Articles Tagged with ''supply chain IT''

Clarity, Complex Event Processing Combine to Create High-Definition Supply Chain Solution

March 24, 2014

Analyst Insight: Visibility continues to be cited as a critical must-have to manage supply chains. Globalization and growing awareness of the risks induced by outsourcing has exacerbated the need to understand complex events. Yet most companies can only peer into the mist. Large blind sides exist across the chain. Fortunately, solutions are evolving to eliminate these blind sides, providing more clarity and the tools to manage multiparty coordination and seize upside opportunities. – Ann Grackin, CEO, ChainLink Research

The Continuous Pursuit of the Best View

March 24, 2014

SupplyChainBrain

Analyst Insight: As supply chain complexity increases, together with an accelerating pace of business, supply chain visibility becomes critical. Some companies boast of immediate access to any information they need within their four walls; but this is simply no longer a competitive capability. In the quest for faster go-to-market and time-to-customer, real-time – or near real-time – continuous access and visibility is necessary not only within the four walls but across the extended supply chain. This remains an elusive goal for many companies. – Robert Eastman, Senior Analyst, Technology Evaluation Centers

Cincom Systems Issues ERP for Manufacturers

March 21, 2014

Cincom Systems Inc.

Cincom Systems Inc. has launched the Cincom Business Suite, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) application that is an advanced version of Microsoft Dynamics AX for manufacturers.

Retail Not Using Big Data to Its Fullest Potential, Study Finds

March 21, 2014

1010data Inc.

While retailers are facing challenges in delivering the reporting functionality that business users need to enable data-driven decision-making, they are optimistic about Big Data's ability to provide breakthroughs in analysis capabilities across a number of retail processes, says a study by 1010data Inc. In fact, almost all surveyed executives (96 percent) agreed that Big Data initiatives are important in helping retailers stay competitive. They said Big Data insights are most beneficial for merchandising (53 percent) and marketing (48 percent), followed by store operations (42 percent), e-commerce (42 percent), supply chain (27 percent), finance (23 percent), and loss prevention (21 percent).

Vendors Strive to Make Software Collaborative, Workflow-capable, Easy to Use

March 19, 2014

SupplyChainBrain

Analyst Insight: Consumers now demand that their software solutions be flexible, configurable and are able to accommodate business changes without much business impact. Enterprise software vendors have been forced to shift their dated SOA and legacy-based architecture to more adaptable and configuration-friendly solutions that allow consumers to adjust to changing business practices and processes. – Dylan Persaud, Managing Director, Eval-Source

Same-Day Fulfillment: The Value of Speed to Retail

March 12, 2014

SupplyChainBrain

Analyst Insight: Next-day delivery is the new normal. And fulfillment windows are compressing even further as companies like Amazon continue to raise customer expectations. But companies wrestle with what level of service makes sense, and how to justify investments. It's not about making every process in the DC faster. It's a delicate balance of revenue gains and improved customer service against investment and operating costs. - Helgi Thor Leja, Industrial & Electrical Industry Leader, Fortna Inc.

Short-Term Cost Reduction Higher Priority Than Long-Term Growth in 2014, Most Chief Procurement Heads Say

March 11, 2014

Consero Group

Fifty-seven percent of surveyed chief procurement officers (CPOs) said short-term cost reduction is a higher priority than long-term growth in 2014, according to a new survey by Consero Group, which specializes in creating high-level, invitation-only events for senior executives. The results were reported as part of the 2014 Procurement & Strategic Sourcing Data Survey, compiled by Consero Group.

Critical Elements for Revamping Your Network

March 10, 2014

SupplyChainBrain

Analyst Insight: Supply chain complexity and turmoil is on the rise due to growing global markets, increasing customer expectations, rising costs and more intense competitive pressures. Progressive companies understand that supply chain performance has a significant impact on the bottom line and shareholder value, and they must reinvent their supply chain networks on a regular basis in order to remain competitive. However, the traditional way of designing supply chain networks with a focus on cost optimization is giving way to more progressive thinking. - John Spain, Executive Vice President, Tompkins International

An Optimistic Skeptic's View of How to Plan a Network

March 10, 2014

SupplyChainBrain

Analyst Insight: Network planning suffers from an abundance of inappropriate technology, coupled with far too little pragmatic, common sense. Everyone is familiar with the optimization tools that are routinely applied; all are based on long-term shipment forecasts by SKU, by zip code or even finer measurement. Now wait a minute! We can't even forecast next month's demand; how in the world can we forecast demand detail five years in the future? The skills and skepticism of the millennials just may have the solution. - Robert Sabath, Principal Essentialist SCM, Trissential

Why Optimize Inventory? Because That's Where the Money Is!

March 10, 2014

SupplyChainBrain

Analyst Insight: When asked why he robbed banks, Slick Willy answered, "Because that's where the money is!" Where's the money in your company? Capital for new projects is a real challenge, with an appropriation process that is complex, political and arduous, commanding the attention and scrutiny of the executive committee. Yet, planners and schedulers armed with custom spreadsheets routinely make million-dollar working capital decisions every day! - Rich Sherman, Principal Essentialist, Trissential