The maker of wireless infrastructure opted to outsource its manufacturing to Asia. In the process, it was confronted with a host of problems related to a lack of visibility and poor communications with the chosen partner. It was time to automate the process, and get everybody on the same page.

A manufacturer of timekeeping technology learns all the efficiency tools in the world aren't enough without more precise demand planning and forecasting.

Since their inception, ERP systems have demonstrated their value in connecting business functions by bringing together data and making it accessible within an organization. However, with the globalization of supply chains and the increased need for collaboration, the ERP systems that once promised to be the "do-all" solution are proving insufficient when it comes to aligning business functions outside of the four walls of an organization. Sales and operations planning (S&OP) is one of those functions.