Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 30, 2025

Aptean is orchestrating the Blue Yonder/E2open/Infor playbook of buying undervalued assets and milking the maintenance and Software-as-a-Service contracts with existing customers. The models are just too different.) Is it musical chairs? Or a Merry-Go-Round? I am not sure, but it does not feel good. Here, I give my take. New Players.

Supply Chain Planning Software 221

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Modeling Modeling Software 221

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 27, 2022

Supply chain excellence is easier to say than to explain. The promise of a well-intended consultant just sounds sooooooo good. Keith led the work to move P&G from a regional to a global manufacturer opening up the Warsaw center of planning excellence and outsourcing IT to HP. The reason? A Case Study. Was this by design?

Procurement Analytics 369

Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 369

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

Today, supply chain excellence matters more than ever. Until there are clear answers, business leaders should avoid buying software from companies with deep investments by venture capitalists. They are just too risky. During the pandemic, the supply chain discussions take new importance. Reflection. Evolution is messy.

Supply Chain Design Software 362

Supply Chain Design Software Procurement Solutions Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software 362

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 9, 2024

The companies with the strongest year-over-year performance (placing in the winner’s circle for six more times in ten years) are Apple, L’Oreal, Nike, Paccar, TJX, and TSMC. How Do You Define Excellence? In retrospect, I find that technology is an enabler, but only if we are clear on what defines supply chain excellence.

Supply Chain Planning Software 386

Supply Chain Planning Software Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Planning Gartner 386

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 21, 2024

In follow-up qualitative interviews, one of the largest issues with organizational alignment was metric definition and a clear definition of supply chain excellence. In follow-up qualitative interviews, one of the largest issues with organizational alignment was metric definition and a clear definition of supply chain excellence.

Procurement Analytics 393

Procurement Analytics Metrics Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software 393

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 4, 2018

As I press the pedal to the floor at 80 miles-per-hour, I munch Cheetos puffs (one of my favorites) and think about the session I just finished. I wanted to say, “You let the consultants influence you to buy the wrong technologies based on IT standardization. 90, then 80, followed by 76. The highway rolls ahead of me.

Inventory Management Software 337

Inventory Management Software Inventory Reduction Inventory Management Supply Chain Planning Software 337

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 29, 2024

In 2012, when I started Supply Chain Insights , I believed that I could revolutionize the purchase of supply chain planning solutions by initiating a rating and review process across trading partners. Buying supply chain planning software is hard. Many technologies (I count six) are missing, and most of the ratings are just wrong.

Supply Chain Planning Software 417

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Forecasting Software 417

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 2, 2021

There will be little relief in 2022 unless the factors driving the increased import volumes—a strong economy and the fundamental shift in consumer behavior to purchase more goods and less services—change. Online buying will fuel home delivery growth, challenges and new strategies. Here’s what to look for in 2022.

Predictive Analytics Software 354

Predictive Analytics Software Predictive Analytics Waste Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies 354

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 13, 2024

Observations on What It Takes In the Mea Culpa post, I wrote that I used to believe that excellence in S&OP was a ratio of 60/30/10. (60% In my recent Mea Culpa post, I mentioned my prior work on Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP), and the importance of leadership. Sounds easy, right? Leadership and S&OP? ” I cringe.

S&OP 393

S&OP Supply and Demand Inventory Reduction Expense Reduction 393

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 28, 2021

Consumers constantly change the mix preferences in purchases. Somedays, the focus is on steaks or ribs and the next on the purchase of ground or cubed meat. Idiomatic expressions are a type of informal language rooted in meaning that is different from the literal definitions of the words used in the expression. ). What do I mean?

Supply Chain Planning Software 322

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

ToolsGroup

JUNE 10, 2022

Several factors contribute to customer loyalty, but providing excellent customer service—and a top-notch experience–is one of the most important in driving retention. 6 Examples of Excellent Customer Experiences. Their time is highly valued. Each customer is treated like a friend, one worth investing time and energy into.

Customer Service 295

Customer Service Examples Price Reduction Sourcing Strategies 295

The Logistics of Logistics

MARCH 16, 2022

Esther is the Chief Revenue Officer at Flowspace , an ecommerce fulfillment platform that helps brands meet their customers’ post-purchase expectations. Flowspace is an ecommerce fulfillment platform that helps brands meet their customers’ post-purchase expectations. About Esther Kestenbaum Prozan.

Supply Chain Network Software 245

Supply Chain Network Software Supply Chain Planning Software Network Optimization Network Optimization Software 245

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 7, 2023

Background The Council of Supply Chain Resilience met for the first time this month. Today, I speak at the North American Manufacturing Association, Manufacturing Leadership Conference, in Nashville on the use of data to improve supply chain resilience. Here I share some insights from my research. The reason? We are not clear on definition.

Supply Chain Design Software 395

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Supply Chain Software 395

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 16, 2023

Clear operating strategy and definition of supply chain excellence across plan, source, make and deliver. Most companies buy decision support technology, but do not redefine work to improve decisions. The journey for S&OP is a road with many ruts and potholes. I am also amazed. Drives Value. S&OP is a business process.

S&OP 390

S&OP Supply and Demand Forecasting Supply Chain Design Software 390

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

The output was just not helpful. We have too hard-wired solutions bolted into IT architectures to enable the flexibility needed by business leaders during times of high variability. Initially, the output was published to procurement to design strategic buying strategies. Over time, this changed. It will not be over soon.

Supply Chain Planning Software 355

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply and Demand Procurement Analytics 355

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 9, 2023

Commerce is global and regional at the same time, the world is getting smaller and more interconnected, and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) manufacturers operate in this build-anywhere and sell-anywhere market. The classical approach involves functional silos, sequential decisions, and Excel and people to render a plan executable.

Supply Chain Planning Software 283

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Forecasting Software Optimization Software 283

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

Given your expertise, I’d love to hear what alternatives you recommend for better demand forecasting and real-time visibility beyond what’s commonly adopted today.” The issues are largely rooted in politics and the lack of clarity on supply chain excellence. In a recent blog post, I was challenged by Anna.

Supply and Demand 431

Supply and Demand Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Demand Planning 431

SCMDOJO

JANUARY 9, 2025

Think of them as apples and gearseach essential and effective on its own, yet when combined; they create a formidable mechanism for achieving procurement excellence. Moreover, early supplier involvement in product development helps businesses reduce time-to-market, improve product quality, and lower costs. Click here!

Optimal Sourcing 98

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Solutions Negotiating Skills 98

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 24, 2018

<Bear with me… > Here I share a nine-step process in an attempt to help companies unravel the process for buying supply chain planning software. I think that it is time for some straight talk. They center on how to make a good decision in the purchase of supply chain planning solutions. Get a cup of coffee.

Supply Chain Planning Software 252

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Software 252

Procurement Academy

APRIL 24, 2025

This blog explores procurement vs supply chain strategy and looks at how aligning the two leads to operational excellence. The procurement team is responsible for ensuring that the inputs to a business (whether goods or services) are of the right quality, delivered on time, and aligned with strategic goals. The problem?

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Negotiating Skills Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 52

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022

In 2021, more than $25 billion was invested in supply chain companies in just the first three quarters of the year. The company buying his company, EXE Technologies, is now infamous among those who have followed the WMS market. We asked for $2 million to buy more robots and then shortly thereafter another $4m.

Modeling Software 283

Modeling Software Supply Chain Planning Software Logistics Network Optimization Software Demand Planning Software 283

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

Unloading times are double and costs are triple. At the time, a functionally encased view of visibility was sufficient. The secondary problem is the lack of definition of process requirements and a buying team that cannot see past simple MRP/MRP II/DDMRP requirements. Supply chain shortages abound. Reflection. The reason?

Supply Chain Planning Software 390

Supply Chain Planning Software Sourcing Strategies Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Design Software 390

DELMIA Quintiq

DECEMBER 28, 2020

This is part 2 of a 2-part series on how to succeed in planning and decisions amid times of disruption. In part 1 of my blog on Planning the Value Chain and Decision Making in Times of Disruption, the focus was on the ability to react and execute amidst the unpredictability of demand. Conclusion.

Supply Chain Planning Software 296

Supply Chain Planning Software Scenario Planning Modeling Prescriptive Analytics Software 296

SCMDOJO

APRIL 11, 2025

Understanding how your Procurement and Supply Chain KPIs are performing isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for survival and growth. Identify Bottlenecks & Opportunities: Quickly spot areas that are underperforming and need attention or areas where you’re excelling. Are you truly getting the best value?

Pricing Training 72

Pricing Training Negotiating Skills Purchasing Skills Optimal Sourcing 72

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 23, 2023

At the time, one of the people (let’s call him Noel) that I great respect for in the industry called me to say, “Lora, I don’t get it. In 2012, I published an article on Sales and Operations Technology (S&OP) Maturity. (I I never republished the report, because not enough has changed to warrant it.)

Supply Chain Planning Software 369

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Scenario Planning Modeling 369

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 20, 2014

During this time, I worked for Manugistics. The implementations were longer, the purchase costs were higher, and the functionality was less robust and lacking flexibility. During this period of time, I tried to highlight the gap in my writing. It makes no sense to me. In this post, I want to make my argument and stir a debate.

Supply Chain Planning Software 366

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Scenario Planning Supply and Demand 366

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 17, 2018

Nick Lynch is the Global Excellence Manager at Shell Lubricants, a division of Shell Global. It is just not enough to do a software upgrade or slowly push continuous improvement projects. Nick is a master of influence skills and building cross-functional, horizontal processes. In this post we share our take on his journey.

Demand Planning Software 322

Demand Planning Software Supply and Demand Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 322

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 28, 2024

IoT (Internet of Things) IoT ‘s real-time tracking of products as they move through the supply chain allows data gathering on attributes such as temperature, location, or condition, all of which are automatically added to the DPP. These IoT systems help businesses maintain near real-time information on their products.

Optimal Sourcing 311

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Modeling Supply Chain Optimization 311

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 16, 2022

A company buys these solutions to optimize their business. Rich Sherman – a Senior Fellow in TCS’s Supply Chain Center of Excellence – points out that many companies are building control towers to better manage their supply chains. The network a company gains visibility to with their control tower is just one of many networks.

Supply Chain Planning Software 308

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Optimization Supply Chain Planning 308

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 25, 2024

For various reasons, many drivers show up unexpectedly and at the same time. This past October, the consortium endorsed a universal standard for an API (application programming interface) that eliminates the need for multiple interfaces and allows carriers to interact with just one. Bottom line: yards are hard.

Expense Reduction 312

Expense Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Supply Chain Design Software Inventory Reduction 312

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 6, 2020

The changeover times for the CM Bartlelts was 5X more prolonged than the more agile IM machines. Equipment washouts represented 11% of the change over time and were a significant barrier to agility. I reached out to the corporate R&D team for help, but they did not have the time to work on the change. Sharing My Experience.

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

DECEMBER 23, 2014

At that time, manufacturers talked about customer-centric supply chains, but were afraid to aggressively adopt ecommerce strategies. Get Good at Having a Real-time Perpetual Inventory Signal. Foundational for ecommerce is a real-time perpetual inventory (PI) signal. Details matter. Execution is essential. 3) Test and Learn.

Packaging 332

Packaging Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Design Software San Francisco 332

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 9, 2022

The good news is that these peaks come at about the same time every year and can therefore be easily planned for. The hype usually revolves around just one item and can easily be managed by a modern logistics system. These key figures can be determined and used to help establish the right conditions to shorten lead times.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 293

Logistics Network Optimization Software Analytics Software Optimization Software Forecasting Software 293

The Logistics & Supply Chain Management Society

NOVEMBER 14, 2021

He is very passionate about developments in the Supply Chain arena and is always seeking excellence in his drive for efficiency & innovation in Supply Chain operations” – a quality that is very relevant to face up to the many Supply Chain challenges in our path! Stuart is a British national, married with three children.

Sourcing Strategies 246

Sourcing Strategies Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Design Software 246

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 7, 2018

As time goes on, these high energies dissipate. Or agreement on the definition of supply chain excellence. As a result, functional excellence anchors action. The focus is on digitization—automating today’s processes—versus rethinking process excellence based on the art of the possible. ” Incrementalism. I am tired.

Supply Chain Planning Software 287

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Optimization Software Forecasting Software 287

SCMDOJO

OCTOBER 23, 2024

Pricing Structure Affordable pricing, with annual access to purchased courses and practical resources through Pro Plan. Its sole focus on supply chain management makes it an excellent choice for anyone serious about developing specialized skills in this field. SCMDOJO doesn’t just offer video courses.

Supply Chain Planning Software 93

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Course Supply Chain Software 93

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 24, 2023

The visibility to spend allows them to provide excellent benchmarking in several areas. Coupa just released a supply chain collaboration network (SCCN) solution that runs on their BSM platform. Initially, this product will focus on the purchase order (PO) acceptance process. Here are my top take-aways from Coupa Inspire.

Supply Chain Design Software 273

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software 273