Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 6, 2023

Procurement and Supply Chain Management are essential functions that can help companies navigate these challenges, but they are often siloed and operate in separate departments. Their metrics are often misaligned as well – supply chain focuses on service and procurement focuses on the cost of acquiring materials and services.

Optimal Sourcing 246

Optimal Sourcing Sourcing Strategies Manufacturing Procurement Material Savings 246

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.) Understanding this relationship requires modeling. (A A Case Study.

Procurement Analytics 337

Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 337

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 15, 2022

GEP and the North Carolina State University (NCSU) Supply Chain Resource Cooperative surveyed supply chain, procurement and IT professionals across a range of industries to gain insight into their priorities and strategies regarding supply chain resilience and optimization. Alex Zhong, Director Product Marketing at GEP.

Supply Chain Network Software 289

Supply Chain Network Software Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Optimal Sourcing 289

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 25, 2024

Wikipedia In 2014, I was exploring methods to publish what is now the Supply Chains To Admire report. 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. We purchase data from Y charts. (A

Eliminating Excel in Purchasing 316

Eliminating Excel in Purchasing Gartner Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Strategy 316

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Next Steps: Start to model demand based on market data to align the organization on baseline demand. Resist the temptation to place deeper analytics on top of existing data models. Instead, rethink the model and the approach. Out of desperation, they turned to the use of descriptive analytics. Next Steps.

Supply Chain Planning Software 283

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply and Demand Procurement Analytics 283

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 25, 2021

Only four percent of companies outperformed their peer groups. of revenue on IT solutions and expensive solutions to improve performance, yet degrade balance sheet results against peer group sectors in tough markets? The Focus Inside-out Supported by Functional Metrics. How could the industry spend 1.7%

Procurement Analytics 370

Procurement Analytics Supply Chain Design Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Planning Software 370

Precoro

JULY 1, 2024

Small companies may also lack the resources to create a dedicated procurement team for proper sourcing and supplier vetting. Group purchasing organizations can be the perfect way for these companies to increase cost savings. Keep reading to learn: What is a group purchasing organization?

Purchasing Skills 94

Purchasing Skills Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Negotiate Pricing 94

Logistics Viewpoints

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

When shoppers were asked what would put them off making more ecommerce purchases in the future, 21% indicated they’d had negative delivery experiences, 20% said deliveries were not reliable, and 17% were dissatisfied with the delivery process. Similarly, maintaining a strong chain of custody (e.g.,

Resource Reduction 204

Resource Reduction Price Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Vendor Strategies 204

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. There is so much data, and to make use of it, we need to use data mining and analytics to drive meaningful insights that can be put to some good use. The retail industry is rich with data.

Optimal Sourcing 253

Optimal Sourcing Analysis Procurement Analytics Purchasing Skills 253

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 9, 2024

As an old gal, with over forty-years of supply chain experience, writing this report for ten years taught me many lessons. I find in the orbit chart analysis that 45% of companies in the report are unconsciously incompetent. They are unconscious that they are underperforming their peer group and have not driven industry improvement.

Supply Chain Planning Software 298

Supply Chain Planning Software Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Planning Gartner 298

Jaggaer

NOVEMBER 14, 2024

In today’s dynamic market, procurement is far more than just a buying and purchasing center. Our latest e-book, “ Is Manufacturing Missing Out On Procurement’s Value Add? Our latest e-book, “ Is Manufacturing Missing Out On Procurement’s Value Add? Here are some key insights from the e-book.

Manufacturing Procurement 52

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics 52

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 23, 2020

I write for this blog, craft reports from research for our newsletters, create blogs for Linkedin, and build articles for Forbes. I define supply chain excellence as year-over-year performance better than the peer group on this balanced scorecard. Each company ranks in the 4% of companies beating their peer groups. Stay tuned.

Supply Chain Design Software 292

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Analytics Software Optimization Software 292

Precoro

FEBRUARY 26, 2025

Within this setup, an ERP procurement module helps companies make purchases and manage suppliers. Numbers speak louder: According to Procurement Tactics’ top procurement trends in 2025 , 83% of CPOs prioritize digitization.   Keep reading to learn: What Is ERP in Procurement?

Procurement Solutions 45

Procurement Solutions Optimal Sourcing Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement 45

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 18, 2014

Most have a supply organization that has a sub-group that is chartered with forecasting demand for use by supply. In contrast, the demand organization that I am advocating is an analytics group that crosses over sales and marketing into supply. 2) Invest in New Forms of Analytics. Treat demand latency as the evil empire.

Supply and Demand 279

Supply and Demand Forecasting Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Software 279

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

One of my favorite supply chain leaders has a stack of Palantir reports in black binders on his desk. Kinaxis Purchase of Rubikloud. The purchase of Rubikloud by Kinaxis shows just how little the Kinaxis team knows about demand management. Kinaxis Purchase of Rubikloud. The Rubikloud acquisition was a $60M cash purchase.

Supply Chain Design Software 302

Supply Chain Design Software Procurement Solutions Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software 302

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 19, 2022

Analytical techniques like linear programming can create the mathematically “optimal” plan, but these methods must be implemented well to avoid creating other challenges. Fusing analytical approaches improves the math behind optimization, but to avoid highly-efficient silos it should be paired with concurrent planning.

Optimal Sourcing 282

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply Chain Optimization Optimization Software 282

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.

Supply Chain Planning Software 305

Supply Chain Planning Software Sustainability Material Savings Supply Chain Planning 305

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 29, 2014

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people in which there is a desire for harmony within the group, but the result is an irrational or dysfunctional outcome. I feel that the industry is engaged in ‘Group Think’ No one in this meetings is going to ask tough questions.

Supply Chain Planning Software 311

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Demand Planning Software Optimization Software 311

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

I know that your primary focus is procurement. Or planned orders to purchase orders?) Similarly, groups still believe that the world is flat even though Pythagoras in the 6th century BC and Parmenides in the 5th century BC determined that the earth was a sphere. ” Anna, this blog post is for you. I don’t know.

Supply and Demand 384

Supply and Demand Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Demand Planning 384

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 2, 2023

Models Matter. In implementing planning, most of the focus in purchasing technology in the sales cycle is on optimization. These role-based views can be consumed into a demand visibility signal and used in the respective applications within transportation and procurement.) Model With the Goal In Mind. The reason?

Supply and Demand 372

Supply and Demand Modeling Demand Planning Supply Chain Planning Software 372

Jaggaer

MARCH 20, 2025

Uncertainty around federal and state policy changes poses a significant challenge for procurement leaders across all types of higher education institutions. Additionally, institutions must remain adaptable to changes in compliance requirements related to federal grant-funded purchases, sustainability mandates, or supplier diversity policies.

Education 52

Education Procurement Analytics Pricing Training Purchasing Training 52

Supply Chain Shaman

AUGUST 12, 2020

I struggled to manage myself as I settled in elbow-to-elbow with the group to listen to the presentation. When Gartner purchased AMR Research in December 2009, the methodology became the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25. The research project analyzed 1200 combinations of 180 metrics for four hundred companies for the period of 2010-2012.

Gartner 243

Gartner Supply Chain Software Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement 243

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020

Demand latency is the time from channel purchase to order receipt.) Underneath the technology market in advanced analytics is the move from planning to decision support. The planning engines serve a well-defined group of business users, but there are not connected to an adaptive strategic model or a set of cross-functional processes.

Supply Chain Planning Software 407

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply and Demand Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software 407

Enterra Insights

MAY 26, 2022

Although retailers still talk about the digital path to purchase as an alternative to the traditional shopping journey, the lines between paths to purchase have blurred. With all generations getting more comfortable on the digital path to purchase, most retailers have adapted to this new reality and are pursuing omnichannel strategies.

Procurement Solutions 130

Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement Predictive Analytics Software 130

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 11, 2021

At the same time, the Chief Purchasing Officer (CPO) has taken on a pivotal role by securing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect the workforce and direct materials when primary sources fail. Sourcing and supply chains working in a siloed manner can cause significant delays, resulting in lost revenue upside while escalating costs.

Manufacturing Procurement 269

Manufacturing Procurement Sourcing Strategies Pharmaceutical Procurement Solutions 269

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 164

Negotiating Skills Supply Chain Design Software Modeling Software Supply Chain Planning Software 164

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 14, 2022

I wrote my first report on Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) while sitting on the floor in the Atlanta airport in 2005 when I was an AMR Research analyst. I wrote many reports on airport floors in those days–electrical plugs were just too scarce.) Sales and Operations Maturity Model from 2005-2008. Mistake #3.

S&OP 195

S&OP Supply and Demand Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement 195

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Concurrent means to “happen at the same time,” so applying this principle to the supply chain, any change, to any input across the supply chain can be considered and evaluated by demand, supply, distribution, capacity, and purchasing; in real-time. A change to one link (e.g. on-time delivery). A change to one link (e.g. on-time delivery).

Inventory Reduction 314

Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning 314

SCMDOJO

APRIL 26, 2023

Category management is a procurement strategy that involves grouping similar products or services together into categories and managing them as a single unit. This approach can help organizations streamline their procurement processes, negotiate better deals with suppliers, and ultimately save money.

Procurement Solutions 108

Procurement Solutions Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Optimal Sourcing 108

Synovos

NOVEMBER 10, 2023

The platinum medal puts RS Group in the top 1% of the 100,000-plus rated companies assessed by EcoVadis with each company rated on the material sustainability risks and issues for size, location, and industry. ESG Report: FY24 www.rsgroup.com/media/bsocsl4m/rs-group-esg-h1-highlights-pack_-november-23.pdf

Eliminating Excel in Purchasing 105

Eliminating Excel in Purchasing Groups Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement 105

RFgen

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

Key components of mobile inventory management include: Smartphone app: Allows field agents to log information, analyze metrics, and manage tasks even in remote areas with limited connectivity. Cloud software: Stores and distributes real-time data, producing reports accessible to all team members.

Inventory Management Software 92

Inventory Management Software Real-time Visibility Inventory Reduction Inventory Management 92

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 23, 2023

I never republished the report, because not enough has changed to warrant it.) The report centers on the concept of moving from inside-out to outside-in technologies. The order latency is the time from purchase by the end consumer to the visibility of the order. This is a natural fit for narrow AI and new forms of analytics.

Supply Chain Planning Software 335

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Scenario Planning Modeling 335

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 5, 2018

The award, based on beating the industry peer group on rate of improvement on the key metrics of growth, operating margin, inventory turns, and Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) while outperforming their peer group, is tough to achieve. The orbit chart below illustrates L’Oréal’s performance at the intersection of two metrics.

Case Study 261

Case Study Inventory Reduction Agile and Lean Supply Chain Study 261

The Logistics & Supply Chain Management Society

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

As part of the CMA CGM Group, CEVA Logistics has a global reach, which means that we can make a global difference. Photo Credit: Changi Airport Group. We are honored to partner with Changi Airport Group in this humanitarian effort for our friends in Indonesia.’’. The CMA CGM Group aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Supply Chain Planning Software 242

Supply Chain Planning Software Resource Reduction Global Supply Chain Software 242

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 4, 2021

Furthermore, COVID-19 exacerbated the existing shift from retail store purchases to e-commerce transactions, with a 32 percent increase in 2020 US e-commerce sales, according to the US Census Bureau. The Conference Board published a report in May titled “ Labor Shortages are Making a Comeback ”. percent for 12 months ending in June.

Supply Chain Software 262

Supply Chain Software Warehousing Real Estate Supply Chain 262

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 30, 2022

Here I want to address the question, “Why is the focus on the basics of supply chain a barrier to adopting new forms of analytics and supply chain processes? ” (The use of the term “basics” is usually code for the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to improve order-to-cash and procure-to-pay.).

Supply Chain Design Software 195

Supply Chain Design Software Supply and Demand Supply Chain Planning Software Data 195

ToolsGroup

AUGUST 1, 2022

Retail returns occur when a customer returns the purchased items to a seller in exchange for a refund, store credit, or a similar product. Returns come with plenty of challenges around logistics, inventory, and predicting volatile sales trends. It’s true that returns cost retailers money.

Retail 296

Retail Optimal Sourcing Purchasing Skills Procurement Solutions 296