ivalua

MAY 10, 2025

Enterprise procurement leaders are under more pressure than ever—juggling cost control, compliance, supplier risk, and internal complexity, all while trying to modernize outdated systems. AI, automation, and generative tools are redefining efficiency, allowing procurement teams to move from reactive to proactive decision-making.

Procurement Solutions 130

Procurement Solutions Sourcing Strategies Optimal Sourcing Analytics Software 130

RFgen

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

Forget static network designs and gut-feel decisions. 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. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in.

Optimal Sourcing 98

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Optimization Modeling Inventory Reduction 98

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 15, 2023

We are trying to assess the value of a network in managing contract manufacturing.) Use of Supply Chain Descriptors Most organizations are locked into functional silos driven by functional metrics. Stuck in a rut, supply chain leaders try to punch their way through a set of conflicting metrics and priorities each day.

Manufacturing Procurement 468

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Planning 468

The Logistics of Logistics

MAY 1, 2024

Samuel Parker and Joe Lynch discuss DAT iQ: the metrics that matter. DAT iQ provides freight intelligence to inform your budget and procurement strategies so you can navigate market volatility with greater confidence and agility. Network Analytics: Understand past, present, and future market conditions.

Metrics 246

Metrics Logistics Network Optimization Software Analytics Software Optimal Sourcing 246

GlobalTranz

JULY 28, 2021

There are many working parts, network partners, and opportunities for things to go wrong that some are often overlooked. Additional opportunities can be reached through transportation optimization whether using a 3PL or 4PL. Defining Transportation Optimization.

Optimal Sourcing 317

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Network Optimization Supply Chain Optimization 317

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 Waste Reduction Inventory Reduction Expense Reduction 96

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

Logistics Viewpoints

MAY 19, 2022

Supply chain optimization has also improved in significant ways that can address these trade-offs better than before. Analytical techniques like linear programming can create the mathematically “optimal” plan, but these methods must be implemented well to avoid creating other challenges. Supply chain optimization for today’s realities.

Optimal Sourcing 300

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply Chain Optimization Optimization Software 300

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 18, 2023

For organizations layered in functional metrics and driving a cost agenda, this is a tough nut to crack. During the pandemic, companies struggled with planning systems turning off the optimizers, and using the technology as a system of record. What Is the Value of A Network? Tougher than most understand. Higher variability.

Supply Chain Planning Software 417

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Software 417

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

ivalua

JUNE 14, 2023

We recommend leveraging these workstreams, based on Gartner’s 4 Workstreams for Successful Implementation of Any Procurement Application to maximize the impact of your next large-scale procurement implementation: 1. Ivalua Spend Management Insights [ivory-search] Get Ready for Success!

Optimal Sourcing 239

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Sourcing Strategies Resource Reduction 239

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 3, 2018

Third, they align the interests of all the firms in the supply network so that companies optimize the chain’s performance when they maximize their interests. Reward teams for cross-functional metrics. Focus functional metrics to improving reliability. For more on this topic, read the book Supply Chain Metrics That Matter.

Supply Chain Planning Software 377

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

Enchange Supply Chain Consultancy

JUNE 10, 2025

Here are the Top 5 Do’s and Don’ts to help you build a high-performing RTM model and distributor network: ✅Top 5 Do’s Do Align RTM Strategy with Consumer Behaviour : Design your RTM based on where, how, and why your consumers shop. Urban vs. rural, modern trade vs. traditional trade—each requires a tailored approach.

Waste Reduction 165

Waste Reduction Inventory Reduction Vendor Strategies Cost Reduction Strategies 165

ivalua

JUNE 12, 2025

If you’re evaluating procurement technology or exploring ways to drive more value from existing systems, chances are you’re looking beyond tactical fixes – you want a smarter, scalable strategy. Misaligned priorities across finance, legal, and procurement create friction that delays decision-making and reduces impact.

Cost Reduction Strategies 130

Cost Reduction Strategies Material Savings Expense Reduction Negotiating Skills 130

GlobalTranz

NOVEMBER 30, 2021

When you track transportation metrics and KPIs like transit time, on-time pickups, and percent of truckload capacity utilized across your carrier partners, you can identify trends and opportunities for streamlined OTR transportation management. Analytics provides visibility into your transportation network and operations. a shipment?doesn’t

Optimal Sourcing 296

Optimal Sourcing Transportation Rail Software Sourcing Strategies 296

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 13, 2021

How do we design work systems to align organizations and ensure that there is the right balance of reward systems with metrics? Is there a need to redesign metrics to move from a functional and traditional function to drive goal alignment? How do we seamlessly connect outcomes from optimization to policy, strategy, and rules?

Cost Reduction Strategies 413

Cost Reduction Strategies Price Mitigation Strategies Supply Chain Strategy Supply Chain Design Software 413

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 16, 2014

I have learned that supply chain systems are more complex than I originally thought, and that the relationships between supply chain metrics are nonlinear. In my work on the Supply Chain Index , I see that companies I recognize as doing network design well are rising faster on the list of the Supply Chain Index work.

Supply Chain Design Software 319

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

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 Shaman

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014

There are three reasons why: Vertical excellence—having the best manufacturing, procurement or transportation function—has not worked. Aligned Metrics. An investment in SAP ERP improves transactional effectiveness in order-to-cash and procure-t0-pay. Do you actively design networks with a focus on form and function of inventory?

Optimal Sourcing 365

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

GlobalTranz

OCTOBER 6, 2021

As the state of the trucking market evolves and innovations improve , OTR freight management technologies and logistics service providers offer transportation management optimization to help businesses avoid significant supply chain disruption. Rapid Scalability and Leveraging the Collective Buying Power of a Large 3PL . Learn More.

Prescriptive Analytics Software 296

Prescriptive Analytics Software Analytics Software Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Network Software 296

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 5, 2013

Mapping of demand streams by demand characteristics and frequent adjustment of the demand engines to improve optimization. Management and planning of the entire network against a value network strategy. Integration of corporate social responsibility metrics in planning. Procurement. Functional metric orientation.

Supply Chain Planning Software 255

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Supply and Demand Supply Chain Design Software 255

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 1, 2024

Optimization engines to improve functional metric performance resulted in an exploding number of planners. I would prefer for companies to invest in the building of outside-in processes, supply chain design capabilities, and network automation. Reduce Data Latency in Networks. Think past EDI. Take the plunge.

Supply Chain Planning Software 392

Supply Chain Planning Software Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Waste Reduction 392

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 6, 2013

Closing the gaps happens when there are aligned metrics, clarity of vision and aligned planning processes. This includes optimization and discrete event simulation. It allows companies to evaluate the design of the network. Metrics Alignment. They lack cohesion. Tactical Planning: This process is usually monthly.

Supply Chain Planning Software 330

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Optimal Sourcing Scenario Planning 330

Logistics Viewpoints

JULY 22, 2021

This can result in a messy supply chain network and flows that adversely impact cost-to-serve as can be seen in figure 1 in case of a distribution intense company we worked with. This network evolved over a period of time as the company went through significant shifts such as acquisitions and launching of several new products.

S&OP 284

S&OP Supply and Demand Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Design Software 284

Supply Chain Shaman

JULY 13, 2023

My remorse is the technologists and business leaders are replacing traditional optimization with newer models based on narrow AI, but not questioning the taxonomies or the current definitions of planning. Today, companies are investing in networks to improve sensing. Today, companies are blind to relationship flows in their networks.

Optimal Sourcing 368

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Supply Chain Planning 368

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. Active management of value networks and scenario planning makes a difference. When companies look at singular metrics (labor costs or inventory), they have moved backwards. Aligning metrics matters.

Supply Chain Design Software 256

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

Logility

APRIL 28, 2025

But what seems like a simple case requires multiple agents and AI tools interpreting a disruption, assessing impact, optimizing multiple alternative scenarios, selecting the best, communicating rerouting instructions, updating customers, and so on. The true breakthrough lies in whats next: multi-agent orchestration. At least, not yet.

Supply Chain Planning Software 147

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software Modeling 147

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 29, 2023

However, recent disruptions have highlighted the vulnerabilities of these complex networks, resulting in significant financial losses for companies. It is crucial for organizations to understand the importance of Purchase Order collaboration to effectively manage their direct spend, optimize operations, and mitigate risks.

Manufacturing Procurement 269

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Material Savings Inventory Reduction 269

RFgen

DECEMBER 19, 2024

This targeted approach optimizes resource allocation and minimizes bottlenecks by allowing you to scale only where necessary. Optimizing existing layouts and exploring alternative locations may be necessary. Consider these essential metrics: Asset Utilization: How efficiently are your machines being used?

Material Savings 92

Material Savings Sourcing Strategies Resource Reduction Inventory Reduction 92

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

Supply Chain Shaman

OCTOBER 29, 2020

Cash-to-Cash Metrics. Cash-to-cash is a compound metric: (Days of Receivables+Days of Inventory)-Days of Payables=Cash Conversion Cycle. While touted as a digital procurement provider, it took the Company nine days to onboard me as a vendor, and two weeks to process a Purchase Order. In times of uncertainty, cash is king.

Optimal Sourcing 299

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Design Software Waste Reduction Inventory Reduction 299

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. Snow fell last night as I worked on my last Supply Chain Metrics That Matter report. Cash-to-cash is a compound metric. Reflections. Tonight I am in Frankfurt.

Optimal Sourcing 191

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Optimization 191

Supply Chain Shaman

AUGUST 11, 2014

We have found that supply chain metrics are gnarly and complicated.During Eight years ago, we started with a focus on Total Delivered Cost (TDC) and elevating our cost savings program performance, as well as eliminating sub-optimized cost efforts that might have helped in one specific area, but hurt our overall performance.

Case Study 305

Case Study Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 305

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 14, 2021

To keep customers like my dad satisfied, RGD and Quick-commerce companies need to invest in new technologies to optimize the supply chain and logistics operations. 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

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 31, 2022

This allows all transportation resources to be leveraged in creating a response, including the extended carrier network. As logistics organizations dynamically plan and re-plan carrier selection, distribution networks, delivery routes and frequencies, loads and capacities in real time as conditions change, the benefits can be enormous.

Logistics Network Optimization Software 291

Logistics Network Optimization Software Supply Chain Planning Software Predictive Analytics Software Supply Chain Network Software 291

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

To achieve these goals, corporate leadership must focus on two key areas: shift from internally focused supply chains to collaborative supply networks and actively design their supply chains. With expansion of supply chains into supply networks globally, there is an increased chance of disruptions caused by various kinds of risks.

Supply Chain Design Software 293

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

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 1, 2023

The increasing need for constantly analyzing these trade-offs across the supply chain networks has highlighted the need for digital twins and what-if capabilities in network design solutions. This means continuously assessing the trade-off between the total cost to serve and meeting customer demand and minimizing lost sales.

Supply Chain Planning Software 272

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain Software 272