Supply Chain View from the Field

APRIL 1, 2015

Many people are talking about Key Performance Indicators, Metrics, Analytics, and other indicators of performance. The importance of selecting the right metrics or “measures” as I prefer to call them, is critical as we all know that metrics drive behaviors. Step 2 – Develop Metrics and Data Sources.

Cost Reduction Strategies 60

Cost Reduction Strategies Material Savings Inventory Reduction Resource Reduction 60

Logility

JANUARY 16, 2018

Sometimes demand planners focus too much on forecast accuracy and miss seeing the forest for the trees. I was guilty of this from time to time when I led a demand-planning group because we were evaluated on forecast accuracy as one of our key metrics. Here in lays the crux of the issue with demand sensing.

Supply and Demand 102

Supply and Demand Demand Planning Software Forecasting Supply Chain Planning Software 102

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 25, 2016

Dear Supply Chain Leader, Today, sitting in my seat in 11K on a Cathay Pacific flight between Hong Kong and Boston, I want to report that there is no Easter Bunny. Today I also want to report that, based on over a decade of scientific discovery, traditional supply chain practices are not best practices. There is also no Santa Claus.

Supply and Demand 150

Supply and Demand Prescriptive Analytics Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software 150

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 30, 2017

I miss the days of Walter Cronkite reporting the news. As I facilitated the class and discussed the findings , the theme of data sharing and demand management was prevalent. Most companies have applied the regional practices of demand management to global teams. Instead, we have talking heads sharing opinions.

San Francisco 153

San Francisco Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Software San Jose 153

Supply Chain Shaman

AUGUST 26, 2015

Many organizations will play the shell game of reporting forecast error so that the numbers look better: either calculating the forecast at a higher level in the forecast hierarchy (not at the item level) or reporting the data as a Weighted Mean Absolute Error. This gives supply chain leaders a false sense of security.

Supply and Demand 150

Supply and Demand Forecasting Modeling Forecasting Software 150

Unleashed

OCTOBER 5, 2023

It involves tasks like enhancing warehouse layouts, arranging inventory within the warehouse, managing personnel and equipment, and ensuring efficient order picking and packing. There are often features that crossover between warehouse management software and stock management software. Bureau of Labor Statistics , 4.4%

Inventory Reduction 52

Inventory Reduction Waste Reduction Material Savings Resource Reduction 52

Material Handling & Logistics

OCTOBER 11, 2017

A few years ago I purchased a sofa from a well-known furniture store. Many companies try to overcome this problem using ERP systems, demand management tools and other advanced software. Simple lean supply chain techniques such as pull and leveling cost very little to implement and can have a big impact on lead times.

Agile and Lean Supply Chain 83

Agile and Lean Supply Chain Lean Inventory Reduction Price Reduction 83