Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

The manufacturing sector is facing unprecedented volatility in global trade, with tariffs becoming the latest in a series of uncertainty drivers that are impacting virtually all industries. Manufacturing plants are deeply entrenched; tied to infrastructure, suppliers, skilled labor, and regulatory requirements.

Manufacturing Procurement 250

Manufacturing Procurement Inventory Reduction Price Reduction Material Savings 250

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 19, 2025

Recent disruptions have exposed significant vulnerabilities in traditional models, driven by geopolitical instability, fluctuating demand, and operational inefficiencies. Just-in-time (JIT) inventory models, lean supplier networks, and offshore manufacturing reduced expenses but left companies exposed to disruptions.

Supply Chain Software 260

Supply Chain Software Inventory Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Supply Chain Planning Software 260

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 29, 2025

a leading global supplier of mechanical components for the manufacturing industry headquartered in Japan. The manufacturing and supply chain industries are rapidly evolving and increasingly volatile, fueled by shifts in global tariff and trade policy, geopolitical uncertainty, logistics disruptions, and technology developments.

Manufacturing Procurement 155

Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Software Logistics Network Optimization Software Manufacturing 155

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 2, 2025

The issue is that when companies optimize functional metrics, they throw the supply chain out of balance and sub-optimize value. Traditional approaches built optimization on top of relational databases. This shift improves modeling options and the use of disparate data. Supply chain leaders love bright and shiny objects.

Optimal Sourcing 195

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

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

They offer software systems and technology for complex integration, rapid application development, and advanced analytics and sell those solutions to companies that need to accelerate optimized business outcomes. Further, each product a manufacturer produces usually has different end-to-end supply chain partners.

Supply Chain Planning Software 296

Supply Chain Planning Software Prescriptive Analytics Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Software 296

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 2, 2024

The high-tech firm is more than a manufacturer of PCs, tablets, smartphones, and servers. The company has more than 2000 suppliers and operates over 30 manufacturing sites. During COVID, this more agile and resilient model allowed the firm to grow their market share. Factories serve local markets. We operate in many countries.

Supply Chain Planning Software 288

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Network Software 288

ToolsGroup

MARCH 31, 2025

Advanced supply chain planning is being transformed by probabilistic forecasting , which revolutionizes demand forecasting, supply planning, and inventory optimization. Probabilistic demand planning enables businesses to optimize stock levels while reducing costs and improving service levels. The result?

Forecasting 156

Forecasting Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Software Supply Chain Planning 156

Kinaxis

MAY 29, 2025

Let’s take a closer look at how four key industries—automotive, consumer packaged goods (CPG), high tech, and industrial manufacturing—are navigating the tariff rollercoaster and adjusting to the shifting landscape. Learn how industrial manufacturers are navigating tariff disruptions. Ready to turn tariffs into opportunity?

Modeling 130

Modeling Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Material Savings 130

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. By aligning supply chain and procurement, spend can be considered more holistically.

Optimal Sourcing 290

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions 290

SCMDOJO

JANUARY 9, 2025

Strategic sourcing and innovative solutions are often viewed as two distinct procurement tools, but they should not be seen in isolation. Think of them as apples and gearseach essential and effective on its own, yet when combined; they create a formidable mechanism for achieving procurement excellence.

Optimal Sourcing 98

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Solutions Negotiating Skills 98

ToolsGroup

MARCH 31, 2025

Probabilistic forecasting is revolutionizing demand forecasting, supply planning, and inventory optimization by significantly improving forecast accuracy and decision-making across distribution networks. Probabilistic demand planning enables businesses to optimize stock levels while reducing costs and improving service levels.

Supply Chain Planning Software 156

Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Forecasting Software Inventory Reduction 156

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 9, 2023

Translation of the demand forecast into planned orders to minimize manufacturing constraints. Use of optimization to consume planned orders into manufacturing scheduling and distribution requirements planning (including inventory optimization of safety stock). The focus is on functional optimization.

Optimal Sourcing 411

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Manufacturing Procurement Modeling 411

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 19, 2022

Supply chain optimization has also improved in significant ways that can address these trade-offs better than before. Operational innovations like the invention of containers led to the huge growth in global value chains, and today 95% of manufactured goods move on ships. Supply chain optimization for today’s realities.

Optimal Sourcing 306

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply Chain Optimization Optimization Software 306

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 18, 2023

During the pandemic, companies struggled with planning systems turning off the optimizers, and using the technology as a system of record. In the face of variability, this is two-to-six weeks too long to make allocation or procurement decisions. Steps to Take Here are three steps to take: Adaptive Modeling. Higher variability.

Supply Chain Planning Software 418

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

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 1, 2025

They emphasized being an Industry Cloud Complete Company with industry-specific solutions for over 2000 micro verticals across Process Manufacturing, Distribution, Service Industries, and Discrete Manufacturing. Industry-specific content is available for processes like Source to Settle, Procure to Pay, Order to Cash, and more.

Prescriptive Analytics Software 203

Prescriptive Analytics Software Optimal Sourcing Material Savings Predictive Analytics Software 203

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

PWC’s Digital Trends in Supply Chain Survey reports that 83% of manufacturers say that supply chain technologies have not delivered the expected results. Let’s zoom to the bottom line: the results are less than optimal for all the monies spent and practices deployed. When he speaks of the supply chain, he means procurement.

Supply Chain Planning Software 419

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Modeling Forecasting Software 419

RFgen

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

By harnessing the power of data science and analytics, you can gain end-to-end visibility across your entire network, breaking down information silos and optimizing every stage of your operations. Route Optimization: Calculate the most efficient delivery routes based on several factors. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in.

Optimal Sourcing 98

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Optimization Modeling Inventory Reduction 98

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 26, 2025

Supply chains, which facilitate the movement of products from manufacturers to consumers, have historically encountered issues such as inefficiency, fraud, and a lack of transparency. As Mediledger states The life sciences industry is uniquely complex in how pharmaceutical drugs move from manufacturers to serving patients.

Supply Chain Software 222

Supply Chain Software Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Network Software Optimal Sourcing 222

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 9, 2023

The discussions included the pros and cons of probabilistic versus deterministic optimization, advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Deep Learning, and improvements in Machine Learning. Each box has an optimizer that drives output from a model based on a functional definition using enterprise data.

Optimal Sourcing 363

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Supply and Demand Supply Chain Design Software 363

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 21, 2022

” As I dipped my spoon into some scrumptious chestnut soup at a great restaurant, my companion asked, “With the advancements in optimization and self-learning, aren’t we close to having self-driving supply chains?” The perspective of a manufacturing leader is quite different than that of a business leader in logistics.

Supply Chain Planning Software 377

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Optimal Sourcing Modeling 377

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 31, 2024

How should a global manufacturer make a decision? In short, the research tells me that the manufacturing industries are stuck. In contrast, for a global manufacturer, the answer is more complex. Coefficient of Determination or R² measures how well a statistical model predicts an outcome. ) What defines a feasible plan?

Supply Chain Planning Software 415

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Design Software Scenario Planning 415

Logistics Viewpoints

FEBRUARY 20, 2024

Optimization and simulation are the two main branches of SCND. Optimization accounts for over 90% of all work that is being done by SCND teams. This article describes how to incorporate simulation techniques into optimization, build a stochastic optimization model, and end up with a more resilient supply chain model.

Sourcing Strategies 311

Sourcing Strategies Supply Chain Design Software Modeling Inventory Reduction 311

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 26, 2023

The basic frame of supply chain planning–functional taxonomies for optimization on a relational database–must be redesigned before supply chain leaders can reap the benefit of deep learning, neural networks, and evolving forms of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Or a unified data model across source, make, and deliver for planning?

Optimal Sourcing 369

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply and Demand Manufacturing Procurement 369

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

ToolsGroup

MAY 30, 2018

There has been a lot of discussion around this topic lately and I wanted to offer a few insights, including around the importance of the data model in high-quality decision making using digital twins. These are virtual counterparts to the physical world that model a product’s uniqueness and its lifecycle.

Modeling 168

Modeling Modeling Software Supply Chain Planning Software Optimization Modeling 168

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

Logility

MAY 14, 2025

Whether its demand forecasting, network design, or manufacturing optimization, AI is enabling companies to respond faster and smarter to disruption. Network Design Is Top of Mind There was a strong interest in network optimization and resiliency, especially in the face of tariffs and global disruptions.

Gartner 131

Gartner Modeling Supply Chain Design Software Optimal Sourcing 131

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 14, 2023

And even before they begin, they must realize these problems are too big for any single team—supply chain must connect with finance and procurement to treat the n-tier suppliers as an extended part of their network and become their preferred customer. For this to happen, finance needs to be in lockstep with procurement.

Supply Chain Design Software 325

Supply Chain Design Software Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling 325

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

I know that your primary focus is procurement. The distribution models were never tested when implemented. As a result, after four years of the initial go-live, the team blindly used planning models, distorting the plan. I encourage all to backcast to test and improve their models. The reason? Just ask Anna.

Supply and Demand 433

Supply and Demand Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Demand Planning 433

ivalua

MAY 6, 2020

The key to Zara’s ability to establish an agile Supply Chain rests on the following unique approaches: Procurement Methodology: Zara’s Procurement team doesn’t work on the number of finished clothes but on the quantity of raw materials needed to manufacture the clothes.

Agile and Lean Supply Chain 37

Agile and Lean Supply Chain Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement 37

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. As companies across industries have discovered, a well-optimized supply chain can drive significant improvements throughout their operations.

Sourcing Strategies 96

Sourcing Strategies Inventory Reduction Waste Reduction Expense Reduction 96

Freightos

APRIL 23, 2025

Home Introducing Freightos Enterprise: End-to-End Procurement, Benchmarking, and Management Freightos Enterprise unifies market intelligence, tender management, and shipment operations into one solution, enhancing logistics efficiency for large import-export businesses.

Optimal Sourcing 156

Optimal Sourcing Benchmarking Manufacturing Procurement Procurement 156

Supply Chain Game Changer

AUGUST 30, 2022

Many businesses use some form of Total Cost of Ownership model to support their Procurement and sourcing decisions. In fact these models are not just used casually, but they often are designed to inform and make optimal sourcing choices. What is a Total Cost of Ownership Model? Where do these TCO Models break down?

Optimal Sourcing 105

Optimal Sourcing Purchasing Skills Manufacturing Procurement Negotiating Skills 105

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 13, 2023

How wrong and how biased depends on the inputs and the refinement of the model. The problem is helping models sort through inaccuracy and bias. The general AI models like ChatGPT are the buzz, but the greatest lift for the supply chain is happening in the world of narrow AI driven by deep learning. What Will Be the Value?

Optimal Sourcing 368

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Supply Chain Planning 368

ToolsGroup

JANUARY 21, 2020

Boston and Paris, 21 January 2020 – ToolsGroup, a leader a global leader in supply chain planning software, announces that Allopneus, France’s number one tire retailer, has chosen ToolsGroup Service Optimizer 99+ supply chain planning software to optimize inventory and respond ever more swiftly and effectively to customer requirements.

Optimal Sourcing 35

Optimal Sourcing ToolsGroup Inventory Reduction Optimization Software 35

Supply Chain Shaman

JANUARY 21, 2014

In companies, there is no standard model for demand processes. For example, in a hospital, it is the translation of usage in a procedure to hospital order to a distributor and the translation of that usage to an order for a manufacturer. Most companies have designed supply-centric processes from the inside-out. It is evolving.

Supply and Demand 393

Supply and Demand Modeling Demand Planning Software Forecasting 393

Jaggaer

MAY 8, 2025

I am a big believer in procurement getting involved as early as possible in new product development based on all the market knowledge available. The worst-case scenario is product engineering developing a new product, selecting a supplier and then telling procurement to get on with negotiation.

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Procurement Solutions 52