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 my post Mea Culpa, I reference my work with the Gartner Supply Chain Hierarchy of Metrics. Error is error, but is it the most important metric? My answer is no.

Procurement Analytics 393

Procurement Analytics Metrics Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software 393

ivalua

MAY 29, 2025

Procurement and supply chain management are often used interchangeably—but in practice, the lines between them can blur in ways that create real friction. Misaligned priorities, siloed systems, and unclear ownership can directly impact key performance indicators like cost savings percentage and procurement cycle time.

Procurement Solutions 130

Procurement Solutions Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software 130

ivalua

MAY 21, 2025

Enterprise procurement teams face growing pressure to deliver strategic value – managing supplier risk, ensuring compliance, and supporting sustainability – all without sacrificing speed or control. This blog explores the most common challenges in digital procurement and the capabilities that matter most.

Optimal Sourcing 130

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Analytics Software 130

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 3, 2025

Optimizing fulfillment requires a series of steps to get a shipment from its source to the end customer. These steps include sourcing and receiving inventory, storing inventory, order processing, picking and packing an order, shipping the order, and returns management. The ability to meet fulfillment goals is impeded by several issues.

Optimal Sourcing 227

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Price Mitigation Strategies Sourcing Strategies 227

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 271

Forecasting Forecasting Software Modeling Optimal Sourcing 271

ivalua

MAY 10, 2025

Enterprise procurement leaders are under more pressure than ever—juggling cost control, compliance, supplier risk, and internal complexity, all while trying to modernize outdated systems. AI, automation, and generative tools are redefining efficiency, allowing procurement teams to move from reactive to proactive decision-making.

Procurement Solutions 130

Procurement Solutions Sourcing Strategies Optimal Sourcing Analytics Software 130

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Proactively adopting cleaner energy sources ensures alignment with these evolving regulations. The industry’s dependency on traditional energy sources necessitates an urgent shift toward cleaner alternatives. Transparent sourcing practices build trust among consumers and investors.

Supply Chain Design Software 266

Supply Chain Design Software Optimal Sourcing Material Savings Supply Chain Planning Software 266

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 10, 2025

In May 2025, one in seven home-purchase agreements fell through resulting in the cancellation of 56,000 purchase contracts. Supply chain was defined in 1982 as interoperability between source, make and deliver. Most companies forecast a single stream with a focus on error. The ripple effects are pervasive.

Supply Chain Planning Software 195

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

Precoro

DECEMBER 24, 2024

Traditionally, procurement has been a process weighed down by manual tasks, fragmented systems, and endless paperwork. Today, procurement is undergoing a transformation. While procurement teams have long worked to add strategic value, Artificial Intelligence (AI) amplifies their impact.

Price Reduction 105

Price Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Sourcing Strategies Expense Reduction 105

ivalua

JUNE 12, 2025

If you’re evaluating procurement technology or exploring ways to drive more value from existing systems, chances are you’re looking beyond tactical fixes – you want a smarter, scalable strategy. Misaligned priorities across finance, legal, and procurement create friction that delays decision-making and reduces impact.

Cost Reduction Strategies 130

Cost Reduction Strategies Material Savings Expense Reduction Negotiating Skills 130

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. From natural disasters to geopolitical tensions and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, supply chains have been significantly impacted.

Manufacturing Procurement 270

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Material Savings Inventory Reduction 270

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 1, 2021

In a previous post , I made a case for how the Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO) and Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) are smarter together. Accordingly Supply Chain and Procurement will need continuous collaboration. Such sourcing events can be in the context of direct materials or logistics capacity.

Optimal Sourcing 285

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions 285

Precoro

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

For most CPOs and CFOs, deciding on the right purchasing setup — centralized or decentralized — is no small task. Each model has its perks, and choosing the best fit can feel like walking a tightrope. Keep reading to learn: What is centralized purchasing? What is centralized purchasing?

Pricing Training 105

Pricing Training Expense Reduction Price Reduction Purchasing Training 105

Logility

APRIL 21, 2020

The ability to effectively forecast demand is essential for supply chain management decisions. In fact, demand forecasts are used throughout the supply chain including supply chain design, purchasing, operations, inventory, and sales and marketing. procurement, operations, inventory, sales and marketing).

Forecasting 158

Forecasting Optimal Sourcing Forecasting Software Modeling 158

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

Logility

FEBRUARY 26, 2020

Over my 25+ year supply chain career I have worked for several distribution-intensive companies and every single one of them had a focus on improving forecast accuracy. Achieving a high SKU level forecast accuracy is a top goal for supply chain planning teams regardless of industry, size, location, etc.

Forecasting 162

Forecasting Forecasting Software Optimal Sourcing Supply and Demand 162

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.” I know that your primary focus is procurement. Or planned orders to purchase orders?) I encourage all to backcast to test and improve their models.

Supply and Demand 431

Supply and Demand Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Demand Planning 431

Silvon Software

MAY 6, 2025

Analytics and business intelligence (BI) are no longer optionaltheyre essential. They need visibility across multiple internal systemslike ERP, CRM, and financial platformsand even external sources shared with suppliers, partners, and customers. Think of it as the central nervous system of your analytics ecosystem.

Prescriptive Analytics Software 89

Prescriptive Analytics Software Analytics Software Supply Chain Planning Software Predictive Analytics Software 89

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

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

I forecast that this interest will grow and the market is going to become more confusing. The discipline, first defined in 1982, includes source, make, deliver, and planning functions. One of my favorite supply chain leaders has a stack of Palantir reports in black binders on his desk. Kinaxis Purchase of Rubikloud.

Supply Chain Design Software 362

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

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 7, 2023

Expand the “FLOW” program for logistics information sharing to forecast transportation flow. Source: Supply Chain Insights ASCM defines resilience in the SCM Supply Chain Dictionary as the ability of a supply chain to anticipate, create plans to avoid or mitigate, and to recover from disruptions to supply chain functionality.

Supply Chain Design Software 395

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

Logility

APRIL 23, 2020

So, the promise of using statistical algorithms, forecasting and predictive analytics is now added to the list of a company’s number one priorities. Here are a few steps that you will need to take to deploy your forecasts successfully. These types of models are doomed to fail. Model building.

Forecasting 148

Forecasting Forecasting Software How To Procurement Analytics 148

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 13, 2024

This technology allows businesses to unify their procurement, expense management, invoicing, payments, sourcing, contract management, and spend analysis processes and reporting. This solution provides for purchase order collaboration. The idea of community was there from the beginning.” What an opportunity!”

Procurement Solutions 293

Procurement Solutions Forecasting Software Modeling Software Procurement Analytics 293

Supply Chain Matters

APRIL 17, 2025

The Ferrari Consulting and Research Group via its Supply Chain Matters blog revisits assumptions included in 2025 predictions and how they are changing with ongoing developments. and China, are now compelling forecasters to make adjustments, mostly to the downside. The latest April UNCAD forecast reflects the downside risk.

Forecasting 52

Forecasting Forecasting Software Global Modeling 52

SCMDOJO

MAY 23, 2025

By embedding analytics across logistics, sourcing, and fulfillment, businesses gain the visibility and foresight needed to stay competitive.Analytics-driven leadership is no longer a luxury; it’s the foundation of operational survival in todays volatile business environment.

Prescriptive Analytics Software 59

Prescriptive Analytics Software Procurement Analytics Analytics Software Supply Chain Planning Software 59

Jaggaer

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

What Is Strategic Sourcing? A Complete Guide Strategic sourcing is a data-driven approach to securing the best value for your organization from its strategic suppliers. It is called strategic because it replaces traditional ad hoc approaches to sourcing, which were almost entirely focused on cost savings, item by item.

Negotiating Skills 52

Negotiating Skills Sourcing Strategies Purchasing Skills Optimal Sourcing 52

Precoro

JUNE 2, 2025

Definition: Financial forecasting is a projection of the company's future financial performance based on historical data, market research, and business needs. The forecasts act as a guide, which you can use to make strategic decisions on resource allocation and define clear, attainable goals.

Forecasting 45

Forecasting Forecasting Software Expense Reduction Procurement Solutions 45

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 14, 2022

Experts from North Carolina State University and GEP conducted a survey on supply chain, procurement and IT leaders to determine their challenges and priorities, focusing on examining gaps in the supply chain. The study found that these leaders considered the largest gap to be between supply chain and procurement, citing it as a major issue.

Supply Chain Planning Software 284

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Forecasting Software Procurement Solutions 284

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 4, 2021

Digital commerce efficiently requires the digitalization of many customer-facing operations and sourcing and procurement. Supply chain planning involves interaction with different types of information based on internal and external data sources. This includes internal and external data sources.

Supply Chain Planning Software 284

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Scenario Planning Modeling 284

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. Is inventory bloating your costs? 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 Optimal Sourcing Purchasing Skills Negotiating Skills 72

ToolsGroup

JULY 10, 2018

If you’ve been in supply chain for any length time, you might be wondering what caused demand forecasting to develop so many different ‘personalities’ over the years. Demand forecasting, planning, sensing, shaping…what’s going on? More and better data has turned demand analytics into mainstream reality. Demand Forecasting.

Supply and Demand 192

Supply and Demand Demand Planning Software Forecasting Forecasting Software 192

Jaggaer

MARCH 24, 2025

Top 3 Procurement Technologies to Embrace in 2025 Staying ahead of key procurement technology and advancements is essential for CPOs who want to improve spend cost reduction, drive strategic value, and navigate the increasingly complex procurement landscape.

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions Price Reduction 52

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 20, 2022

This means we need more agile, flexible, and scalable planning platforms to process and consolidate new data sources, drive insights using advanced analytics such as AI/ML to drive autonomous decisions, and expand collaboration within and outside our organizations. We need planning platforms to keep up with all the changes.

Supply Chain Planning Software 287

Supply Chain Planning Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Planning Forecasting Software 287

Kinaxis

MAY 16, 2025

Since January, Canadians’ weekly grocery trips have become a real-time indicator for the potential impacts of tariffs as shoppers have responded to threats with a showcase of buying power, prioritizing nationally sourced and manufactured products even before a single tariff was enacted. goods were “ rapidly dropping.”

Beverage 144

Beverage Price Reduction Canada Cost Reduction Strategies 144

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 9, 2023

This is because most classical planning solutions lack the modeling capability and computing power to accommodate different data sources, large SKU count, and detailed constraints and contingencies to build an immediately executable plan. each with discrete plans generated typically in sequential batch runs.

Supply Chain Planning Software 283

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Forecasting Software Optimization Software 283

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 1, 2023

That’s why staying on top of the latest supply chain planning trends is so important – they can make all the difference when it comes to staying competitive, reducing costs, and meeting your customers’ needs. They are more likely to shop for discounts and sales and may delay purchases of some items.

Supply Chain Planning Software 272

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Software 272

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 5, 2021

PwC reports that almost half of assets under management are held by investment firms committed to decarbonization. Similarly, UPS has strong commitments to sustainability and invests in many options, such as alternative fuel vehicles, e-cycles in dense cities, and carbon offsets for purchase with shipping. Buffering creates waste.

Supply Chain Planning Software 322

Supply Chain Planning Software Sustainability Material Savings Supply Chain Planning 322