Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 22, 2025

Schneider Electrics new Environmental Data Program gives logistics professionals unprecedented access to carbon and sustainability metrics, covering over 70% of its product turnover. This move empowers companies to make more informed sourcing decisions, comply with ESG standards, and build greener operations.

Supply Chain Planning 155

Supply Chain Planning Data Supply Chain Sourcing Strategies 155

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. Using channel and trading partner signals build outside-in models and orchestrate decisions across source, make and deliver.

Optimal Sourcing 195

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

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 3, 2018

We consistently see that companies focused on functional excellence–a focus within a functional silo like manufacturing, transportation or distribution– or singular metrics– like inventory or costs– underperform against their peer groups. ” I am not sure that I convinced the group, but I got them to think.

Supply Chain Planning Software 377

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Software 377

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 25, 2024

The use of orbit charts allowed me to see the patterns of performance at the intersection of metrics over time. 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.

Eliminating Excel in Purchasing 385

Eliminating Excel in Purchasing Gartner Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Strategy 385

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 27, 2022

At each company, there is a relationship between the metrics of growth, margin, inventory, customer service, and asset strategy. For the purpose of this article, I will use Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) as the proxy metric to discuss asset utilization.) I never calculated and accounted for the inter-dependencies between metrics.

Procurement Analytics 369

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

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 15, 2022

If you answer the survey, I will gladly give you a custom analysis of your organization against the peer group. The financial teams, and the Information Technology (IT) groups, did not see alignment gaps, but the supply chain teams felt them and viewed them as a critical performance issue. Functional Metrics.

Manufacturing Procurement 398

Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Procurement Analytics 398

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 3, 2025

According to a survey by ARC Advisory Group, only 10% of industrial companies are ready to apply artificial intelligence/machine learning. They prepare equipment for maintenance, do isolation (disconnect a piece of equipment from the flow of chemicals by closing valves), look at quality or reliability metrics, and do rounds.

Negotiating Skills 189

Negotiating Skills Supply Chain Design Software Modeling Software Supply Chain Planning Software 189

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

It is the end of a two-year research project, and identifies which publicly held companies outperformed their peer group on balance sheet results. Here we share the answers to the questions that we get the most often about this research: What is the source of data? We built peer groups based on like industries.

Pharmaceutical 307

Pharmaceutical Gartner Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Design 307

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 15, 2022

The idea is that data points within a group share similar properties, and each group is different (statistically speaking) from another. Retailers can apply cluster analysis techniques in different ways to find groups of customers, products, stores, or suppliers that behave similarly. The retail industry is rich with data.

Optimal Sourcing 264

Optimal Sourcing Analysis Procurement Analytics Purchasing Skills 264

ivalua

SEPTEMBER 10, 2019

Here’s a look at some of the Procure- to-Pay metrics procurement leaders should watch in order to better understand their digital progress. This metric closely aligns with digital transformation progress. This metric also impacts others like speed, visibility, and cost savings. . #2

Metrics 140

Metrics Negotiate Pricing Supply Chain Software Benchmarking 140

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 7, 2022

These include: Challenges getting ESG metrics from suppliers, partners, and other third parties. Time-consuming manual processes to report on ESG metrics. From product design, sourcing and operations planning, to manufacturing, logistics and warehousing, there are many opportunities for improved efficiency at each stage of the process.

Material Savings 321

Material Savings Waste Reduction Resource Reduction Supply Chain Design Software 321

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 18, 2023

For organizations layered in functional metrics and driving a cost agenda, this is a tough nut to crack. Companies driving digital transformation did not outperform their peer groups during the past three years. Build in-market sourcing. Rationalize global strategies to focus on building markets based on in-market sourcing.

Supply Chain Planning Software 418

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Software 418

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 155

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Sourcing Strategies Price Mitigation Strategies 155

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 22, 2019

The source data for the analysis comes from Ycharts.). In the Supply Chains to Admire analysis, the focus is to understand the relative performance of a company within a peer group of growth, operating margin, inventory turns, and Return on Invested Capital (ROIC). (We The companies I work with struggle to set metrics targets.

Supply Chain Design Software 304

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Gartner Supply Chain Software 304

Supply Chain Shaman

MARCH 5, 2019

Groups throw-out concepts. While there are many types of visibility (see Figure 1), the most common use case is either sourcing or transportation visibility. The focus is on functional metrics, but are unable to get to overall supply chain metrics. Groups rally around the concept of real-time. It looks like this.

Supply Chain Design Software 340

Supply Chain Design Software Real-time Visibility Prescriptive Analytics Software Supply Chain Planning Software 340

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 14, 2013

I have worked for Gartner Group, AMR Research, Altimeter Group and now my own company, Supply Chain Insights. However, we have found that only a few companies are improving the potential of their supply chain to balance supply chain metrics. A value network is a group of companies that trade together to satisfy a market need.

Gartner 286

Gartner S&OP Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Planning Software 286

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 9, 2014

It was my first time working with this group. The team was organized around the functional silos of source, make and deliver. The group laughed. ” The group was quiet as we discussed the fact in the traditional organization that functional silos are not designed to work together. My name is often mispronounced.

Manufacturing Procurement 318

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Benchmarking Supply Chain Design Software 318

Logility

AUGUST 5, 2021

But before you start measuring everything in sight – and a few things not in sight – start with a set of thoughtful intentions and questions that will guide you to the right set of metrics and the right set of expectations. Cash-Cash Cycle Time; Return on SC Fixed Assets; Return on Working Capital ASCM SCOR Metrics, Supply Chain Council.

Metrics 130

Metrics Modeling Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 130

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 6, 2020

Despite goals to improve agility and resiliency, functional metrics for manufacturing efficiency continually throw the supply chain out of balance. The second step is to align metrics to the strategy. A focus on cross-functional metrics improves supply chain resiliency. (I The So What? ” I share it because it is real life.

Agile and Lean Supply Chain 363

Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Strategy 363

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 15, 2022

Of the professionals surveyed, 59% saw the gap between procurement/sourcing and supply chain to be a major disconnect, and the most pressing pain point. Both procurement solutions from ERP companies like Oracle or Infor – or business spend management solutions – can help companies enforce these sourcing supplier decisions.

Supply Chain Network Software 314

Supply Chain Network Software Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Optimal Sourcing 314

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 15, 2023

I informed our readers that ARC Advisory Group/Logistics Viewpoints is conducting a survey to determine the perceptions, priorities, and strategic initiatives of today’s supply chain and logistics executives. However, I am surprised at the degree that localized sourcing is being considered.

Supply Chain Planning 295

Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Optimization Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain 295

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 14, 2013

This week, at Supply Chain Insights LLC, we published our 11th report in the series titled Supply Chain Metrics That Matter. Financial ratios allow us to analyze performance across the peer group (large against small companies) and across currencies. We also look for companies that have out-performed their peer groups.

Supply Chain Design Software 256

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Design 256

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 15, 2021

The focus of planning is volume not value, and leaders struggle to change and embrace bi-directional orchestration to capture the price/volume trade-offs between source, make, deliver and plan. Ask the group to consider: Invest in Market Sensing. Build Strong Supply Chain Sourcing Development Practices.

Supply Chain Design Software 355

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

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

In manufacturing-based companies, 70-80% of costs are in the processes of source, make and deliver. While the practices of finance are over 200 years old, in contrast, supply chain as a cross-functional practice (the combination of make, source and deliver) was recently defined in 1982. Is talent a cost or an asset? Empowered talent.

Cost Reduction Strategies 263

Cost Reduction Strategies Inventory Reduction Resource Reduction Manufacturing Procurement 263

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

This report, Supply Chains to Admire , compares the progress of 200 companies within their respective peer groups on both performance and improvement. Aligned Metrics. How do you balance the trade-offs between source, make and deliver? Supply Chain Design. Active, and intentional, design of the supply chain.

Optimal Sourcing 365

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

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 16, 2014

I have taken myself off the road to write the book Metrics That Matter. Before the session, ask a small group to chart your progress on the Effective Frontier using orbit charts. You just do not see the patterns of the interrelationships of metrics in an Excel spreadsheet. Then give the group an innovation fund.

Supply Chain Design Software 298

Supply Chain Design Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Modeling Supply Chain Planning Software 298

Descartes

JUNE 4, 2025

Descartes Announces Fiscal 2026 First Quarter Financial Results WATERLOO, Ontario and ATLANTA, Georgia, June 4, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – The Descartes Systems Group Inc. Net income as % of revenues 21% 22% 22% 21% 23% Adjusted EBITDA as % of revenues 45% 45% 43% 43% 44% The Descartes Systems Group Inc. Income tax expense 11.7

Expense Reduction 195

Expense Reduction Material Savings Cost Reduction Strategies Price Reduction 195

Supply Chain Shaman

MARCH 18, 2018

Financial reengineering focuses on the optimization of short-term results that are usually based on a functional analysis of source, make, or deliver. Few consultants understand the interrelationships between source, make and deliver. Snow fell last night as I worked on my last Supply Chain Metrics That Matter report.

Optimal Sourcing 192

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Optimization 192

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 18, 2022

Ferguson provides plumbing and heating products to 9 specialist customer groups – over a million customers – in the US and Canada. The company sources goods from 34,000 suppliers out of 30 nations. The company has shown sustained improvement on this metric. Ferguson has a big and complex supply chain.

Supply Chain Design Software 305

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

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 9, 2013

We started with mining the data on supply chain financial ratios within industry groups. This research was the backbone of the Supply Chain Metrics that Matter series of reports. Instead, they have measured functional metrics or focused on projects. The Building of the Index. As we did this analysis, I was amazed.

Supply Chain Software 211

Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Modeling Modeling Software 211

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 2, 2023

3PLs can quickly assess client-level profitability via accurate cost-to-serve metrics and analytics on demand while creating a verifiable audit trail of events and charges that reduce potential credit settlements and contribute to customer satisfaction. To learn more, visit Open Sky Group today.

Supply Chain Planning Software 278

Supply Chain Planning Software Inventory Management Software Analytics Software Forecasting Software 278

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 26, 2024

On Friday, I presented an overview of outside-in planning to a consulting group. Based on the work with Georgia Tech, we are getting clear on which metrics matter by industry. As companies adopt a balanced scorecard, the functional metrics shift to a focus on reliability. I love the questions when I present. The reason?

Modeling 273

Modeling Supply and Demand Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software 273

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Over the period of 2009-2015 only 88% of companies made improvement on the “Supply Chain Metrics That Matter.” (The The Supply Chain Metrics That Matter are a portfolio of metrics which correlate to higher market capitalization. A ranking in the top 2/3 of the peer group qualifies a company for further analysis.

Agile and Lean Supply Chain 186

Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Planning Software 186

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 288

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Forecasting Software Optimization Software 288

Supply Chain Insights

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

It is the end of a two-year research project, and identifies which publicly held companies outperformed their peer group on balance sheet results. Here we share the answers to the questions that we get the most often about this research: What is the source of data? We built peer groups based on like industries.

Pharmaceutical 179

Pharmaceutical Gartner Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Design 179

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 4, 2018

For the past five years, the team at Supply Chain Insights identified Supply Chains to Admire Award Winners by analyzing performance by peer group on the key metrics of growth, operating margin, inventory turns and Return on Invested Capital (ROIC). Note the balanced results of Rockwell Automation against their peer group.

Supply Chain Software 34

Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Manufacturing Procurement 34

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 14, 2022

ARC Advisory Group, where I work, recently announced the publication of their analysis of the 25 manufacturers with the most mature digital transformations. In fact, their digital champions began by aggressively expanding their sources of wisdom beyond their historic and current resources. This is the inaugural edition of the report.

Supply Chain Design Software 263

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Report Logistics Network Optimization Software 263