In this Supply Chain Byte, Lisa Anderson explains why sales forecasting must start with customers. By talking directly with customers, reviewing their forecasts, evaluating quotes, watching trends and incorporating demand plans into their SIOP process, manufacturers can plan to support growth and reliably meet customer expectations.
For companies to be profitable, demand and supply must be closely aligned. When they are not, inefficiencies, excess inventory, missed shipments and margin erosion follow. In this Supply Chain Byte, Lisa Anderson explains why aligning demand and supply is key to an efficient supply chain—and why the most effective way to achieve it is through a disciplined SIOP process.
As we close in on year-end, successful manufacturers are focused on executing proactive plans. Learn about the strategies the best companies are using to accelerate the pace and separate from the pack. The ability to scale, provide customer value and gain EBITDA will drive success in the New Year.
The most successful companies are better utilizing ERP to automate processes, enhance customer value and better prioritize resources to support growth and scalability. Every company can better utilize their ERP system to drive bottom line results. Thus, we review top ways to better optimize ERP including a case study.
Taking your supplier / customer relationships to the next level of partnership is integral to supporting profitable growth with exceptional customer service and cash flow (ie. inventory turns) levels. Vendor managed inventory (VMI) can be integral to maximizing revenue/ service, profitability, and working capital.
As companies are concerned about declining backlogs, they are searching for solutions to keep top talent and stop the bleeding. Executives are using SIOP to maximize margins while preparing to scale up successfully for a manufacturing resurgence.
"SIOP" stands for Sales, Inventory, Operations Planning (SIOP). Depending on the industry or organization, you may also hear it referred to as “S&OP” or Sales and Operations Planning. Sometimes, it is even referred to as “IBP” or Integrated Business Planning. Typically, they mean the same thing. The most important words to emphasize are planning and alignment.
Artificial intelligence is not only integral to manufacturing, distribution, mining, and forging, but it will also power productivity and enhanced customer value across every company in the future. Thus, it is an imperative to pay attention to current uses of AI and to think strategically about AI applications to drive productivity, profitability and performance.
As companies experience slowing backlogs, high interest rates, and inflationary spikes in costs over the last few years, revving up sales and keeping margins intact has become of paramount importance.
Sales forecasting, also known as demand planning, is integral to achieving profitable growth. To ensure superior service and operational performance, visibility into customer and operational requirements is a must.
