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. In the automotive sector, manufacturers are simultaneously reducing inventory costs and delivery times.

Sourcing Strategies 96

Sourcing Strategies Inventory Reduction Waste Reduction Expense Reduction 96

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 29, 2023

It is crucial for organizations to understand the importance of Purchase Order collaboration to effectively manage their direct spend, optimize operations, and mitigate risks. Make to Order: Here, products are manufactured based on specific customer orders.

Manufacturing Procurement 273

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Material Savings Inventory Reduction 273

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 31, 2022

If there’s a bright spot anywhere it’s the fact that, as logistics challenges have grown, so has the availability of advanced technologies to manage these challenges. For logistics teams, digital control towers add maximum value when they’re integrated with the transportation management system (TMS). Warehouse Task Automation.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 297

Logistics Network Optimization Software Supply Chain Planning Software Predictive Analytics Software Supply Chain Network Software 297

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. End-to-end supply chain visibility, planning, and execution support software are critical in agile supply chain performance.

Supply Chain Planning Software 288

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Forecasting Software Optimization Software 288

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 28, 2020

By combining leadership and technology, I believed that we had the opportunity to create a better supply chain. The gap is the result of the stewpot of corporate politics, misguided consultants, and over-hyped technologies. The first story is about a large regional food manufacturer. My focus was simple. I was wrong. The reason?

Supply Chain Planning Software 418

Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Forecasting Software Modeling 418

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 20, 2022

As a result, a wide range of businesses, from restaurants, and retail chains, to manufacturers, have been redesigning their business services and operations and re-engineering their supply chains. We need planning platforms to keep up with all the changes. This is how composable systems work.

Supply Chain Planning Software 291

Supply Chain Planning Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Planning Forecasting Software 291

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 27, 2023

When it comes to running a company, when things break down executives have traditionally said “we need to improve our forecasting!” Would better forecasting accuracy be a good thing? Unfortunately, most companies cannot, and will never be able to, consistently rely on highly accurate forecasts. Absolutely!

Forecasting 275

Forecasting Forecasting Software Modeling Optimal Sourcing 275

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 3, 2013

At a time that marketplace offerings were super-hyped, I forecasted the doom of ten e-marketplace providers. It was funded by 50 large consumer products manufacturing companies (CPG). In the dawn of e-commerce, conservative manufacturers, anteed up $240 million in four months. At the time, I was a junior Gartner analyst.

Supply Chain Design Software 321

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement 321

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

The systems–based on shipment and order data–were out of step with the market. With fixed models and hard-wired data feeds, teams could not adjust the planning systems to use consumption data or market indicators. Advanced planning evolved with a focus on modeling manufacturing constraints. The reason?

Supply Chain Planning Software 355

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

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

There are three reasons why: Vertical excellence—having the best manufacturing, procurement or transportation function—has not worked. A big bang technology focus has not worked. Enlightened leadership that focuses on the management of the supply chain as a complex system. Aligned Metrics. Outside-in Processes.

Optimal Sourcing 365

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Manufacturing Procurement 365

Supply Chain Shaman

MARCH 21, 2024

During the 1980s, I was on a management team for a large manufacturer. The Company was attempting to gain economies of scale by grouping manufacturing technologies within a common infrastructure to reap the benefits of a co-generation facility, a centralized warehouse, and a talented administrative team.

Inventory Reduction 434

Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Planning Software Cost Reduction Strategies Supply Chain Design Software 434

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 18, 2022

The company sources goods from 34,000 suppliers out of 30 nations. Driving an excellent supply chain depends on how people are recruited and managed, processes, and the technology used. The company has shown sustained improvement on this metric. The company uses a network design tool from Coupa. The company recorded 1.9

Supply Chain Design Software 305

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Network Design Software 305

RFgen

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

It’s the key to transforming your supply chain from a source of frustration into a well-oiled, profit-generating machine. Connected technology transforms traditional supply chains into dynamic systems capable of real-time decisions and proactive problem-solving. That’s where data analytics comes in.

Optimal Sourcing 98

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Optimization Modeling Inventory Reduction 98

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 22, 2021

While the terminology evolved, the underlying thesis of S&OP has stayed the same, i.e., bridge the divide between sales forecasts and operational plans while respecting the budget. More recently the technology has evolved to a point where such processes can be conducted at a faster cadence than a typical monthly cadence that was the norm.

S&OP 290

S&OP Supply and Demand Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Design Software 290

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 15, 2021

Self-reported projections of the ocean carriers forecast that the industry is posting over $200B in profits. Especially grievous are the gaps between finance and operations, manufacturing and procurement, and the operations and commercial teams. Today, we are nearing the end of the fourth quarter of corporate reporting.

Supply Chain Design Software 355

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Sourcing Strategies Supply and Demand 355

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 1, 2023

Continuing Disruptions in Transportation and Sourcing Materials After the pandemic, retailers are faced with new challenges and disruptions due to global conflicts, trade restrictions, and now recessions. They are more likely to shop for discounts and sales and may delay purchases of some items.

Supply Chain Planning Software 276

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Software 276

RFgen

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

It’s like having a magic wand that optimizes inventory levels, prevents shortages, and sharpens your demand forecasting—all from your smartphone. Mobile inventory management is a digital solution that combines a mobile inventory app with cloud-based software to track, manage, and optimize inventory in real-time.

Inventory Management Software 96

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

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

Management practices such as lean manufacturing and just-in-time inventory management, along with globalization, have made tremendous impact on cost and service, but have accentuated risk. Metrics such as lead-times, forecast accuracy, inventory levels, and service are used to measure operational risks.

Supply Chain Design Software 299

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software 299

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 5, 2013

It was badly implemented by a system integrator. The cost was 60% more in than average; but even more unfortunate, they never got a good understanding of how to use the planning system. Clear understanding that the focus needs to be on the probability of the forecast, and that the focus needs to be outside-in based on channel data.

Supply Chain Planning Software 255

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Supply and Demand Supply Chain Design Software 255

Logility

JULY 20, 2023

Good forecasting leads to good demand planning —and good demand planning means better profitability. That’s why it’s essential to be sure you’re equipping your organization with the right demand planning software. Here are our answers to some of the most common questions about demand planning software.

Supply and Demand 188

Supply and Demand Supply Chain Planning Software Demand Planning Software Forecasting Software 188

Jaggaer

APRIL 24, 2025

Supply chain management typically does not fit very well with procurement, which is a challenge at the best of times, and can be a disaster in difficult times. The second assumption was that variability would be low, and IT systems have been implemented in the belief that the global economy would remain on an even keel.

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Demand Planning Software 52

Silvon Software

JUNE 23, 2020

As I mentioned in my previous post, Sales Dashboards – 16 Metrics for Manufacturers , a strategy for measuring business performance should also incorporate metrics that focus on the supply chain and other operational areas of the enterprise. Sales to Forecast and Sales to Outlook. You can refine as you go!

Manufacturing Procurement 111

Manufacturing Procurement Metrics Gartner Supply Chain Planning Software 111

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 56

Purchasing Skills Negotiating Skills Negotiate Pricing Procurement Analytics 56

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 23, 2014

At that time, manufacturers talked about customer-centric supply chains, but were afraid to aggressively adopt ecommerce strategies. Manufacturers, today, are aggressively pursuing e-commerce strategies. In the last decade, ecommerce was a permissible and desirable channel only for retailers. They were afraid of retail retaliation.

Packaging 332

Packaging Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Design Software San Francisco 332

Supply Chain Shaman

AUGUST 12, 2024

However, my worldview is that the larger shifts are far more systemic requiring a call for action that is going largely unheard. I would like for us to move past the conventional view of sourcing strategies and globalization to drive improvements to the supply chain in a variable world. Forecastability. Let me explain.

Waste Reduction 195

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

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 29, 2014

The second step is usually a large implementation of a technology project–Enterprise Resource Planning, Customer Relationship Planning or Analytics. The first evolution of technologies were built by best-of-breed solution vendors. This new solution was favored by the Information Technology (IT) organization.

Supply Chain Planning Software 379

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Demand Planning Software Optimization Software 379

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 8, 2022

Transportation execution solutions allow shippers to connect to multiple carriers and then tender, track, and pay in the system. Headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Descartes is a global leader in providing on-demand, SaaS solutions focused on improving the productivity, performance, and security of logistics-intensive businesses.

Rail Software 282

Rail Software Real-time Visibility Supply Chain Network Software Supply Chain Planning Software 282

ToolsGroup

SEPTEMBER 20, 2022

Automation is at the center of modern manufacturing businesses, with companies exploring the possibilities of artificial intelligence in improving workflows and profitability. Industrial engineers incorporate these technologies in designing and fabricating advanced manufacturing systems. Breaking Down the Definitions.

Manufacturing Procurement 156

Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing 156

QAD

JULY 1, 2021

What are Total Manufacturing Costs? Your total manufacturing costs are essentially an expense analysis that calculates how each of your company’s departments contributed to producing a finalized product. This looks at all stages of the manufacturing process from raw materials to work-in-progress to final result.

Manufacturing Procurement 98

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Cost Reduction Strategies Purchasing Skills 98

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 17, 2013

Source Merriam-Webster Dictionary. The article is written and the story is spun, but the solution offered is a supply-centric solution based on yesterday’s technology. User satisfaction with planning systems is low. Their current technologies are inadequate. The acronyms keep coming…. The cadence does not stop.

Supply Chain Design Software 258

Supply Chain Design Software Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Supply and Demand 258

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 19, 2022

Operational innovations like the invention of containers led to the huge growth in global value chains, and today 95% of manufactured goods move on ships. Work planners previously did manually can be calculated by software. But advances in this area have two limitations – the software itself and our ever-changing world.

Optimal Sourcing 306

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply Chain Optimization Optimization Software 306

Jaggaer

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

The Power of Source-to-Pay Digital Transformation To put it briefly, source-to-pay refers to the entire process that starts with finding, negotiating with, and contracting the suppliers of materials, goods and services, and culminates in the final payment for those items. Who Should Prioritize an S2P Digital Transformation?

Sourcing Strategies 52

Sourcing Strategies Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Negotiating Skills 52

ToolsGroup

AUGUST 20, 2019

They say usage of SCP BPO increased about 25% this year, driven by challenges with end users’ talent retention, technology constraints, and inefficient planning processes. Gartner says that the most common outsourced SCP processes are inventory management, statistical forecasting and service parts planning. versus $4.84

Supply Chain Planning Software 214

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

Jaggaer

MAY 8, 2025

I am a big believer in procurement getting involved as early as possible in new product development based on all the market knowledge available. The worst-case scenario is product engineering developing a new product, selecting a supplier and then telling procurement to get on with negotiation. Do you give suppliers accurate forecasts?

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions 52

ivalua

NOVEMBER 29, 2022

In recent years, the overall state of Procurement has been bolstered by increased proficiency, expanding engagement, and a growing direct impact on operations. And they’re not the only ones—other department heads are also increasingly budget-conscious, creating a new opportunity to partner with procurement for better budget management.

Procurement Analytics 130

Procurement Analytics Metrics Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing 130

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 4, 2022

They source from approximately 15,000 suppliers with a sourcing spend of over €7 billion. It started in manufacturing and spread, step by step, to improvements in the way the company runs its supply chain. This manufacturer already has business continuity plans in place. But even multi-sourcing is not enough.

Supply Chain Transformation 263

Supply Chain Transformation Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Scenario Planning 263

DELMIA Quintiq

DECEMBER 14, 2021

According to the UN Environment Program’s Food Waste Index, 923 million metric tons of food is wasted globally every year. Source: [link]. There already are options such as food sharing and food saving platforms to help reduce the problem of food waste on the consumers’ end. Pete Pearson Director of Food Waste, WWF.

Waste Reduction 296

Waste Reduction Food Optimal Sourcing Material Savings 296