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 269

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Material Savings Inventory Reduction 269

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

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 Sourcing Strategies Cost Reduction Strategies Expense Reduction 105

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 27, 2022

In this area of research, I find that companies are like dogs chasing cars. At each company, there is a relationship between the metrics of growth, margin, inventory, customer service, and asset strategy. Understanding this relationship requires modeling. (A The reason? The grass is always greener at another company.

Procurement Analytics 369

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

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. Ask a procurement or transportation professional if they have a good demand signal and expect a laugh. A negative FVA increases cost, inventory, and risk. The ripple effects are pervasive.

Supply Chain Planning Software 221

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Waste Reduction 221

SCMDOJO

DECEMBER 29, 2024

Decoding the Procurement Department: A Comprehensive Guide to Roles and Responsibilities This supply chain article provides a comprehensive overview of the procurement department within an organization. Read In Detail About Procurement Department Here 2.

Negotiating Skills 95

Negotiating Skills Purchasing Skills Purchasing Training Buyer Training 95

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 18, 2025

E-commerce giants like Amazon, Alibaba, Temu, and Shein are expanding their global warehouse footprints, driving the adoption of WMS to manage inventory, reduce lead times, and optimize last-mile delivery. A majority of warehouses report labor shortages, and more than 50% cite this as a significant business challenge that is only worsening.

Demand Planning Software 163

Demand Planning Software Optimization Software Logistics Network Optimization Software Warehousing 163

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 13, 2024

I share research, observations, and insights. How aligned do you believe your organization is to drive these metrics? I shared this after interviewing 150 companies on their S&OP processes while at AMR Research. This research, completed in 2006, was during the transformation of multi-national to global supply chains.

S&OP 393

S&OP Supply and Demand Inventory Reduction Expense Reduction 393

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 1, 2024

While consultants know the answers (or believe they do), I believe my goal as a research analyst is to unearth new questions that should be asked (and answered together openly in the supply chain community) to improve value. I see a preponderance of reports and white papers that have lots of pages but say little. Back to John.

Supply Chain Planning Software 392

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Waste Reduction 392

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 29, 2013

We have been taught, as supply chain leaders, that over the last decade supply chain processes have improved costs, shortened cycle times, improved customer service and decreased inventory. Based on our recent research, we find that only 1% of process-based companies are making progress on both operating margins and inventory.

Supply Chain Planning Software 350

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Modeling Analytics Software 350

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 322

Supply Chain Planning Software Sustainability Material Savings Supply Chain Planning 322

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 29, 2014

The consulting team pitches a theme–vision of supply chain best practices, big data analytics, or demand-driven value networks– to the executive team, and a new project is initiated. It was also the preference of the consulting partners because the projects were longer, more costly and better aligned with the consulting model.

Supply Chain Planning Software 379

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Demand Planning Software Optimization Software 379

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 7, 2023

Here I share some insights from my research. 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?” Yes, I think so.

Supply Chain Design Software 395

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

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 14, 2014

I think about this discussion with Keith often as I work on the Supply Chain Index and edit the chapters of Metrics That Matter. In Figure 1, I share a composite orbit chart of progress of Cisco Systems, Intel, Samsung and Flextronics on the Effective Frontier at the intersection of inventory turns and operating margin for 2006-2012.

Manufacturing Procurement 345

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Procurement Analytics Modeling 345

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 300

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply Chain Optimization Optimization Software 300

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 15, 2022

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. ABC Analysis for Inventory Planning : Clustering products that behave similarly highlights issues, challenges, and opportunities for serving customers better.

Optimal Sourcing 260

Optimal Sourcing Analysis Procurement Analytics Purchasing Skills 260

E2open

OCTOBER 2, 2024

The latest study highlights opportunities for businesses to strengthen resilience with artificial intelligence (AI)-driven demand sensing to optimize inventory, realize more value from planning investments, and better serve clients during disruptions of any size. Orlando, FL – October 2, 2024 – E2open Parent Holdings, Inc.

Forecasting Software 78

Forecasting Software Forecasting Supply Chain Planning Software Inventory Reduction 78

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 1, 2023

As we’ve seen over the past few years, businesses will keep automating and integrating supply chain planning capabilities, including demand-sensing, dynamic safety-stock management, inventory optimization, and external collaboration. 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

Precoro

JULY 16, 2023

The purchasing department plays a critical role in the success of an organization. Thought-out practices and well-managed workflows within the purchasing department are crucial for making sure that the company has the necessary resources available at the right time and at a reasonable cost.

Pricing Training 98

Pricing Training Purchasing Skills Procurement Analytics Purchasing Training 98

ToolsGroup

JUNE 11, 2019

With all the buzz around digital transformation, someone peering in from outside supply chain may assume most businesses have already digitized essential tasks like inventory planning. This article will share five things you need to know about optimizing inventory in the digital age.

Optimization Software 244

Optimization Software Supply Chain Optimization Supply Chain Planning Software Network Optimization 244

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 16, 2014

Despite two decades of advancement in supply chain technologies, companies are struggling to gain balance at the intersection of operating margin, inventory turns and case fulfillment. The research that I have conducted has enabled me to look at this holistically. They are slow to adapt. It is easier said than done.

Supply Chain Design Software 319

Supply Chain Design Software Network Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Network Software 319

Precoro

OCTOBER 6, 2022

With the global market expansion and deepening supply chain complexity, the roles of procurement leaders have evolved from tactical to strategic. Nowadays, procurement departments not only focus on the day-to-day buying operations but also search for the most efficient ways to go about them. How often do purchases happen?

Manufacturing Procurement 98

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Pricing Training 98

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.

S&OP 195

S&OP Supply and Demand Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement 195

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 14, 2021

A McKinsey research from July 2020 found that during the pandemic, 75% of shoppers have switched between the brands they frequently shop from.”. Inventory Optimization. Inventory Optimization involves decisions about the inventory level, the location, and the mix of products. Route Optimization.

Supply Chain Planning Software 288

Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Software Supply Chain Design Software Optimization Software 288

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 30, 2023

His organization purchased an advanced planning technology from well-known best of breed provider, and the implementation should have been successful, but it was not. As a result, demand planning is largely manual, inventory management is a series of manual inputs, and production planning is via spreadsheet.

Supply Chain Planning Software 387

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

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 11, 2023

In the warehouse context, a digital twin can be created to represent the physical layout, inventory, equipment, and workflows of a warehouse. Inventory management Another area where digital twins can be beneficial is inventory management.

Modeling 307

Modeling Analytics Software Supply Chain Design Software Optimization Software 307

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 1, 2015

I am speaking this morning at the Terra Technology conference and doing a book signing of my new book, Supply Chain Metrics That Matter. In parallel, I have been hard at work on a report on multi-tier inventory optimization for the last two weeks. It will delay my report. It is morning in Orlando. The sun is rising.

Supply Chain Design Software 150

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Network Design Software Optimization Software 150

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 23, 2014

Get Good at Having a Real-time Perpetual Inventory Signal. Foundational for ecommerce is a real-time perpetual inventory (PI) signal. If you are going to be excellent at ecommerce fulfillment, you need to have great perpetual inventory capabilities. No matter where inventory is, put it to work. Don’t fool yourself.

Packaging 332

Packaging Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Design Software San Francisco 332

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

The Logistics & Supply Chain Management Society

AUGUST 20, 2020

Organisations that have successfully implemented RPA initiatives report cost savings of up to 80% and time savings of up to a staggering 40%. Procurement. Procurement can also have RPA do dynamic searches of websites to source or conduct market research for future buys and tenders. Purchase Order Management.

Supply Chain Software 246

Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Agile and Lean Supply Chain 246

Logistics Viewpoints

OCTOBER 19, 2023

The issue wasn’t poor planning – they had the inventory. Multiple calls only muddied the waters, but a few things became clear: inventory was in the warehouse, but my order for it was stuck. According to research by the boom! The failure was in supply chain orchestration – connecting planning to execution.

Supply Chain Planning Software 306

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Planning 306

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. It is now a matter of planning the procurement system and the supply management system outside-in and then look at the true demand to minimize the latency.

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Demand Planning Software 52

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. 84% of buyers read the return policy before making an online purchase.

Retail 296

Retail Optimal Sourcing Purchasing Skills Procurement Solutions 296

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 1, 2024

In this scenario, by adopting an adaptive supply chain, the retailer uses real-time data analytics to identify emerging trends and collaborate closely with suppliers to quickly adjust production and inventory levels to meet customer demand. This collaboration enables faster response times and cost savings.

Modeling 313

Modeling Network Optimization Supply Chain Design Software Material Savings 313

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. Learn how they work, their benefits and limitations, and how they fit in with procurement software.

Purchasing Skills 105

Purchasing Skills Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Negotiate Pricing 105

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 286

Supply Chain Planning Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Software 286

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 4, 2021

Digital commerce efficiently requires the digitalization of many customer-facing operations and sourcing and procurement. The First Step: Bring all the data together and ensure analytics and planning can happen on the same platform. . Accurate and timely reconciliation of purchase orders with receipts.

Supply Chain Planning Software 284

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Scenario Planning Modeling 284