Supply Chain Shaman

MAY 13, 2024

In my recent Mea Culpa post, I mentioned my prior work on Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP), and the importance of leadership. Leadership and S&OP? If you have walked in the shoes of the supply chain leader, you are probably laughing by now. Is your plan feasible? Sounds easy, right?

S&OP 393

S&OP Supply and Demand Inventory Reduction Expense Reduction 393

Logistics Viewpoints

OCTOBER 24, 2024

While SAP has had procurement analytics solutions, last year at Spend Connect Live, SAP announced the Spend Control Tower. Daniel Chapman, the senior director of process transformation for procure to pay at Warner Music, was a keynote speaker. SAP’s Business Network is a supply chain collaboration network.

SAP 292

SAP Procurement Solutions Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics 292

ToolsGroup

MARCH 31, 2025

In the fast-paced world of modern supply chains, traditional forecasting methods fall short. Advanced supply chain planning is being transformed by probabilistic forecasting , which revolutionizes demand forecasting, supply planning, and inventory optimization.

Forecasting 156

Forecasting Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Software Supply Chain Planning 156

ToolsGroup

MARCH 31, 2025

In the fast-paced world of modern supply chains, traditional forecasting methods fall short. Probabilistic forecasting is revolutionizing demand forecasting, supply planning, and inventory optimization by significantly improving forecast accuracy and decision-making across distribution networks.

Supply Chain Planning Software 156

Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Forecasting Software Inventory Reduction 156

Logistics Viewpoints

JANUARY 6, 2025

When you talk to companies that have implemented enterprise or supply chain applications, executives will usually admit that they have under-invested in training and preparing users to use the new technology. Molex implemented a multi-enterprise supply chain network platform from SAP called SAP Business Network.

Supply Chain Transformation 299

Supply Chain Transformation Supply Chain Software Purchasing Training Buyer Training 299

ivalua

JULY 1, 2025

Fragmented systems, rising cost pressures, and shifting risk profiles are making it harder than ever to manage procurement effectively. But what does it actually take to regain control and build a procurement strategy that’s both resilient and scalable? How do you begin developing a procurement strategy?

Material Savings 130

Material Savings Sourcing Strategies Cost Reduction Strategies Vendor Strategies 130

ivalua

JULY 1, 2025

Fragmented systems, rising cost pressures, and shifting risk profiles are making it harder than ever to manage procurement effectively. But what does it actually take to regain control and build a procurement strategy that’s both resilient and scalable? How do you begin developing a procurement strategy?

Material Savings 130

Material Savings Sourcing Strategies Cost Reduction Strategies Vendor Strategies 130

Logistics Viewpoints

OCTOBER 14, 2024

During my current supply chain planning market research, I have received briefings from several SCP companies. Many say that they are using generative AI, a type of AI that can create new content and ideas, as part of their journey toward autonomous planning. Solvoyo has a metric they call the user acceptance rate.

Supply Chain Planning Software 284

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Planning Procurement Analytics Scenario Planning 284

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 18, 2024

The logistics and supply chain industry is a critical component of global trade, responsible for moving goods and materials efficiently to meet consumer and business demands. Businesses face heightened uncertainty in managing costs and securing stable energy supplies.

Optimal Sourcing 268

Optimal Sourcing Supply Chain Design Software Material Savings Supply Chain Planning Software 268

ivalua

JULY 3, 2025

Direct and indirect procurement are two fundamental approaches in supply chain management, each serving distinct functions within an organization. Both focus on improving efficiency and reducing costs but differ in their strategic approach and impact on the core business operations. Find Out More What Is Procurement?

Manufacturing Procurement 130

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics 130

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

JUNE 3, 2025

Sudden and significant changes in demand, especially in consumer markets, stack up more challenges, requiring order revision and reallocation. The fulfillment process is further complicated by ongoing shifts in customer expectations and demands and geo-political and weather disruptions.

Optimal Sourcing 232

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Price Mitigation Strategies Sourcing Strategies 232

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 10, 2025

Today, in supply chain planning, this could not be further from reality. In May 2025, one in seven home-purchase agreements fell through resulting in the cancellation of 56,000 purchase contracts. Each is attempting to slather AI on today’s offering: this fueling a hype cycle for agentic AI. The reason?

Supply Chain Planning Software 221

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

ivalua

MAY 30, 2025

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. What’s the technology behind autonomous procurement agents? You may also have heard of Agentic AI.

Optimal Sourcing 130

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Negotiating Skills 130

ivalua

MAY 30, 2025

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. What’s the technology behind autonomous procurement agents? You may also have heard of Agentic AI.

Optimal Sourcing 130

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Negotiating Skills 130

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

JUNE 9, 2025

In this type of environment, traditional procurement software and manual processes are insufficient – and many procurement teams are looking to artificial intelligence (AI) for answers. Key Takeaways Understand the potential impact of AI – including Generative AI & AI Agents – in procurement.

Optimal Sourcing 130

Optimal Sourcing Procurement Solutions Purchasing Skills Procurement Analytics 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

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

(Most of the business networks were hollowed out by venture capitalists or purchased by opportunists. ” My problem is that we move through these hype cycles with little accountability for spending and with a major opportunity cost to not redefine work. The opportunity is to rethink planning. This will not help.

Supply Chain Planning Software 396

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Software Modeling Supply Chain Network Software 396

ToolsGroup

JANUARY 21, 2025

This year’s conference brought together industry leaders, tech pioneers, and retail professionals to address challenges and opportunities, to explore technologies and strategies that promise to revolutionize the industry. Here are the key insights we gathered firsthand at this year’s event.

Supply Chain Planning Software 156

Supply Chain Planning Software Forecasting Software Inventory Reduction Price Reduction 156

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 15, 2022

When reviewing strategy decks for supply chain teams, I often see statements like “move from a functional-silo’d focus to a drive a more holistic response.” ” Or “push a shift from a focus on cost to drive value?” Functional Metrics. ” Sound familiar? This gap grew over the last decade.

Manufacturing Procurement 397

Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Procurement Analytics 397

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

JANUARY 30, 2025

My head is wobbling with announcements, late-night Friday press releases, company name changes, and executive turnover in the supply chain planning market. Let’s hope that these new executives see the light of a new day. OMP, like o9 and Kinaxis, benefited from the SAP’s APO migration failure. Kinaxis and o9.

Supply Chain Planning Software 221

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Modeling Modeling Software 221

Precoro

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

For most CPOs and CFOs, deciding on the right purchasing setup — centralized or decentralized — is no small task. Each model has its perks, and choosing the best fit can feel like walking a tightrope. Keep reading to learn: What is centralized purchasing? What is centralized purchasing?

Pricing Training 105

Pricing Training Expense Reduction Price Reduction Purchasing Training 105

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 27, 2025

Five years ago, we all thought the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the most disrupted supply chain landscape we would ever see. Since then, supply chain disruptions and volatility have only increased. With the global e-commerce market predicted to reach $8.1 We were wrong. billion to $23.07 billion in 2023 to $13.3

Supply Chain Planning Software 331

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Network Software Logistics Network Optimization Software Predictive Analytics Software 331

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

Supply Chain Shaman

APRIL 27, 2022

Supply chain excellence is easier to say than to explain. Executive teams strive to drive improvement in supply chain results; yet, sadly, only four percent of public companies succeed. The supply chain is a complex non-linear system. Understanding this relationship requires modeling. The reason? A Case Study.

Procurement Analytics 369

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

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 7, 2023

Today, I speak at the North American Manufacturing Association, Manufacturing Leadership Conference, in Nashville on the use of data to improve supply chain resilience. Background The Council of Supply Chain Resilience met for the first time this month. Let’s start the beginning. What is supply chain resilience?

Supply Chain Design Software 395

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

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 29, 2023

In today’s interconnected global economy, supply chains play a vital role in the success of businesses. 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 270

Manufacturing Procurement Procurement Analytics Material Savings Inventory Reduction 270

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. In the automotive sector, manufacturers are simultaneously reducing inventory costs and delivery times.

Sourcing Strategies 96

Sourcing Strategies Inventory Reduction Waste Reduction Expense Reduction 96

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). Let’s start with a basic definition.

Optimal Sourcing 369

Optimal Sourcing Modeling Supply and Demand Manufacturing Procurement 369

Supply Chain Shaman

NOVEMBER 21, 2022

”) So, I sat across from a stranger on a cold winter night, the only thing that we had in common was our experience in supply chain planning. . And won’t the supply chain follow suit?” The supply chain planning industry is fraught with big claims with little substance. The facts are clear.

Supply Chain Planning Software 376

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Optimal Sourcing Modeling 376

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

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023

Procuring transportation for freight is much different than any other procurement category. Transportation procurement needs to support both customer service and a company’s internal supply chain goals. One master of freight procurement is Kyle Masters. Simmons has highly demanding internal and external customers.

Procurement Solutions 283

Procurement Solutions Procurement Analytics Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing 283

Supply Chain Brain

JULY 1, 2025

By harnessing the growing power of AI to not only sense demand at a very fine-grain, real-time level, but also to govern decisions about pricing and inventory. Demand sensing has nothing to do with supply; it’s just about where and when, not whether, it will sell.

Price Reduction 87

Price Reduction Inventory Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Resource Reduction 87

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 26, 2025

” At that time, the sales organization used more point-of-sale data than their competitors, they had an impressive and innovative IT team, and their supply chain processes were what I considered best-in-class. This week, the organization reported that net sales decreased 2 percent to $19.5 What Is Outside-in Planning?

Material Savings 221

Material Savings Waste Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Price Reduction 221