Supply Chain Planning Archives

Supply Chain Planning provides the integrated framework to align demand, supply, capacity, production, inventory, and distribution, enabling predictable revenue fulfillment, superior customer service, resilient operations, and profitable growth. Explore insights on SIOP (Sales Inventory Operations Planning), demand planning, capacity and resource planning, production and materials planning, inventory planning, and network strategy. Learn how manufacturers and distributors leverage integrated planning, technology enablement, data, and analytics to improve visibility, optimize working capital, resolve constraints, and execute with confidence.

Production Scheduling Best Practices Drive Increased Customer Service, Operational Efficiencies & Inventory Turns
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Production Scheduling Best Practices Drive Increased Customer Service, Operational Efficiencies & Inventory Turns

Supply Chain Planning, Production & Materials Planning

Production Scheduling Best Practices Drive Increased Customer Service, Operational Efficiencies & Inventory Turns

Production scheduling is the bridge between planning and execution. Learn how disciplined scheduling practices can improve customer service, increase operational efficiency, reduce inventory, and help manufacturers turn supply chain chaos into predictable, profitable performance.

Lisa Anderson2026-08-04T12:07:15-07:00July 8, 2022|Categories: Supply Chain Planning, Production & Materials Planning|Tags: Best of, Capacity planning, Customer service, Demand planning, MPS, MRP, Operational excellence, Production & Materials Planning, Production scheduling, Profitability, Resiliency, Supply chain planning, Working capital|

Are You Managing Inventory or Is Inventory Managing You?
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Are You Managing Inventory or Is Inventory Managing You?

Supply Chain Planning, Inventory, Distribution & Replenishment Planning

Are You Managing Inventory or Is Inventory Managing You?

As executives continue to navigate these volatile economic conditions, the focus on inventory management increases. It is especially tough to determine what to do if you don't know if sales opportunities will dramatically increase as the competition falters and consumers drive demand or if sales will tank as recession fears increase and business optimism falters.

Lisa Anderson2026-08-02T17:53:05-07:00July 8, 2022|Categories: Supply Chain Planning, Inventory, Distribution & Replenishment Planning|Tags: Best of, Customer service, Inventory accuracy, Inventory optimization, Inventory reduction, Replenishment, Resiliency, S&OP, SIOP, Supply chain planning, Supply chain visibility, Working capital|

Supply Chain Collaboration & VMI to Get Ahead of Economic Challenges
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Supply Chain Collaboration & VMI to Get Ahead of Economic Challenges

In The News, Supply Chain Planning, Inventory, Distribution & Replenishment Planning

Supply Chain Collaboration & VMI to Get Ahead of Economic Challenges

Manufacturers are experiencing continued inflationary pressures threatening customer service and profit margins with record-breaking price increases and lack of material availability. To add fuel to the fire, they are also starting to worry about preparing for a potential recession.

Lisa Anderson2026-08-02T18:10:38-07:00July 7, 2022|Categories: In The News, Supply Chain Planning, Inventory, Distribution & Replenishment Planning|Tags: Brushware Magazine, Collaborative Planning, Customer service, Inventory optimization, Profitability, Replenishment, S&OP, SIOP, Supply chain planning, VMI, Working capital|

After a Year of Shortages, Here’s Why Stores Suddenly Have too Much Stuff
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After a Year of Shortages, Here’s Why Stores Suddenly Have too Much Stuff

In The News, Supply Chain Planning, Inventory, Distribution & Replenishment Planning

After a Year of Shortages, Here’s Why Stores Suddenly Have too Much Stuff

After months of shortages and supply chain disruptions, many retailers suddenly found themselves with excess inventory. Lisa Anderson discusses how shifting demand and the bullwhip effect contributed to the dramatic swing from empty shelves to overflowing warehouses.

Lisa Anderson2026-08-02T18:14:34-07:00June 30, 2022|Categories: In The News, Supply Chain Planning, Inventory, Distribution & Replenishment Planning|Tags: Customer service, Demand planning, Inventory optimization, Inventory reduction, Predictability, Replenishment, Supply chain disruptions, Supply chain planning, Supply chain shortages, Working capital|

Do You Need Software to be Successful with S&OP?
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Do You Need Software to be Successful with S&OP?

Supply Chain Planning, SIOP / Integrated Business Planning (IBP)

Do You Need Software to be Successful with S&OP?

As clients become interested in S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning), also known as SIOP (Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning) to get in front of customer requirements while simultaneously increasing margins and profits, executives want to know if software is required to support S&OP success.

Lisa Anderson2026-07-04T15:37:53-07:00June 2, 2022|Categories: Supply Chain Planning, SIOP / Integrated Business Planning (IBP)|Tags: CRM, Data & Analytics, Demand planning, S&OP, SIOP|

Material Planning Best Practices to Proactively Manage Cost & Service
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Material Planning Best Practices to Proactively Manage Cost & Service

Supply Chain Planning, Production & Materials Planning

Material Planning Best Practices to Proactively Manage Cost & Service

Since the pandemic, it has been a constant battle to ensure material availability, let alone to proactively manage cost and service. Even the most proactive and successful clients have experienced brief shortages of key materials and extended lead-times. The rest have been plagued with these issues.

Lisa Anderson2026-06-20T16:23:39-07:00June 2, 2022|Categories: Supply Chain Planning, Production & Materials Planning|Tags: Best of, Customer service, Inventory optimization, MRP, On-Time Delivery, Predictability, Production & Materials Planning, Profitability, Replenishment, Resiliency, S&OP, SIOP, Strategic sourcing, Supply chain planning|

Getting Ahead of Inflationary and Deflationary Pressures Using SIOP / S&OP
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Getting Ahead of Inflationary and Deflationary Pressures Using SIOP / S&OP

Supply Chain Planning, SIOP / Integrated Business Planning (IBP)

Getting Ahead of Inflationary and Deflationary Pressures Using SIOP / S&OP

Because we live in a global, supply chain disrupted world amidst record-breaking prices for food, commodities and oil (and all products dependent on these industries), not only are businesses looking to navigate inflationary pressures, but also deflationary pressures. Inflation can lead to deflation as consumers panic and demand softens.

Lisa Anderson2026-08-03T23:08:12-07:00June 2, 2022|Categories: Supply Chain Planning, SIOP / Integrated Business Planning (IBP)|Tags: Inflation, Inventory optimization, Predictive analytics, Profitability, Resiliency, S&OP, SIOP, Supply chain disruptions, Supply chain planning, Working capital|

Zephyr Manufacturing: Proactive Planning to Grow and Scale
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Zephyr Manufacturing: Proactive Planning to Grow and Scale

In The News, Supply Chain Planning, Capacity & Resource Planning

Zephyr Manufacturing: Proactive Planning to Grow and Scale

Proactive planning can help manufacturers prepare for growth even amid continued supply chain disruptions. Lisa Anderson discusses why capacity planning, what-if scenarios, and strong planning processes are essential to assess capabilities, support additional sales, and achieve profitable, scalable growth.

Lisa Anderson2026-08-03T23:18:32-07:00June 1, 2022|Categories: In The News, Supply Chain Planning, Capacity & Resource Planning|Tags: Capacity planning, Customer service, Predictability, Predictive analytics, Profitability, Resiliency, Revenue growth, Scalability, Supply chain disruptions, Supply chain planning|

Resiliency to Thrive During Inflationary & Volatile Times
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Resiliency to Thrive During Inflationary & Volatile Times

In The News, Supply Chain Planning, SIOP / Integrated Business Planning (IBP)

Resiliency to Thrive During Inflationary & Volatile Times

Inflation and supply chain volatility are putting increasing pressure on manufacturers to make faster, smarter decisions. Learn how resilient companies use SIOP to align demand, capacity, inventory, and profitability so they can adapt quickly, strengthen cash flow, and position themselves for long-term success.

Lisa Anderson2026-08-04T12:00:33-07:00May 6, 2022|Categories: In The News, Supply Chain Planning, SIOP / Integrated Business Planning (IBP)|Tags: Brushware Magazine, Capacity planning, Demand planning, Inflation, Profitability, Resiliency, S&OP, SIOP, Supply chain planning, Supply continuity, Working capital|

Replenishment Planning Best Practices to Improve Service Levels, Logistics Efficiencies, and Inventory Turns
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Replenishment Planning Best Practices to Improve Service Levels, Logistics Efficiencies, and Inventory Turns

Supply Chain Planning, Inventory, Distribution & Replenishment Planning

Replenishment Planning Best Practices to Improve Service Levels, Logistics Efficiencies, and Inventory Turns

Effective replenishment planning helps manufacturers and distributors improve customer service while controlling inventory and logistics costs. By aligning demand, inventory positioning, transportation, supplier capabilities, and replenishment strategies, companies can increase inventory turns, strengthen working capital, and improve supply chain responsiveness.