Supply Chain Software Implementation: How to Optimize ROI 

Supply Chain Software Implementation: A Prescriptive Approach to Optimize ROI 

Drawing from lessons learned over the past few years, supply chain leaders are eager to find new opportunities to make faster, more accurate, and consistent decisions in real time. And it’s no wonder why: market demand is constantly evolving, and customer expectations are becoming increasingly diverse. 

In response, most companies hastily select supply chain software based solely on functionality, pricing, support services, and reputation. However, this path does not guarantee a high-impact, yet low-risk, implementation. When selecting supply chain solutions partners, delivering lasting business value starts long before the first vendor meeting. 

“The move to the cloud has amplified the importance of measuring the value to be achieved. But that also means businesses must understand that value at the beginning of the transformation journey. This step may sound simple, but it is one of the most overlooked,” Evan Flinn, Director of Solution Architecture at Logility said. 

Set the right foundation for lasting success 

So, what’s involved in doing well at the beginning of a supply chain software implementation? According to Flinn, the answer is “outside-in thinking and figuring out which outcomes are desirable for the business.” 

“Reflecting on our experience delivering and supporting more than 800 client implementations, nothing empowers business, supply chain, and technology decision-makers more than a collaborative process that encourages clear thinking and strategizing with expertise and accurate data from the beginning of the implementation project.” 

This approach allows decision-makers to define four critical success factors that supply chain and business leaders should keep in mind during their implementation process: 

• Availability of required data 
• Accessibility of required data 
• Proven integration options 
• Required IT involvement and support 

This outside-in thinking helps create a strong business case for acquiring stakeholder buy-in, obtaining funding approval, and evaluating supply chain software. As the transformation progresses in the weeks after deploying the new solution, the program management team would then have the foundation to communicate continuously with executives, stakeholders, and users. Such communications include tangible improvements, business outcomes, and organizational opportunities for additional growth. 

“As simple as it sounds, strong program management and good communication are essential best practices for fostering stakeholder buy-in and user adoption company-wide. They allow users to see the progress the new technology is making and become inspired to continue using it within their daily workflow,” Scott Abbate, Executive Vice President of Business and Solution Consulting at Logility suggested. 

Optimize software ROI with prescriptive guidance 

To achieve such a high level of success, supply chain organizations need more than a knowledgeable software provider that offers exceptional capabilities at an affordable price. They also need a trusted partner with a prescriptive approach to supply chain planning. 

With Logility, our customers receive a uniquely personalized methodology tailored to their business needs. By prioritizing early wins, deployment, success measurement, and continuous improvement in that order, they better understand how to optimize the value of their software investment. 

The prescriptive approach guides the implementation of a configurable digital supply chain platform with the support of industry experts – all delivered through a five-step Prescriptive Engagement Process: 

1. Outcomes Workshop 

Our customers can clearly define their desired outcomes and identify the inhibitors to achieving them. Doing so helps create KPIs by which to measure performance and what organizational complications or changes are needed to execute. 

2. Value Case Prioritization 

A set of use cases is defined to produce the highest level of value. While a customer may need 30 different capabilities, starting with the five most fundamental ones is most effective to gain the highest-value returns. 

3. Solution Alignment 

This step demonstrates how the software can deliver high value on each top-selected use case as a basis for choosing a partner. 

4. Business Case Development 

Based on the value identified in the first two steps, customers can define a business case with a financial game plan based on that value. This includes recognizing the potential to be achieved in your industry and providing industry benchmarking based on Logility’s expertise. 

5. Value Assurance Workshop 

This last step helps identify how to realize the value regarding resources, timeliness, data accessibility, operational readiness, alignment, and variability. By creating a deployment plan and timeline, customers can maximize ROI and minimize risk early in the project. 

“Initial alignment, identification of business needs, and matching them to software capabilities, and all the way through value assurance – this is all paramount in ensuring the overall success of a supply chain software implementation and the entire business,” Flinn adds. 

For more, sign up for the on-demand webinar: From Risk to Reward – Supply Chain Software Implementation Success.