is often the entry point. This blog offers a clear, practical overview of what spend analysis is, how it supports strategic sourcing, and why it matters for both direct and indirect procurement. Schedule a demo of Ivalua’s Spend Analysis solution today! Discover hidden savings and take control of your spend.

Cost Reduction Strategies 130

Cost Reduction Strategies Material Savings Expense Reduction Negotiating Skills 130

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 6, 2020

This is a story for the Eds, Franks, and Toms working together in supply chains across the globe. It is also a story for a young supply chain manager attempting to make a difference, but feeling stymied. Frank, the line manager for manufacturing, dominated the meetings. Sharing My Experience. The year was 1982.

Agile and Lean Supply Chain 362

Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Strategy 362

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

For over a decade, since founding Supply Chain Insights in 2012, I have pounded the keyboard, asking business leaders to think more holistically about the impact of supply chain decisions on the firm’s value, the improvement of a value chain, and the impact on the environment. Thirteen years. Change is Hard.

Supply Chain Design Software 221

Supply Chain Design Software Price Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Supply Chain Planning Software 221

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 9, 2024

Today, we published The Supply Chains to Admire for 2023. For a more detailed analysis, check out the Power point summary.) Supply Chains to Admire Winners 2023 Examine Your Own Paradigm. Supply Chains to Admire Winners 2023 Examine Your Own Paradigm. Congratulations to the 34 winners. I admit it.

Supply Chain Planning Software 386

Supply Chain Planning Software Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Planning Gartner 386

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 27, 2022

In a recent research project, we found that 2/3 of companies had a digital supply chain transformation strategy; however, those that were evolving their strategy performed better during the early months of the pandemic than those that were “clear” on the project plan for a digital transformation. Supply Chain 4.0.

Supply Chain Software 418

Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Inventory Reduction 418

ToolsGroup

MARCH 24, 2021

Now consider that by not optimizing your inventory from a global vantage point you may be creating, if not outright chaos, a much less efficient network than you could have. There are many pieces of the modern manufacturing supply chain. The basic approach to inventory optimization. This is no easy task.

Modeling 270

Modeling Optimization Software Inventory Reduction Network Optimization 270

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 3, 2018

” Here is an excerpt from the article: “…it isn’t by becoming more efficient that the supply chains of Wal-Mart, Dell, and Amazon have given those companies an edge over their competitors. According to my research, top-performing supply chains possess three very different qualities. What did we find?

Supply Chain Planning Software 377

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Software 377

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 5, 2018

At the Supply Chain Global Summit 2018 , Francois discussed the impact of digitalization, Industry 4.0, and L’Oréal’s approach to business that has allowed the company to continuously rank as a Supply Chains to Admire winner for four consecutive years. We complete the analysis each year.

Case Study 329

Case Study Inventory Reduction Agile and Lean Supply Chain Study 329

Enterra Insights

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains and upended the global economy, supply chain experts insisted that supply chain resilience was essential. There is a] need to prepare supply chains not only to survive, but to thrive in chaos.”[1] The reason?

Supply Chain Planning Software 130

Supply Chain Planning Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Planning 130

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 3, 2025

These steps include sourcing and receiving inventory, storing inventory, order processing, picking and packing an order, shipping the order, and returns management. Factors like planning tools, inventory management, demand patterns, and innovations in technology contribute to the success or failure of fulfillment optimization.

Optimal Sourcing 230

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Price Mitigation Strategies Sourcing Strategies 230

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 15, 2022

For companies that want to go beyond the traditional spreadsheet, which cannot handle this ocean of information efficiently, statistical methods such as cluster analysis can help. What is Cluster Analysis? Cluster analysis is a statistical umbrella term for methods that classify data points according to their attributes.

Optimal Sourcing 261

Optimal Sourcing Analysis Procurement Analytics Purchasing Skills 261

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

Companies are proactively acquiring electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, battery storage providers, and related infrastructure firms to embed sustainability into their operations. In 2023 alone, over $100 billion was invested in EV and battery supply chain M&A deals.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 199

Logistics Network Optimization Software Cost Reduction Strategies Price Reduction Inventory Reduction 199

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 30, 2021

I seethed as the news stations celebrated supply chain success for the December holidays. The health of the supply chain underpins our economy. When the supply chain is sick, all industries suffer. The supply chain can handle cost increases more easily than variability. I am worried.

Supply Chain Design Software 467

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Software 467

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 30, 2023

As a supply chain leader, he is struggling how to dance in the ring of fire. The ring of fire is corporate politics at the executive level on supply chain performance. Each executive has a different perspective on the definition of supply chain excellence, but they are never discussed and aligned.

Supply Chain Planning Software 387

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Eliminating Excel in Purchasing 387

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 16, 2021

In a survey of 150 global manufacturing executives, 47% committed to improving supply chain visibility and tracking. According to the Global Supply Chain Disruption and Future Strategies Survey Report, this goal was the top-ranked planned tool investment. What is supply chain visibility?

Supply Chain Visibility 329

Supply Chain Visibility Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Planning Software Scenario Planning 329

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 96

Sourcing Strategies Inventory Reduction Waste Reduction Expense Reduction 96

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 25, 2024

Note: Today’s post is part of our “Editor’s Choice” series where we highlight recent posts published by our sponsors that provide supply chain insights and advice. This article comes from Joan Lim, Senior Manager, Product Marketing at Oracle and looks at the intersection of autonomous supply chains and sustainability.

Supply Chain Software 310

Supply Chain Software Waste Reduction Supply Chain Optimization Resource Reduction 310

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 19, 2018

This afternoon, I poured myself a cup of tea to pen congratulation emails to the Supply Chains to Admire award winners. It takes us three months and two full-time research assistants to finish the analysis. Each year, based on feedback from supply chain leaders, we refine the methodology. What Can We Learn?

Gartner 277

Gartner Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Strategy 277

RFgen

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

Ever feel like your supply chain is a tangled mess of spreadsheets, frantic phone calls, and last-minute scrambles? It’s the key to transforming your supply chain from a source of frustration into a well-oiled, profit-generating machine. You’re not alone. That’s where data analytics comes in.

Optimal Sourcing 98

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Optimization Modeling Inventory Reduction 98

Supply Chain Shaman

AUGUST 7, 2019

Lab work testing follows vital sign analysis. In my work with manufacturing companies recently, I am thinking a lot about the need for diagnostic testing. Time For A Supply Chain Check-Up? When a company contacts me to help them with their supply chain, the pain is usually a gap in customer service.

Supply Chain Design Software 271

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

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 8, 2021

Belcorp’s Maturity in Supply Chain Design. Belcorp Corporation has actively worked to be a leader in ensuring that their people can effectively use a complex type of software known as supply chain design. It requires a company to further leverage the supply chain design philosophy.

Supply Chain Design Software 318

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Transformation Modeling 318

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 2, 2025

The Connected Supply Chain. Drip Digital Supply Chain. Autonomous Supply Chain Planning. Self-Healing Supply Chains. Touchless Supply Chains. Small companies outperform large companies, and the marquee customers of major supply chain planning technology providers underperform.

Optimal Sourcing 195

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Supply Chain Design Software 195

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 28, 2020

When I started my business in 2012, I frequently wrote about the future using the moniker of Supply Chain 2020. We had just recovered from a recession, and my goal was to help supply chain leaders create a better supply chain by the end of the decade. At that time, Supply Chain 2020 seemed so far away.

Supply Chain Planning Software 418

Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Forecasting Software Modeling 418