Demand Control is a process designed to take chaos out of near-term planning and promote actions that enable companies to profitably meet abnormal demand. The results are better performance and improved working environments.
Analyst Insight: The retail cut of the 2014 SCM World CSCO Study reaffirms that for most companies omnichannel is a major retail supply chain disruptor and that, for a few, progress has been made. Fulfillment changes have been driven by a desire for greater speed and agility. Battle lines are drawn between online and bricks-and-mortar supply chains. As omnichannel leaders look to move from walk to run, retail’s best weapon is harnessing demand data to make smart trade-offs. – Matt Davis, SVP Research at SCM World
While most manufacturers and retailers realize there is a large gap between where they are today and where they need to be to meet customers' expectations, many fail to use advanced technologies and best practices, according to a JDA survey of 255 executives across 17 countries, representing a wide range of retailers and manufacturers.
"If you're driven by demand, you're probably being driven crazy." Rich Sherman, principal essentialist with Trissential LLC, explains that disturbing statement.
North American supply chains became more complex in 2012 as the economy continued to recover. Rapid innovation, higher seasonal sales and increased reliance on promotions contributed to make forecasting more challenging. These and other findings are contained in the Terra Technology Forecasting Benchmark Study, now in its fourth year.
John Boyer Jr., president of J.E. Boyer Co. Inc., explains the basics of sales and operations planning, and details the benefits to be obtained from embracing the process within the organization.
Hard to believe, but profitability hasn't been the driving force behind sales and operations planning within most businesses - until now. Gregory Schlegel, adjunct professor of supply chain risk management at Lehigh University, explains why.
Analyst Insight: As new software and technologies gain market entry and alternative sources of information come into play for improving the process of demand planning and forecasting, it is vital that companies embrace this rampant invasion of methodologies and information with a focused, retrospective view of the basics"”to achieve a successful demand planning and forecasting strategy. A strategy that goes back to the basics can help companies ensure they apply universal and effective principles for success.
- Jorge GarcÃa, TEC Senior BI and Data Management Analyst, Technology Evaluation Centers