In this Supply Chain Byte, Lisa Anderson explains why companies must pay close attention to demand signals, translate demand into supply requirements and confirm whether suppliers truly have the capacity to support the plan. Knowing when materials will arrive and having a clear ETA is critical.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and digitization are fundamentally changing sustainability from a reporting exercise into an engineered outcome. AI and digital transformation can tie directly into how products are designed, how factories operate, and how supply chains are managed, not only creating customer and EBITDA value but also supporting sustainability and the triple bottom line.
Frazier Industrial partnered with LMA Consulting Group to improve visibility across customer demand, production planning, capacity, and order fulfillment. Through ERP enhancements, advanced planning tools, scheduling improvements, and SIOP-driven decision-making, the company stabilized operations, improved customer service, and created a stronger foundation for growth.
Advanced Planning Systems (APS) are no longer optional - they are becoming critical to smarter, faster and more profitable supply chain decisions. In this Supply Chain Byte, Lisa Anderson explains why manufacturers should be looking closely at APS. Recent client situations highlighted three key needs: scenario planning, constraint-based planning and end-to-end visibility & predictive insights.
Planning is becoming more complex, but smarter planning makes the difference. In this Supply Chain Byte, Lisa Anderson outlines three key planning challenges manufacturers are facing today - and three ways to address them.
You are only as strong as your weakest link in your supply chain. This concept has come to fruition as a series of chokepoints have been impacted. Smart companies are utilizing common sense and artificial intelligence enabled advanced planning systems to predict disruptions, navigate around chokepoints, and proactively prepare for success.
Heightened geopolitical and logistics risks are making it difficult for companies to successfully navigate evolving global supply chain conditions while keeping customer and EBITDA growth goals intact. According to DP World, 82% of supply chain leaders view geopolitical disruption as a major risk, yet only a quarter feel fully prepared.
As manufacturing rebounds amid continued geopolitical uncertainty, real-time supply chain visibility has become essential to operational resilience. These companies can respond quickly to changing conditions and gain insights into what’s coming down the pike so that they can provide superior customer service and grow revenue and EBITDA.
The sales order is one of the most critical signals in demand and supply management because it represents committed customer demand. It isn't a projection but an order the company must fulfill. In a well-run supply chain, the sales order becomes the anchor that aligns demand with supply decisions as it ties customer needs with planning, inventory, and operations.
Although there are plenty of issues related to the War in Iran, from a supply chain perspective, the key issue is that the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked. This supply chain chokepoint is limiting the movement of energy. We discuss take aways related to demand, supply, flow and location.
