E2open Inc., a provider of cloud-based software for collaborative planning and execution across global trading networks, has entered into a strategic alliance with KPMG LLP, the U.S.-based audit, tax and advisory firm.
Sana International Inc., an export-management company, has joined with J. Canavati & Co., LLC, an agent for international logistics and trading firms, to develop new international markets for U.S. exports.
Despite talk of the importance of collaboration in shaping demand, many companies have yet to achieve that ambitious goal, says Scott Roy, collaboration planning manager with Wells Enterprises Inc.
Time to shed old ideas about demand planning, and embrace the concepts of demand sensing and shaping, says Charlie Chase, chief industry consultant for demand solutions with SAS Institute Inc.
What is forecast value-add, and how can it be applied to organizations in a time of volatile and unpredictable demand? Eric Wilson, director of demand planning and S&OP with Tempur Sealy International, has some answers.
"Plan for every part" is a key concept that's helping companies do a better job of forecasting. Aaron Simms, vice president of global customer service operations with Molex, is joined by Jonathon Karelse, partner with NorthFind Partners, to discuss how Molex applies the fundamentals of PFEP to its demand-planning function.
"If you're driven by demand, you're probably being driven crazy." Rich Sherman, principal essentialist with Trissential LLC, explains that disturbing statement.
Analyst Insight: Sherman's Law of Forecast Accuracy states that forecast accuracy improves in direct correlation to its distance from usefulness. It's time to stop being driven crazy by demand variability. Don't be driven by demand; sense, shape and respond to demand. Your company can better predict and respond to demand variability through integrating forecasting techniques with demand planning techniques; in a word, collaboration! - Rich Sherman, Principal Essentialist, Trissential
Oracle Corp. has introduced Oracle Global Trade Intelligence, a trade-analytics module designed to help companies make better use of global trade data.