ToolsGroup

JUNE 2, 2023

Suddenly, managing inventory is the name of the game for companies trying to manage working capital and maximize profit while keeping customers happy. And that’s where real-time perpetual inventory signals come in. Plus, accurate inventory information is the key to optimal decision-making.

Real-time Visibility 294

Real-time Visibility Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Inventory Reduction 294

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 1, 2021

Why should we consider Promotion Planning in Inventory Management? Whether it be e-commerce, brick-and-mortar, or both, retail companies care about the inventory they keep. During promotional management, especially for big events around special days and holidays, inventory levels need to be adjusted to meet the peaks in demand.

Inventory Management Software 279

Inventory Management Software Supply Chain Planning Software Inventory Management Optimal Sourcing 279

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 24, 2025

In this blog, I also make the argument that if you follow the Gartner Magic Quadrant direction, you may decrease the value of the firm. In the Gartner Top 25 methodology, we find that 59% of the Top 25 winners score below their peer group on average revenue growth, 41% below inventory turns, and 41% below Returned on Capital Employed (ROCE).

Gartner 195

Gartner Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Scenario Planning 195

RFgen

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

Picture this: You’re a warehouse manager, and with a few taps on your smartphone, you instantly know the exact location and quantity of every item in your inventory. That’s not science fiction—it’s the power of mobile inventory management. Ready to turn your inventory from a headache into a strategic asset?

Inventory Management Software 96

Inventory Management Software Real-time Visibility Inventory Reduction Inventory Management 96

GlobalTranz

DECEMBER 27, 2017

Today, is day two of our annual year-end series highlighting the top blog posts in each of our 5 main categories: Manufacturing , Supply Chain , Logistics , Transportation Management , Freight. There were approximately 220 blog posts in 2017, and over 360,000 page views on those posts alone. Share This: Read More.

Supply Chain Software 197

Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Optimization Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Strategy 197

Enchange Supply Chain Consultancy

JUNE 10, 2025

Do Set Clear KPIs and Governance Structures : Establish transparent metrics for sales, coverage, and service levels. Do Embrace Technology and Data : Use real-time data for demand forecasting, inventory management, and route optimization. A well-equipped distributor is an extension of your brand and a key to market penetration.

Waste Reduction 165

Waste Reduction Vendor Strategies Inventory Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies 165

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 2, 2024

The month of December was my longest writing respite since I started this blog in January 2010. Posting the first blog seems like yesterday, but thirteen years and over 540 blogs later, taking a pause from a weekly deadline was badly needed. Today is a writing day. My last post was December 7th, 2023. ” Figure 2.

Gartner 368

Gartner Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Case Study 368

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 28, 2020

Only four percent of companies compared to their peer groups improved balance sheet performance of growth, operating margin, and inventory turns. When compared to pre-recession years, we ended the decade with twenty more days of inventory. Days of Inventory Comparison. Now, let’s take consumer products. What can we learn?

Supply Chain Planning Software 418

Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Forecasting Software Modeling 418

ToolsGroup

MARCH 11, 2025

For demand forecasting, this means looking beyond mere accuracy to focus on: Strategic decision-making improvements Cost reduction strategies Inventory optimization Customer service enhancement 2.Understand Define Clear Business Outcomes The most successful technology investments start with a clear understanding of desired business outcomes.

Forecasting 156

Forecasting Inventory Reduction Forecasting Software Cost Reduction Strategies 156

ToolsGroup

JANUARY 21, 2025

Returns Management and Integration With 35% of online purchases being returned, predominantly to physical stores, retailers are grappling with the ripple effects on inventory management. Early adopters of these integrated platforms report significant improvements in inventory turnover and reduction in stockouts.

Supply Chain Planning Software 156

Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Software Inventory Reduction Price Reduction 156

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 24, 2022

I often write my blogs in my head as I swim. The future inventory fire sale. One of my stark realizations this year is that smaller companies are beating larger and often more established companies on growth metrics, inventory turns, operating margin, and Return on Invested Capital (ROIC). (In Baby formula. Toilet Paper.

Supply Chain Planning Software 397

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Software 397

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 1, 2024

I try to post weekly on this blog. Optimization engines to improve functional metric performance resulted in an exploding number of planners. Rolling up a perpetual inventory signal takes eleven hours. In my last blog post, I shared insights on data synchronization between brand owners and contract manufacturing.

Supply Chain Planning Software 392

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Waste Reduction 392

ToolsGroup

MARCH 25, 2025

Even more impressive, lost sales due to stockouts can decrease by up to 65%, while inventory reductions of 20% to 50% are possible. This advanced analysis allows businesses to predict promotional lift with unprecedented accuracy, ensuring optimized production schedules and inventory positioning through sophisticated supply planning.

Supply and Demand 156

Supply and Demand Forecasting Forecasting Software Modeling 156

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 29, 2014

I will write more on this in my next blog post.). In this blog, I hope that I push you too. It is tough for me to see that nine out of ten companies are stuck, and not making progress, at the intersection of operating margin and inventory turns. These new technologies are evolving. (I Q3: How do I become demand-driven?

Supply Chain Planning Software 379

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Demand Planning Software Optimization Software 379

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 23, 2014

Get Good at Having a Real-time Perpetual Inventory Signal. Foundational for ecommerce is a real-time perpetual inventory (PI) signal. If you are going to be excellent at ecommerce fulfillment, you need to have great perpetual inventory capabilities. No matter where inventory is, put it to work. Don’t fool yourself.

Packaging 332

Packaging Supply Chain Design Software Inventory Reduction San Francisco 332

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 29, 2014

I just don’t think the comparison of very different industries in a spreadsheet based on growth, inventory values, and Return on Assets (ROA) is meaningful. As a result, the metrics have to be viewed together as a pattern over time. In the journey, the supply chain leader needs to improve the potential of a portfolio of metrics.

Gartner 366

Gartner Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Planning Software Pharmaceutical 366

ToolsGroup

JANUARY 22, 2020

In my decades of working in replenishment and inventory optimization, I’ve noticed that many companies seek solutions to symptoms rather than the underlying problem. They want to have an aging report for inventory or a report on vendor performance. Let’s examine the first: inventory aging reports.

Optimization Software 199

Optimization Software Inventory Reduction Forecasting Software Predictive Analytics Software 199

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 15, 2022

This blog will review how category managers and supply planners can use cluster analysis to make smarter decisions and grow sales. ABC Analysis for Inventory Planning : Clustering products that behave similarly highlights issues, challenges, and opportunities for serving customers better. The retail industry is rich with data.

Optimal Sourcing 260

Optimal Sourcing Analysis Procurement Analytics Purchasing Skills 260

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 22, 2015

The impact of complexity on inventory is not quick. To help, today I want to share some of the insights from our recent Inventory Optimization study. Inventory management is a hot issue. Companies invest in project after project, yet inventory levels remain the same. The Business Problem. The analogy is weight loss.

Inventory Reduction 150

Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Design Software Inventory Supply Chain Planning Software 150

BlueYonder

APRIL 8, 2025

The traditional metrics of excellence cost efficiency, on-time delivery while still important, are no longer sufficient in an era defined by volatility, complexity and political changes. The stakes are high, in previous blog posts New Tariffs Are Coming and The Pressures of Omni-Channel Fulfillment and Returns Are Growing.

Supply Chain Network Software 101

Supply Chain Network Software Supply Chain Planning Software Network Optimization Supply Chain Design Software 101

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 12, 2013

Focus the organization on understanding the “probability and patterns of demand” and how to design push/pull decoupling points, supplier networks and inventory buffers to improve agility (focusing on form and function of inventory in the supply chain). Next week, I will be writing on my new book Metrics That Matter.

Supply Chain Design Software 322

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Modeling Software 322

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 3, 2015

We were discussing the results of the planning benchmarking work that we have just finished, and I was sharing some insights on inventory management when one of the panelists emphatically stated, “Inventory is a waste to manage. We feel so strongly about this that we do not have an inventory planning role.”

Waste Reduction 150

Waste Reduction Inventory Reduction Inventory Optimal Sourcing 150

My Office Apps

OCTOBER 21, 2024

What is Vendor Relationship Management (VRM) and Why It’s Essential for Your ERP and Inventory Software? Strong vendor relationships are critical for business success, especially when it comes to managing inventory and procurement. Stay tuned for our series of insightful blogs—your roadmap to exploring the full potential of ERP.

Vendor Strategies 98

Vendor Strategies Procurement Solutions Supply Chain Planning Software Optimization Software 98

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 3, 2015

When it comes to the management of inventory in value chains, frustration abounds. Executive, after executive, lament, “They have purchased many technologies and sponsored many projects to reduce inventories, but they are not seeing results.” Inventory is the culmination of many business decisions. Tracking Progress.

Inventory Reduction 150

Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Inventory Management Software 150

Supply Chain Matters

MARCH 14, 2025

Supply Chain Matters highlights indications providing added evidence that manufacturers and retailers are front loading inventory management actions in attempts to initially hedge against added U.S. We cited indications of the post Lunar New Year ramp-up of global production levels to replenish inventories, more so than in prior years.

Inventory Reduction 52

Inventory Reduction Inventory Report Price Reduction 52

ivalua

MAY 29, 2025

In this blog, we cover the key differences between procurement and supply chain management, and explain where the biggest disconnects typically occur. While procurement operates as a function within the broader supply chain, it has its own set of priorities for strategic sourcing in procurement, performance metrics, and specialized processes.

Procurement Solutions 130

Procurement Solutions Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software 130

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 1, 2015

I am speaking this morning at the Terra Technology conference and doing a book signing of my new book, Supply Chain Metrics That Matter. In parallel, I have been hard at work on a report on multi-tier inventory optimization for the last two weeks. It is morning in Orlando. The sun is rising. This inbound news adds to the story.

Supply Chain Design Software 150

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Network Design Software Optimization Software 150

SCMDOJO

APRIL 11, 2025

Is inventory bloating your costs? Running procurement and supply chain without metrics is like driving blindfolded. A scorecard acts as your dashboard, providing crucial visibility that helps you: Make Data-Driven Decisions: Replace guesswork with facts when evaluating suppliers, processes, and inventory levels.

Pricing Training 72

Pricing Training Negotiating Skills Optimal Sourcing Purchasing Skills 72

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 8, 2024

No company in either the household non-durable (consumer goods) or the food manufacturing group beat their peer group on the balanced scorecard of growth, inventory turns, operating margin, and Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) for 2013-2022. The supply chain has two important buffers–inventory and capacity. Any takers here?

Supply Chain Design Software 243

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Software Supply Chain Network Software 243

ToolsGroup

MAY 8, 2025

According to Gartner , early stages of S&OP maturity often lack formal processes, metrics, and cross-functional participation. Optimization Advanced modeling of real-world constraints like capacity, lead times, and inventory ensures efficient execution. Some organizations do collaboration well.

Inventory Reduction 156

Inventory Reduction Price Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Supply Chain Planning Software 156

SCMDOJO

OCTOBER 30, 2024

This blog explores how MTSS platforms can be strategically utilized to build the competencies necessary for success in supply chain management. For instance, a student struggling with inventory management concepts can receive supplementary materials, interactive simulations, and one-on-one tutoring sessions tailored to their needs.

Supply Chain Planning Software 97

Supply Chain Planning Software Analytics Software Forecasting Software Predictive Analytics Software 97

SCMDOJO

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

This blog explains The Key MRP Metrics in Supply Chain whcih every supply chain professional in Manufacturing or Distribution Businesses. The metrics that underpin MRP could be described as the balls in this juggling act. This article takes an in-depth look at the crucial metrics every supply chain professional needs to know.

Procurement Analytics 98

Procurement Analytics Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Metrics 98

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 11, 2023

Let’s explore nine in this blog. 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. Art of the Possible. technologies. Measurement.

Supply Chain Planning Software 417

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Forecasting Software Supply Chain Network Software 417

Supply Chain Shaman

MARCH 5, 2019

In this blog post, I give a framework to drive discussions. The focus is on functional metrics, but are unable to get to overall supply chain metrics. For example, only 29% of manufacturing companies can access total cost data and 31% struggle to see the impact of business decisions on inventory. Business Use Cases.

Supply Chain Design Software 339

Supply Chain Design Software Prescriptive Analytics Software Real-time Visibility Supply Chain Planning Software 339

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 1, 2014

As hospitals adopted consignment planning programs, inventory progress slowed. The turns are the lowest of any industry, and despite investments in technologies and processes, inventory turns have only improved 3%, and Cash-T0-Cash (C2C) cycles have declined 4%. The shift of inventory without the sharing of data is a mistake.

Supply Chain Planning Software 333

Supply Chain Planning Software San Diego Supply and Demand Pharmaceutical 333

ToolsGroup

AUGUST 20, 2019

Gartner says that the most common outsourced SCP processes are inventory management, statistical forecasting and service parts planning. Companies moving to BPO in these practice areas are experiencing supply chain improvements in metrics such as inventory turnover and customer service. versus $4.84 per $1000 of revenue).

Supply Chain Planning Software 214

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

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 29, 2023

He has published numerous thought leadership articles, whitepapers, blogs and delivered dozens of webinars during his career. Here is a summary of the key supply chain characteristics of each of the manufacturing strategy and how it impacts collaboration with suppliers.

Manufacturing Procurement 269

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Material Savings Inventory Reduction 269