Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Supply shortages resulting in empty shelves or parking lots of WIP inventory represent a spectre causing supply chain leaders to reconsider supply chain inventory practices. Opinion of just-in-time (JIT) as a practice has taken a battering and inventory is rising. Is supply chain inventory the problem?

Inventory Reduction 329

Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning 329

RFgen

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

Picture this: You’re a warehouse manager, and with a few taps on your smartphone, you instantly know the exact location and quantity of every item in your inventory. That’s not science fiction—it’s the power of mobile inventory management. Ready to turn your inventory from a headache into a strategic asset?

Inventory Management Software 96

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

DELMIA Quintiq

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

An increasing lineup of advanced digital solutions have given manufacturers the edge to transform and achieve better inventory control. The manufacturing industry is constantly searching for new and inventive ways to improve inventory management. Types of inventory that can be optimized.

Inventory Management Software 294

Inventory Management Software Inventory Reduction Inventory Management Optimal Sourcing 294

The Logistics of Logistics

JUNE 14, 2024

trillion distortion inventory problem. Trillion Inventory Distortion Problem In this podcast, Karl Swensen, CEO and Co-founder of Pull Logic, discusses how their AI-enabled technology helps retailers, brands, and manufacturers reduce lost sales by addressing supply chain and selling process failure points. Summary: Solving the $1.8

Inventory Reduction 264

Inventory Reduction Inventory Inventory Management Software Modeling 264

Logistics Viewpoints

JANUARY 21, 2025

Colin Masson, ARC Advisory Groups expert on Industrial AI. Lets delve into the core concepts of AI Agents and multi-agent workflows, their relevance to what ARC Advisory Group calls Industrial AI , and their potential to revolutionize supply chain management.

Supply Chain Planning Software 293

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Modeling Software 293

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

Yawn and walk on if the answer is i mproving demand error or reducing inventory levels. At this session, we will launch the “supply chain fundamental score” (a simple measurement to determine value generated by the supply chain as compared to the peer group). How do you know you have a better outcome or decision?”

Supply Chain Planning Software 396

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Software Modeling Supply Chain Network Software 396

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 24, 2024

When we compare the companies listed on the Gartner Top 25 to peer group results for the period of 2013-2023, we find that 59% of the listed companies score below their peer group on year-over-year growth, 41% below their peer group on inventory turns, and 41% fall below their peer group on Return on Invested Capital (ROIC).

Gartner 422

Gartner Comparison Taiwan Groups 422

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 3, 2025

These steps include sourcing and receiving inventory, storing inventory, order processing, picking and packing an order, shipping the order, and returns management. Factors like planning tools, inventory management, demand patterns, and innovations in technology contribute to the success or failure of fulfillment optimization.

Optimal Sourcing 227

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Price Mitigation Strategies Sourcing Strategies 227

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 24, 2025

The Losers Are the Global Multi-National Supply Chain Teams As I work on the Supply Chains to Admire report, that will publish soon, I wince at the performance of large strategic customers of the supply chain planning vendors when compared to their peer groups. The methodology is now 20 years old. So, What Do You Do About It?

Gartner 195

Gartner Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Scenario Planning 195

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 25, 2024

By charting the performance against peer groups, I could see the story. The first step was to find a reliable data set and establish the peer groups. The second step of establishing peer groups was trickier. It took us four years to establish what we believe are representative peer groups based on the performance patterns.

Eliminating Excel in Purchasing 384

Eliminating Excel in Purchasing Gartner Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Strategy 384

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 9, 2022

While consumers may see some short-term benefit in the form of discounted goods, many retailers have had to reset investor expectations , reflecting the expected hit on margins from carrying so much inventory. Inventory management is challenging enough in normal times. So, what is it going to take to enable better inventory management?

Inventory Management Software 261

Inventory Management Software Inventory Management Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Planning Software 261

Logility

JUNE 5, 2024

This urges a shift from the unsustainable practice of buffering against uncertainty with high inventory levels. Enter Inventory Optimization (IO) as a vital strategy to combat supply chain stress. Yet, recent research suggests a more advanced approach, Multi-Echelon Inventory Optimization (MEIO), surpasses traditional methods.

Optimal Sourcing 188

Optimal Sourcing Inventory Reduction Inventory Management Software Modeling 188

Logistics Viewpoints

OCTOBER 17, 2024

An example of this is Vendor Management Inventory and Capacity Collaboration for contract manufacturing. This can help identify potential disruptions early and improve decision-making capabilities, particularly in Purchase Order, Forecast, Inventory and Quality related processes.

Manufacturing Procurement 292

Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Material Savings Supply Chain Design Software 292

Logistics Viewpoints

OCTOBER 18, 2024

Now let’s get to the Supply Chain News: Descartes Acquires Sellercloud Descartes Systems Group, a standout provider in logistics solutions, announced its acquisition of Sellercloud, a US-based provider of omnichannel e-commerce solutions.

Price Reduction 291

Price Reduction Inventory Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Supply Chain Planning Software 291

Logistics Viewpoints

OCTOBER 15, 2024

Technology Integration : Use of technology in logistics, inventory management, and supply chain tracking has helped improve efficiency and transparency. The group turnover for Amul in 2023-24 is Rs 80,000 crores ($10 billion), which is an increase from Rs 72,000 crores ($9 billion) in 2022-23.

Optimal Sourcing 284

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply Chain Optimization Supply Chain Planning Software 284

Logistics Viewpoints

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

Corporate Knights also ranked the company the most sustainable company in its peer group and the 7 th most sustainable company overall. Interestingly, the inventory analysis often shows that for slow-moving products, centralizing those SKUs in a central storage location increases reliability despite the increase in lead times.

Supply Chain Design Software 301

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Planning Software 301

Supply Chain Shaman

MARCH 21, 2024

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. In my forty years of studying supply chain planning, the groups became larger, but with questionable results.

Inventory Reduction 434

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

Logistics Viewpoints

OCTOBER 24, 2024

The Warner Music Group was an early adopter. They also cover supplier managed inventory, quality collaboration, manufacturing line collaboration, and asset collaboration. While SAP has had procurement analytics solutions, last year at Spend Connect Live, SAP announced the Spend Control Tower.

SAP 292

SAP Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics 292

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 9, 2024

They are unconscious that they are underperforming their peer group and have not driven industry improvement. An average margin of 21% with inventory turns of 1.58 Sanofi Performance Versus Peer Group for 2013-2022 Similarly, I find 35% of companies following the pack not able to drive resilience in the face of market shifts.

Supply Chain Planning Software 386

Supply Chain Planning Software Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Planning Gartner 386

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 10, 2025

First, overreliance on a narrow group of suppliersespecially those in politically sensitive regionsexposes companies to risk when trade relationships shift. Companies that treat landed cost as a fixed figure are increasingly at risk of mispricing, misallocating inventory, or miscalculating profitability.

Optimal Sourcing 218

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply Chain Optimization Cost Reduction Strategies 218

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 30, 2024

A recent supply chain planning market analysis released by the ARC Advisory Group suggests EY has picked up on a trend. They also cover supplier-managed inventory, quality collaboration, manufacturing line collaboration, and asset collaboration. EY and ARCs research suggests that at many companies, that opportunity is receding.

Supply Chain Planning Software 301

Supply Chain Planning Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Planning Scenario Planning 301

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

Despite the evolution of technology, none of the 28 industry segments I follow can drive improvement at the intersection of operating margin and inventory turns. I define supply chain excellence as the ability to outperform an industry peer group during a time period. Change is Hard. Unlearning is Tougher. Guess what?

Supply Chain Design Software 221

Supply Chain Design Software Price Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Supply Chain Planning Software 221

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 14, 2025

Demand Forecasting: Algorithms improve procurement planning by integrating live inputs like point-of-sale data, promotions, inventory levels, seasonality, and even weather data. Exception Management: AI tools flag delayed, misrouted, or damaged shipments and recommend responses such as automatic rescheduling or inventory reallocations.

Optimal Sourcing 236

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 236

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 28, 2020

Only four percent of companies compared to their peer groups improved balance sheet performance of growth, operating margin, and inventory turns. When compared to pre-recession years, we ended the decade with twenty more days of inventory. Days of Inventory Comparison. Both companies outperformed their peer groups.

Supply Chain Planning Software 418

Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Forecasting Software Modeling 418

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 30, 2023

As a result, demand planning is largely manual, inventory management is a series of manual inputs, and production planning is via spreadsheet. Anne is a lean disciple and sees all inventory as Muda. She lacks the appreciation for the need for inventory as a buffer. I advised John to ask for help to improve inventory health.

Supply Chain Planning Software 387

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Eliminating Excel in Purchasing 387

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 2, 2024

Many discussions focus on driving improvement through planning, yet, when I take the client case studies on the websites of leading planning technologies and map the intersection of operating margin and inventory turns, I do not see metric improvement, sustained performance, or an increase in value. As I write, I scratch my head.

Gartner 368

Gartner Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Case Study 368

ToolsGroup

OCTOBER 29, 2024

ToolsGroup’s AI-powered supply chain software is helping manufacturers navigate this new landscape: Probabilistic Demand Forecasting : Accurately predicts demand for reused and recycled parts, minimizing excess inventory.

Automotive 156

Automotive Waste Reduction Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software 156

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 27, 2025

Smart slotting drives better inventory placement for better performance One of the most impactful uses of machine learning in a warehouse is intelligent slotting. Traditionally, slotting might be based on basic logic, placing fast movers near the front, grouping similar items together, or simply replicating past practices.

Optimization Software 262

Optimization Software Modeling Software Supply Chain Planning Software Predictive Analytics Software 262

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 21, 2023

My client attempted to have a supply chain discussion to improve flow, and his executive group just did not get it. In the early 1980s, As a result, we did not have a perpetual inventory signal. Without a perpetual inventory signal, we were never synchronized on where to place customer orders. His view was very transactional.

Supply Chain Planning Software 406

Supply Chain Planning Software Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Design Software Cost Reduction Strategies 406

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 2, 2025

For my long-time readers, you know that fewer than 3% of companies outperform their peer group in our Supply Chains to Admire analysis , and that the Gartner Top 25 is essentially a beauty contest for underperformers. The third step is to do a data inventory. The focus is on unveiling a new, bright, and shiny object. And what is value?

Optimal Sourcing 195

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Supply Chain Design Software 195

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 7, 2023

I am currently doing research on inventory management. In the research, I ask inventory planners to define resilience. Of the twenty companies interviewed, only one can answer the question, “Do you have a good inventory plan?” No technology in the market measures inventory health. Today, this is not the case.

Supply Chain Design Software 395

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

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

If S&OP efforts were that effective, don’t you think that we would have made more progress against inventory levels, margin, and growth? In part, this results in increasing swings in inventory in response to shifts in consumer demand as one moves further up the supply chain. Which brings me back to Anna. She is a disbeliever.

Supply and Demand 431

Supply and Demand Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Demand Planning 431

ToolsGroup

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

This shift has led to a growing need for agile inventory management and quick delivery systems. The Challenges of Inventory Management in the Aftermarket Managing inventory in the aftermarket is uniquely challenging.

Manufacturing Procurement 156

Manufacturing Procurement Optimization Software ToolsGroup Supply Chain Planning Software 156

Logistics Viewpoints

JANUARY 18, 2024

This ensures the secure, high-capacity, and bi-directional transfer of essential information such as master data on products, customers, production-distribution infrastructure, transactional data on sales, inventory status and position, transportation execution data, external data e.g. competitor pricing, weather, recommendations, action triggers.

Supply Chain Software 325

Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Network Design Software 325

Supply Chain Matters

MARCH 14, 2025

Supply Chain Matters highlights indications providing added evidence that manufacturers and retailers are front loading inventory management actions in attempts to initially hedge against added U.S. We cited indications of the post Lunar New Year ramp-up of global production levels to replenish inventories, more so than in prior years.

Inventory Reduction 52

Inventory Reduction Inventory Report Price Reduction 52

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

Predictive analytics tools enabled by AI are helping organizations optimize inventory management, reduce downtime, and improve demand forecasting. Robert Reavis has advised a diverse group of middle market companies on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and strategic advisory assignments.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 198

Logistics Network Optimization Software Cost Reduction Strategies Price Reduction Inventory Reduction 198

Freightos

JUNE 10, 2025

These comparisons suggest that strong frontloading through April that built up inventories , and possibly some shippers decreasing shipments or pausing orders while tariffs are still at the significant minimum of 30% for China, may make this year’s tariff-deadline driven early peak season weaker than some had anticipated.

Negotiating Skills 156

Negotiating Skills Asia Price Reduction China 156