VMI (vendor managed inventory) is the process where the supplier manages the customer's inventory so that the customer has the "right" item in the "right" place at the "right" time to ensure high service levels, efficient and productive operations, and the least amount of inventory tied up unnecessarily. The best VMI programs ensure that the end-to-end supply chain gains with both the supplier and the customer achieving improved results or benefits.
In today's VUCA-laden (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) environment, every executive must focus on common sense solutions that cut through the sludge to deliver increased productivity, profitability, and performance. Only those companies that are prepared to pivot and enhance customer value while delivering bottom line results will thrive in the [...]
One of the most common issues executives raise is the inability to secure reliable delivery dates upfront when communicating with customers and taking orders. Clearly, this bottleneck results in frustration and the potential for lost orders as customers demand reliable delivery dates, stable lead times, and expedited performance.
Enterprise resource planning systems, CRMs and other tech such as RFID, barcoding, customer and supplier portals, blockchain, IoT, and GPS tracking all support this goal.
Executives are struggling to keep up with inflationary raw material prices, elevated customer requirements, margin pressures, and the lack of people to fulfill key roles. Thus, they are looking to their ERP system and related supply chain technologies for answers.
Lisa Anderson was quoted in SelectHub on what will be important in ERP circles in the year ahead. Read about the importance of business intelligence and ERP. "Clients have realized they need to be able to slice and dice data to quickly assess changing conditions, make directionally correct decisions rapidly to keep demand and supply aligned and get a quick [...]
Manufacturers utilize less than 20% of the full functionality of their ERP systems. But the key question is, why does it matter? In today’s inflationary and supply chain disrupted business environment, manufacturers need to automate and digitize to ‘do more with less’ and thrive during these volatile times. One important way to achieve this goal is to further leverage your ERP system where it will make a difference.
During times of volatility it is of paramount importance to stay in tune with your customers. Otherwise, you could set and execute strategies that are a waste of limited time, money, and resources as conditions evolve. We are seeing a great reset occur. Baby boomer owners of closely-held companies are selling.
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.
If there is one thing in common with every client (big or small) in the current business environment which is characterized by significant volatility and uncertainty, it is the increased level of complexity of supply chains. As the old saying goes, you are only as strong as your weakest link in your supply chain!
