Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 21, 2015

An effective S&OP plan is the goal of many, but there is no clear industry definition of an effectiveness. While there are many maturity models, most are not research based. To better understand the characteristics of an effective S&OP plan, we just completed a study of seventy-three companies. In the quantitative survey, completed this summer, thirty respondents rate their processes as effective and forty-three rate the their S&OP processes as less effective on a seven point scale.

S&OP 295

S&OP Supply and Demand Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning 295

GlobalTranz

SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Supply chain industry leaders have access to more information today than ever before in history. Thanks to data gathering programs, supply chain software , and data entry applications, this represents a mountain of data, which has the potential to provide ground-breaking insight into how to improve business-model efficiency. As a result, business leaders can reap a significant return on investment by thoroughly analyzing this data.

Big Data 263

Big Data Procurement Analytics Supply Chain Design Software Optimal Sourcing 263

Talking Logistics

SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

Recently it seems that more and more organizations are recognizing that their supply chains are a key component to the organization’s success. From the increasing adoption of a chief supply chain officer at major organizations to discussions of legislative changes , the influence of the supply chain on competitive advantage is more recognized than ever.

Supply Chain Design Software 202

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Software 202

ToolsGroup

SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

Demand volatility is cited by Gartner, IDC and other analyst firms as the number one obstacle identified by corporate executives to achieving their supply chain goals. But companies can overcome this obstacle by positioning the right inventory across the supply chain to absorb such volatility. Fixing forecasts is important. But generating good forecasts is still difficult for even the best managed companies.

Modeling 188

Modeling Optimal Sourcing Supply and Demand Demand Planning Software 188

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Product lead time is crucial in the life sciences industry and represents a key consideration for customers’ purchasing decisions. For this reason, BD Biosciences aimed to optimize its global supply and distribution network to reduce delivery lead time to customers and optimize its global inventory. How was BD Biosciences successful in reducing global distribution lead times between 30% and 60% in addition to: Increasing agility to prioritize urgent and ad-hoc customer requests Increasing global

Inventory Reduction

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 20, 2015

Platitude: a flat, dull, or trite remark, especially one uttered as if it were fresh or profound. Source: Dictionary.com. During the year, I go to a lot of conferences. In the process, I get to hear the views of many thought leaders. As I sit on the back row, I hear platitudes (A number of concepts positioned at a high level without clarity on how to execute).

Inventory Reduction 263

Inventory Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Sourcing Strategies Supply Chain Strategy 263

Kinaxis

SEPTEMBER 21, 2015

by Alexa Cheater We recently had the chance to sit down with Gary Hanifan, Managing Director, Accenture Strategy, to discuss all things supply chain. And one of the biggest topics coming out of that discussion was how you can determine if your supply chain is a growth engine. One big red flag it might not be? Your supply chain is still linear. According to Hanifan, networks are the wave of the future.

Supply Chain Strategy 178

Supply Chain Strategy Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Currency 178

Enchange Supply Chain Consultancy

SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

I speak to many FMCG companies who tell me they do not need Sales & Operational Planning in their businesses. As a formal process they may not be operating to S&OP norms but if they are getting their products onto shelves then some form of S&OP must be in place. This may not be optimum or efficient but at the end of the day their products are in front of consumers and ready for purchase or not, depending on how successfully your sales and marketing colleagues have stimulated the mark

S&OP 143

S&OP Supply and Demand Scenario Planning Supply Chain Planning Software 143

DELMIA Quintiq

SEPTEMBER 20, 2015

There’s nothing better and more delicious than a cold beer and plate of sizzling meat, don’t you agree? With Oktoberfest having started on Saturday and Christmas around the corner, the rising demand for meat will mean one of the busiest times for the industry. Do you have your plans ready for the busy season ahead? The meat of the matter. As part of the fresh food business, the main challenge is supply chain complexity due to the need for freshness, high service levels and price pressure from th

Forecasting 139

Forecasting Scenario Planning Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning 139

GlobalTranz

SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

Cerasis is by legal definition a freight broker. Although our claim to fame is our web based TMS freight rating technology, the Cerasis Rater , which includes a technology suite of products and integrated managed transportation services , it is in our interest to understand the future of freight and how we as freight brokers fit in. Even if you yourself only manage freight and are responsible for all that goes into transportation, logistics, or supply chain at your company, it is also vital for

Freight 249

Freight Price Reduction Predictive Analytics Software Resource Reduction 249

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Robots are a cornerstone of a smart factory, automating a wide range of manufacturing tasks that are monotonous, physically straining, or even hazardous. However, real-world robotics deployments have not lived up to the revolutionary potential the industrial sector had originally envisioned. Robot implementations are typically confined to specific applications, carry high costs, and are time-consuming.

Manufacturing

Kinaxis

SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

by Alexa Cheater For our final interview in our ‘Learn from the Masters’ series, we sat down with business consultant Ken Poe. Coming up on his two year anniversary with Kinaxis, Ken provides some great insight into the supply chain management field. How did you come to find yourself in a supply chain software business consultant role – what was your path to here?

Supply Chain Planning Software 155

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain 155

Talking Logistics

SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

The Pope addressed the U.S. Congress yesterday and he called on our leaders to show mercy and compassion to truck drivers , encouraged them to work together to pass a long-term highway funding bill , and he cautioned our lawmakers about moving too quickly on enabling a world “where birds with blades for wings cover our skies,” an apparent reference to drones.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 133

Logistics Network Optimization Software San Diego Logistics Supply Chain Software 133

The Network Effect

SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

Nguyen Hung Vu/Flickr. Traditionally, when a CEO paid attention to their supply chain, it meant something had gone wrong. Strategically, compared to other areas of the business, the supply chain was a relative backwater. The conventional wisdom held that so long as you kept pace with your industry’s averages, you were doing fine. Although companies were only too eager to participate in arms races with competitors that saw sky-high R&D, marketing, and legal spends, for some reason when it cam

Supply Chain Software 130

Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Texas Supply Chain Network Software 130

Enterra Insights

SEPTEMBER 21, 2015

“A study of cross-industry supply chain executives by Barloworld Supply Chain Software (Barloworld SCS), found 83 per cent of respondents … Continued. The post Supply Chains are Adversely Affected by Global Complexity appeared first on Enterra Solutions.

Supply Chain Software 125

Supply Chain Software Global Supply Chain Supply Chain Execution 125

Learn how centralizing slow-moving SKUs can help reduce fulfillment costs by $300M+ while boosting fulfillment efficiency.

Cost Reduction Strategies

SCM Research

SEPTEMBER 21, 2015

The Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh in 2013 has opened the eyes of many supply chain managers: Implementing a socially responsible supply chain has, indeed, become an imperative for global corporations and the supply chain management discipline might be in the middle of a paradigm shift. A World Economic Forum report, Beyond Supply Chains: Empowering Responsible Value Chains (pdf; prepared in collaboration with Accenture), examines how companies strive for what the authors call “

Bangladesh 120

Bangladesh Report Supply Chain Global 120

Elementum

SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

This year’s El Niño might be the biggest one yet. Here’s what can we learn from the most extreme to date, which impacted supply chains from 1997 to 1998. During El Niño, warm water travels further east and disrupts trade winds. Photo courtesy Wikipedia. El Niño Explained. El Niño is not a storm system. It’s an abnormal warming of the waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean, typically occurring every two to seven years.

North America 103

North America Supply Chain Planning Software Predictive Analytics Software South America 103

The Network Effect

SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

erikleenaars/Flickr. Many people regard choices as a good thing. However, one must realize that few choices can beget discomfort or unhappiness and too many choices leads to confusion, regret of alternatives not taken, and second guessing. Today, the business world is more complex than it has ever been. Adaptation to the marketplace is required in order to be successful, and therefore, choices must be made.

Omnichannel 128

Omnichannel Transportation Supply Chain Inventory 128

Enterra Insights

SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

“A digital enterprise,” according to one widely accepted definition, “is an organization that uses technology as a competitive advantage in … Continued. The post Mapping the Road to the Digital Enterprise appeared first on Enterra Solutions.

Supply Chain Software 122

Supply Chain Software Big Data Supply Chain Technology Data 122

Advertiser: GEP

“What should we do about the tariffs?” There’s no straightforward answer — every leader has a different expectation. CFOs want numbers. COOs want action. CEOs want strategy. And supply chain and procurement leaders need to be ready with the right response — fast. That’s why GEP has created a simple three-part framework that will help CPOs and CSCOs brief the board and C-suite with clarity and confidence.

Supply Chain Strategy

Arkieva

SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

In one of my previous posts , I wrote about using coefficient of variation (CV) as a predictor of forecastability. In this post, I will talk about how it can be used to indicate a sensitivity of lead time towards the safety stock calculations. To quickly remind the reader first: The formula for CV = StdDev (σ) / Mean (µ). And the formula for (cycle) safety stock is: (more detailed description here ).

Forecasting 89

Forecasting Inventory Reduction Supply and Demand Quality 89

Elementum

SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

The answer is… transportation. The lithium boom signals a shift in manufacturing and energy in the United States—but the popular mineral is facing some obstacles when it comes to heavy air and rail regulation. The energy industry loves the lithium boom. There’s no underestimating the significance of lithium in today’s energy market. Companies like Tesla are embracing the cheap and hugely efficient energy alternative , setting the stage for an explosion of suppliers and investors.

Transportation 96

Transportation Manufacturing Procurement Sourcing Strategies South America 96

ModusLink Corporation

SEPTEMBER 21, 2015

Why ModusLink? This was a question I asked myself when contemplating the potential move from my former position at RB to join up with the team at ModusLink.Sure, ModusLink has an impressive stable of customers and delivers the high level of service that brands like Motorola, Samsung and GoPro have come to expect of a […]. The post Why Moduslink?

Global 84

Global Supply Chain Supply and Demand 84

Enterra Insights

SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

“Carpe diem … seize the day,” writes Roger Schenck, Manager of Content Promotions at Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS). “This Latin … Continued. The post Carpe Datem: Big Data Analytics are No Longer Optional appeared first on Enterra Solutions.

Big Data 109

Big Data Analytics Software Analytics Data 109

Speaker: Andrew Skoog, Founder of MachinistX & President of Hexis Representatives

Manufacturing is evolving, and the right technology can empower—not replace—your workforce. Smart automation and AI-driven software are revolutionizing decision-making, optimizing processes, and improving efficiency. But how do you implement these tools with confidence and ensure they complement human expertise rather than override it? Join industry expert Andrew Skoog as he explores how manufacturers can leverage automation to enhance operations, streamline workflows, and make smarter, data-dri

Manufacturing

Supply Chain View from the Field

SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

I was recently involved in a survey of best practices in establishing a diverse supply base. The most important and common method for driving diversity objectives in the survey (in 73% of firms) involves explicitly building in diversity as an objective into sourcing processes. It is not uncommon to find that sourcing managers do not view diversity as a priority.

Optimal Sourcing 69

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Purchasing Training Metrics 69

NFI Industries

SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

If you’ve been to a gas station in the past few weeks, you may have noticed how much less it costs to fill your tank. In the beginning of September, cost of oil fell to under $50 a barrel 1. As fuel prices continue to fluctuate, it impacts shippers and their supply chains: Consumer Spending Speeding. READ MORE.

Supply Chain 69

Supply Chain Supply and Demand Transportation 69

Tompkins Blog

SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Jim Tompkins addressed four topics during his keynote speech at the 2015 Tompkins Supply Chain Leadership Forum. Attendees had great follow-up questions that required detailed answers from Jim. The post Final Delivery Q&A From The 2015 Supply Chain Leadership Forum appeared first on Tompkins International.

Supply Chain 67

Supply Chain Supply and Demand 3PL Retail 67

Enterra Insights

SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

Millennials are often discussed as though they form a homogeneous (even monolithic) group. But as I have pointed out in … Continued. The post Targeted Marketing to Millennials means Identifying Lots of Targets appeared first on Enterra Solutions.

Groups 109

Groups Big Data Data Supply Chain 109

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The $53 trillion manufacturing economy in the US is undergoing a major automation paradigm shift due to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Thanks to new practical frameworks, automation projects that were once impossible or inefficient to implement are now being fast-tracked, and robotics automation is becoming increasingly relevant to a growing number of users and scenarios.

Modeling

E2open

SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

NPI: Building a Path to Faster Production and Greater Profitability. cegner. Friday 25 September 2015. Geoff Annesley, General Manager, Semiconductor. Today’s new production introduction (NPI) landscape is dynamic and fast-paced—and many manufacturers are struggling to keep up. What’s weighing them down? Traditional enterprise resource planning (ERP) and product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions that simply weren’t designed to manage NPI from end to end.

Supply Chain Design Software 60

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Software 60

NFI Industries

SEPTEMBER 21, 2015

If you’ve been to a gas station in the past few weeks, you may have noticed how much less it costs to fill your tank. In the beginning of September, cost of oil fell. Read more. 09/22/2015. Supply Chain. Transportation. Supply Chain, Transportation.

Transportation 69

Transportation Supply Chain Supply and Demand 69

Tompkins Blog

SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Jim Tompkins addressed four topics during his keynote speech at the 2015 Tompkins Supply Chain Leadership Forum. Attendees had great follow-up questions that required detailed answers from Jim. The post Customer Centricity Q&A From The 2015 Supply Chain Leadership Forum appeared first on Tompkins International.

Supply Chain 65

Supply Chain Supply and Demand 3PL Retail 65