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.
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.
As companies reconfigure supply chains and expand domestic manufacturing capabilities, it is an ideal opportunity to embrace technology and automation to help metal fabricators and machinists offset increased costs associated with tariffs.
The U.S. unveiled its first AI Action Plan with the "Winning the AI Race" All-In Summit. The AI Action Plan focuses on a few core elements to ensure the U.S. leads the world with artificial intelligence.
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.
Lisa Anderson shares expert views on AI in supply chain planning, forecasting, SIOP, and real-time inventory visibility in a new publication from Intelligent Enterprise Leaders Alliance: 'AI & Analytics in Supply Chain'.
