Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 21, 2024

In 2016, we finished a study on continuous improvement. In the study, when we asked for the top elements of business pain to drive continuous improvement for companies greater than 5B$ in annual revenue, as shown in Figure 1, we found the largest issues with cross-functional alignment and availability of talent.

Procurement Analytics 394

Procurement Analytics Metrics Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Planning Software 394

RFgen

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

It’s the key to transforming your supply chain from a source of frustration into a well-oiled, profit-generating machine. 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.

Optimal Sourcing 98

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Optimization Modeling Inventory Reduction 98

ivalua

MAY 30, 2025

AI is reshaping the way organizations source, manage suppliers, and drive value today. As supply chains become more interconnected and risks more dynamic, traditional procurement tools fall short. AI agents offer a smarter, faster way to manage sourcing, risk, and spend across the entire procurement lifecycle.

Optimal Sourcing 130

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Negotiating Skills 130

RFgen

DECEMBER 19, 2024

But between rising costs, complex logistics, and the constant struggle to optimize space and labor, staying ahead can feel like an uphill battle. That’s where warehouse optimization comes in. Here’s what you can expect: A clear definition of warehouse optimization and its core components. Ready to get started?

Optimal Sourcing 97

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Waste Reduction Inventory Reduction 97

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 17, 2024

However, as carbon taxes and emissions reporting requirements continue increasing, supply chain professionals face mounting pressures from inside and outside their organizations to measure and improve performance against new, nebulous sustainability metrics.

Supply Chain Planning Software 264

Supply Chain Planning Software Procurement Solutions Supply Chain Software Cost Reduction Strategies 264

ivalua

MAY 29, 2025

Procurement and supply chain management are often used interchangeably—but in practice, the lines between them can blur in ways that create real friction. Misaligned priorities, siloed systems, and unclear ownership can directly impact key performance indicators like cost savings percentage and procurement cycle time.

Procurement Solutions 130

Procurement Solutions Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software 130

Logistics Viewpoints

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

Senior leaders must think beyond incremental improvements, embracing systemic innovation to achieve significant environmental impact. Meanwhile, advances in AI-driven route optimization reduce unnecessary mileage, cutting emissions and costs. Ethical sourcing is a fundamental aspect of social sustainability.

Waste Reduction 303

Waste Reduction Sustainability Supply Chain Design Software Resource Reduction 303

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.

Optimal Sourcing 306

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply Chain Optimization Optimization Software 306

GlobalTranz

JULY 28, 2021

Additional opportunities can be reached through transportation optimization whether using a 3PL or 4PL. It's important to understand how transportation optimization can work well with managed transportation service providers to attain that goal. Defining Transportation Optimization.

Optimal Sourcing 317

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Network Optimization Supply Chain Optimization 317

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. All our great tools in our toolbox to improve supply chain planning, but my observation is that we are trying to AI stupid. This shift improves modeling options and the use of disparate data.

Optimal Sourcing 195

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

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 Modeling 156

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

ivalua

MAY 21, 2025

Enterprise procurement teams face growing pressure to deliver strategic value – managing supplier risk, ensuring compliance, and supporting sustainability – all without sacrificing speed or control. This blog explores the most common challenges in digital procurement and the capabilities that matter most.

Optimal Sourcing 130

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Analytics Software 130

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

The Logistics of Logistics

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

During his tenure in the industry, he built innovative pricing and forecasting models, leveraging internal and external data sources to improve internal decision-making and increase profitability. Prior to joining DAT, Adamo led the pricing and decision science teams at FedEx.

Optimal Sourcing 246

Optimal Sourcing Freight Analytics Software Forecasting 246

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 27, 2025

A disruption at any point in the global logistics network including the average of 12 touch points from shipment packaging to final delivery can prove disastrous for profits, service levels, customer loyalty, and other key metrics. With the global e-commerce market predicted to reach $8.1 billion to $23.07

Supply Chain Planning Software 332

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Network Software Logistics Network Optimization Software Predictive Analytics Software 332

SCMDOJO

OCTOBER 28, 2024

Procurement People should learn the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) Process. Procurement professionals can contribute significantly to the S&OP process by providing valuable insights into supply chain dynamics, identifying potential risks, and optimizing sourcing strategies.

S&OP 96

S&OP Optimal Sourcing Supply and Demand Material Savings 96

Logistics Viewpoints

JANUARY 3, 2025

The DOE is still issuing large federal loans to startup companies, Novonix a synthetic graphite startup just received a $755 million loan to support its mission and reach its goal of producing 31,500 metric tonnes of synthetic graphite. Despite recognizing these risks, only two companies have comprehensive traceability commitments.

Supply Chain Software 298

Supply Chain Software Negotiating Skills Supply Chain Planning Software Purchasing Training 298

GlobalTranz

NOVEMBER 30, 2021

We’re sharing seven best practices to improve OTR transportation management, enabling shippers to stay competitive in the face of disruption. Leveraging historical data with current market trends, and layering human review and intervention provides insight into OTR transportation optimization opportunities.

Optimal Sourcing 296

Optimal Sourcing Transportation Rail Software Sourcing Strategies 296

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

Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 15, 2023

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. The metrics defining success in manufacturing and procurement do not align.

Manufacturing Procurement 469

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Planning 469

Silvon Software

APRIL 16, 2025

By leveraging analytics and key performance indicators (KPIs), manufacturers can optimize inventory, reduce waste, and boost profitability. In this post, well dive into six critical KPIs that influence inventory optimization. Tracking inventory flow and performance across your supply chain is a must.

Optimal Sourcing 65

Optimal Sourcing Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Optimization Price Mitigation Strategies 65

Logistics Viewpoints

OCTOBER 28, 2024

While 87% of supply chain leaders say their organization has made significant investments to improve supply chain resiliency, 19% admit that today they are unprepared to face supply chain disruptions due to supply shortages. “To Ideally, supply chain metrics would also reflect customer satisfaction, revenue growth, and market share.

Supply Chain Execution 287

Supply Chain Execution Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Strategy 287

ivalua

JUNE 26, 2023

Blog » Procurement on the Thames: Ivalua’s London Summer Symposium June 26, 2023 | | Thought Leadership by Eloise Barnum As businesses navigate through supply chain disruptions, high inflation, and sustainability initiatives, procurement, and supplier management has taken center stage in driving change.

Optimal Sourcing 244

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Sourcing Strategies 244

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 18, 2023

The most significant factor to improve resilience (ability to drive reliability in the face of variability) is organizational alignment. For organizations layered in functional metrics and driving a cost agenda, this is a tough nut to crack. Build in-market sourcing. Cash is king and financial viability is the overarching goal.

Supply Chain Planning Software 418

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

The Logistics of Logistics

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

Data-Driven Insights: DAT offers advanced analytics, providing shippers with actionable insights to optimize transportation decisions and mitigate risks. Network Analytics: Shippers gain granular visibility into capacity, helping them optimize sourcing and manage their transportation network more efficiently.

Optimal Sourcing 210

Optimal Sourcing Freight Logistics Network Optimization Software Analytics Software 210

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. Source capacity with precision using supply and demand metrics and forecasts.

Metrics 246

Metrics Logistics Network Optimization Software Analytics Software Optimal Sourcing 246

Supply Chain Shaman

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

For over a decade, since founding Supply Chain Insights in 2012, I have pounded the keyboard, asking business leaders to think more holistically about the impact of supply chain decisions on the firm’s value, the improvement of a value chain, and the impact on the environment. Functional Metrics and the Lack of Alignment to Strategy.

Supply Chain Design Software 222

Supply Chain Design Software Price Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Supply Chain Planning Software 222

SCMDOJO

OCTOBER 30, 2024

Search engine optimizations is one of the best digital marketing hacks out there for your industry since it helps buyers hunting for a transportation and logistics company find you online – and you don’t have to pay for PPC advertising. In such cases, optimizing a website can be useful only when potential clients can find it in SERPs.

Sourcing Strategies 98

Sourcing Strategies Cost Reduction Strategies Optimal Sourcing Logistics Network Optimization Software 98

ToolsGroup

MARCH 25, 2025

Beyond simply improving forecast accuracy, todays ML-powered demand forecasting software uncovers hidden supply trends, anticipates pricing fluctuations, and enables proactive supply chain planning decisions. Five Ways Advanced Machine Learning in Demand Planning Is Improving Forecasting 1.

Supply and Demand 156

Supply and Demand Forecasting Forecasting Software Modeling 156

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

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 3, 2025

Further, when they began thinking about a platform to detect and react to equipment anomalies, they realized those capabilities would support safety, better product quality, and production optimization. trillion records from 47 data sources in the Cognite platform. They realized the ROI associated with that could be massive.

Negotiating Skills 189

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

RFgen

MARCH 10, 2025

This critical aspect of optimization is often overshadowed by flashier supply chain trends. By ensuring optimal stock levels where demand exists, businesses can minimize holding costs, prevent lost sales due to stockouts, and ultimately, keep customers happy. The problem lies in effectively balancing inventory across the supply chain.

Optimal Sourcing 52

Optimal Sourcing Inventory Reduction Modeling Supply Chain Optimization 52

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 15, 2022

Instead of applying broad brush service level targets across the board, focusing efforts and inventory investment in segments of products that have a significant impact on sales and are on a growth trend will improve inventory productivity and return on investment. However, using metrics that can be easily tracked and updated is recommended.

Optimal Sourcing 264

Optimal Sourcing Analysis Procurement Analytics Purchasing Skills 264

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 24, 2025

The research methodology for the Supply Chains to Admire compares the performance of a company against its industry peer group for the metrics of Year-over-Year Revenue Growth, Inventory Turns, Operating Margin, and Return on Capital Employed (ROCE). For 80% of industries, the supply chain metrics represent more than 40% impact on value.

Gartner 195

Gartner Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Scenario Planning 195