Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 10, 2025

Today, in supply chain planning, this could not be further from reality. In May 2025, one in seven home-purchase agreements fell through resulting in the cancellation of 56,000 purchase contracts. Each is attempting to slather AI on today’s offering: this fueling a hype cycle for agentic AI. The reason?

Supply Chain Planning Software 195

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Waste Reduction 195

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 7, 2023

Today, I speak at the North American Manufacturing Association, Manufacturing Leadership Conference, in Nashville on the use of data to improve supply chain resilience. Background The Council of Supply Chain Resilience met for the first time this month. Let’s start the beginning. What is supply chain resilience?

Supply Chain Design Software 395

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

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 18, 2019

In parallel, the movement to global processes and the elongation of the long tail of planning increased complexity making modeling more difficult. Dependency on Excel. Due to the shortfalls in the evolution of Advanced Planning, 68% of business users use Excel spreadsheets as the primary mechanism for planning.

S&OP 230

S&OP Supply and Demand Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 230

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 15, 2022

When reviewing strategy decks for supply chain teams, I often see statements like “move from a functional-silo’d focus to a drive a more holistic response.” ” Followed by “How are you organized, and what defines functional excellence? And, how do you tie functional excellence to corporate value?”

Manufacturing Procurement 397

Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Procurement Analytics 397

Logistics Viewpoints

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

As global supply chains continue to tackle ongoing disruptions, one major headwind that most organizations are faced with is the inflationary environment we are living through. The key to this lies with sourcing. Before diving further, let us define what sourcing is. Digitalizing sourcing (i.e.,

Optimal Sourcing 283

Optimal Sourcing Material Savings Sourcing Strategies Sourcing 283

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 26, 2023

The basic frame of supply chain planning–functional taxonomies for optimization on a relational database–must be redesigned before supply chain leaders can reap the benefit of deep learning, neural networks, and evolving forms of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Let’s start with a basic definition.

Optimal Sourcing 369

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply and Demand Manufacturing Procurement 369

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 21, 2022

”) So, I sat across from a stranger on a cold winter night, the only thing that we had in common was our experience in supply chain planning. . And won’t the supply chain follow suit?” The supply chain planning industry is fraught with big claims with little substance. The facts are clear.

Supply Chain Planning Software 376

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Optimal Sourcing Modeling 376

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 29, 2024

I find that most companies’ understanding of supply chain planning is immature, and that next week, at the Gartner Supply Chain Summit in Orlando, that many will don their Mickey ears to discuss what I consider outdated supply chain planning models. Buying supply chain planning software is hard.

Supply Chain Planning Software 417

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

SCMDOJO

JANUARY 9, 2025

Strategic sourcing and innovative solutions are often viewed as two distinct procurement tools, but they should not be seen in isolation. 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.

Optimal Sourcing 98

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Solutions Negotiating Skills 98

Supply Chain Shaman

AUGUST 14, 2016

The client leaned across the table and asked, “Is a customer-centric supply chain strategy the same as a demand-driven supply chain strategy?” Drawing from the Whiteboard: Building Customer-Centric Supply Chain Strategies. To help, I wrote a few definitions on the board: Demand-Driven Processes.

Material Savings 246

Material Savings Inventory Reduction Price Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies 246

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 27, 2022

Supply chain excellence is easier to say than to explain. Executive teams strive to drive improvement in supply chain results; yet, sadly, only four percent of public companies succeed. The supply chain is a complex non-linear system. Let’s take P&G as an example. The reason? A Case Study.

Procurement Analytics 369

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

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 9, 2023

Consumers are ever more conscious of value, sensitive to health and environmental issues – especially after the COVID pandemic, each demanding more options for their money. End-to-end supply chain visibility, planning, and execution support software are critical in agile supply chain performance.

Supply Chain Planning Software 282

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Forecasting Software Optimization Software 282

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

Great to conceptualize potential use cases, but not today’s reality. We have this today in most supply chain planning solutions. I don’t think that the answer is faster planning or better engines. The problem with supply chain planning is that it is, by definition, not repetitive work.

Supply Chain Planning Software 417

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Modeling Supply and Demand 417

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 21, 2022

Earlier in 2022, we conducted a survey of 8,000 consumers across North America and Europe to get a better sense of their ecommerce experience and how they were reacting to retailer performance. On one hand, consumers expect to increase their online purchases post-pandemic. Source: Descartes & SAPIO Research.

Optimal Sourcing 274

Optimal Sourcing Eliminating Excel in Purchasing Purchasing Skills Sourcing Strategies 274

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

Today, supply chain excellence matters more than ever. During the pandemic, the supply chain discussions take new importance. While the supply chain technology market lost its allure at the start of the last decade, it is now cool again. The supply chain career is new. The supply chain career is new.

Supply Chain Design Software 362

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

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 14, 2022

In 2022, I frequently ask companies to draw their river of demand. The activity is designed to challenge new thinking–to rethink demand as a flow, to identify rocks (barriers), and define process latency (the time to make a decision). Drawings from Two Very Different Businesses Portraying the River of Demand. Mistake #3.

S&OP 195

S&OP Supply and Demand Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement 195

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 28, 2024

These passports document all aspects of the life cycle – from the sourcing of raw materials to final disposal or recycling. For businesses, DPPs are becoming essential to comply with best practice guidance as well as coming statutory regulations that demand transparency in supply chains.

Optimal Sourcing 310

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Modeling Supply Chain Optimization 310

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021

Building Supplies. Supply chain shortages abound. Today, more than 1% of the world’s container ships are stuck off major ports. The supply chain impact is unprecedented. I volunteered to write a report on supply visibility. Projects Being Implemented as Part of a Digital Supply Chain Transformation Project.

Supply Chain Planning Software 390

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

GlobalTranz

MARCH 18, 2025

Is your business facing rapid growth, supply chain disruptions and/or unpredictable customer demand? Imagine shipping products directly from your supplier to your customer while maintaining the appearance that your business is the source. If so, optimizing your inventory management strategy can be a game-changer.

Inventory Reduction 156

Inventory Reduction Waste Reduction Resource Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies 156

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 21, 2023

Many of the case studies being presented at today’s conferences were born during the pandemic and the post-pandemic turbulence. While companies talk digital, the projects follow traditional supply-centric paths. My lessons learned from doing ten years of analysis include the following: Lack of Supply Chain Economies of Scale.

Gartner 424

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

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. Let’s face a hard fact: the supply chain planning market is a mess. Most have purchased software, but are dependent on Excel spreadsheets.

Supply Chain Planning Software 252

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

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 3, 2024

Waves of hype pass through supply chain narratives. and digital supply chains. and digital supply chains. I could write a blog about each story, but let’s save that for coffee.) (I could write a blog about each story, but let’s save that for coffee.) Thought leaders push concepts.

Supply Chain Planning Software 369

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Modeling Software Forecasting Software 369

RFgen

DECEMBER 27, 2024

Manufacturing ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software integrates all your core business processes into one powerful platform. Think of it as the central nervous system of your operation, connecting everything from production planning and inventory control to supply chain management and financial reporting.

Supply Chain Planning Software 98

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Manufacturing Procurement Inventory Management Software 98

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

Supply management. Supply chain management. Supply chain planning. I believe demand is a flow based on the combination of products/services/customers and channels, as shown in Table 1. This exceeds the 55% previously reported in the Supply Chain Insights surveys. Let’s not quibble on the percentages.

Supply Chain Planning Software 418

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Modeling Forecasting Software 418

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 12, 2022

Companies implementing supply chain planning (SCP) have traditionally been very big companies or companies with complex supply chains. Supply chain planning is not just for the big boys. In September of 2020, the company hired Jeff Baker to be their Vice President of Procurement and Integrated Supply Chain.

Supply Chain Planning Software 261

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Procurement Solutions Scenario Planning 261

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 25, 2024

Likewise, simplistic sensing of disruptions, to improve resilience is not a network. However, the reduction of cost of goods sold (COGS) did not translate to margin due to issues of discipline in managing demand-shaping programs. Companies cannot see baseline demand and only 50% of trade promotions are ever evaluated.)

Supply Chain Network Software 359

Supply Chain Network Software Manufacturing Procurement Inventory Reduction Purchasing Skills 359

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 20, 2022

“May you live in interesting times,” widely attributed as a Chinese curse, some claim this as a blessing; whichever side you take, this is exactly what’s happening in the supply chain world since 2020, and it looks like we will be living with this blessing/curse for a while longer. Emerging Themes for Supply Chain Planning.

Supply Chain Planning Software 286

Supply Chain Planning Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Planning Forecasting Software 286

Kinaxis

SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

by Dr. Madhav Durbha The 2017 Gartner supply chain executive conference took place at the O2-Intercontinental Hotel in London on September 20 th and 21 st. The theme of the conference was ACT (Aspire, Challenge, Transform), same as the Gartner supply chain summit in Phoenix during May of this year. Collaborative. Fully flexible.

Gartner 118

Gartner Pharmaceutical Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Execution 118

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. Efficient supply chains may not be the most effective. I am currently writing the Supply Chains to Admire report for 2020.

Agile and Lean Supply Chain 362

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

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. Image source: National Retail Association. Image source: Twitter. Image source: Ikea.

Customer Service 295

Customer Service Examples Price Reduction Sourcing Strategies 295

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. Why You Need Visibility of Supply Chain and Procurement KPIs? Running procurement and supply chain without metrics is like driving blindfolded.

Pricing Training 72

Pricing Training Negotiating Skills Optimal Sourcing Purchasing Skills 72

Supply Chain Shaman

AUGUST 12, 2024

This morning, the New York Times pushed me an article by Peter S. Goodman titled “ The Supply Chain, Reconfigured.” ” His narrative centers on the evolution of the global supply chain evolving with a focus on labor arbitration ignoring geographic distance and shipping issues. So, my reply to Peter S.

Waste Reduction 195

Waste Reduction Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Sourcing Strategies 195

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 2, 2021

Many major challenges of 2021—capacity constraints, ecommerce growth and driver shortage—are rolling over into 2022 and, in addition, the environment and machine learning are becoming more important for logistics and supply chain professionals. Global supply chains will be busy, congested and chaotic. 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

OCTOBER 8, 2017

Today hurricane Nate’s north winds are pushing against the bayous of Louisiana. In offices across the United Sates, demand planners are scratching their heads. Shifting demand and rising prices for cotton and orange juice. Higher spikes for lumber and building supplies. They do not sense. They do not have it.

Supply and Demand 199

Supply and Demand Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Software 199

SCMDOJO

MARCH 24, 2025

Introduction Gardner, (1954) and Huntzinger, (2007) define Purchase price variance (PPV) as a metric used to measure the effectiveness of cost-saving efforts by calculating the difference between the planned cost (standard pricing) allocated for purchasing activities and the actual cost incurred.

Purchasing Skills 69

Purchasing Skills Negotiating Skills Negotiate Pricing Procurement Analytics 69

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. As companies across industries have discovered, a well-optimized supply chain can drive significant improvements throughout their operations.

Sourcing Strategies 96

Sourcing Strategies Waste Reduction Inventory Reduction Expense Reduction 96

SCMDOJO

DECEMBER 29, 2024

In the vast sea of supply chain information, which SCMDOJO supply chain article truly stands out? Dive into our curated list of the top 12 blogs from 2024 that will elevate your supply chain knowledge and give you a competitive edge. Read In Detail About Procurement Department Here 2.

Negotiating Skills 95

Negotiating Skills Purchasing Skills Purchasing Training Buyer Training 95