demand planning

Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) Best Practice – Says Who?

Joeseph StackhouseAugust 17, 2009

Who defines and says what are best practices? The person speaking? The loudest voice? The person with the most expensive shoes? The person with the most impressive degree? Maybe it is the highest paid consultant? We hired a consulting group and ha... Read More...

Forecasting and Planning0 Comments 0

“One Number Planning” & S&OP

Scott RoyAugust 3, 2009

I was asked recently to clarify my previous objections to a “One Number” planning world! In the late 90’s and early 2000’s there was a movement underfoot to drive the entire organization from a single operating number. In theory that would be a goo... Read More...

Forecasting and Planning11 Comments 0

GOOD STUFF in Chicago, The Business Case for S&OP

Tom WallaceJuly 23, 2009

No I’m not talking about the Chicago Cubs or deep dish pizza. Rather, I’m talking about our third Best of the Best S&OP Conference, co-sponsored by APICS and IBF last month. It was quite a success with a very nice turnout, particularly when on... Read More...

Forecasting and Planning0 Comments 0

“The Perfect Pull Supply Chain: Why The Elimination of Forecasting Decreases Inventory and Increases Availability”

Dr. Chaman L. JainJuly 17, 2009

I recently came across this white paper with the above title, written by a company called AGENTRICS, which I found very strange and contradictory. Here are four reasons why: 1. The paper claims since we cannot forecast (meaning 100% accurately),... Read More...

Forecasting and Planning4 Comments 0

Are you Ready for the Unexpected? Demand and Supply Chain Professionals Play a Critical Role in Managing Risk

Curtis BrewerJuly 7, 2009

It’s a warm June morning in Omaha, the phone rings and you answer. The man on the other end of the line explains that there has been an explosion at your production site in North Carolina, thoughts race through your mind, first to the safety of yo... Read More...

Forecasting and Planning1 Comment 0

Michael Jackson and Supply Chain Forecasting & Planning

Anish JainJune 30, 2009

We all know a strike, natural disaster, large scale power failure/ black out, major retail customer dropping you as a supplier, major competitor dropping out of the market, recall of a product due to contamination and more can have a major impact o... Read More...

Forecasting and Planning6 Comments 0

Are We All Moving From a “Push” to a “Pull” Forecasting World like Nestle?

Scott RoyJune 23, 2009

I always look forward to the IBF’s annual Consumer Products & Retail Forecasting Forum. It gives me a chance to validate the direction we are taking our own forecasting and demand planning processes. There were many different themes that came ... Read More...

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News Flash! Long Lead Times, Safety Stock, Backorders Etc. All Cost Money

Tom WallaceJune 17, 2009

What goes around comes around. Many years ago, when I was young, people in the Northeast and Midwest were upset because they were losing jobs to the South. Let’s call that Phase 1. Later, people all over the U.S. were upset because so many jobs we... Read More...

Forecasting and Planning4 Comments 0

Getting Top Management Support for S&OP Does Not Mean Running to the Top

John GallucciJune 10, 2009

If you listen to the buzz about S&OP at an IBF Conference, you will hear a repeated theme. This seemingly endless refrain is recited by Planners, Vice Presidents, and everyone in-between. You all know the words, so say it with me, "If you wa... Read More...

Forecasting and Planning7 Comments 0

Welcome to IBF's Blog!

Anish JainJune 9, 2009

Folks, it is with great pleasure to welcome all of you to the IBF’s Blog! I don’t know why it has taken us so long to get here with the amount of content, knowledge and experience we have to share in Demand Planning, Forecasting, and the Supply Chai... Read More...

Forecasting and Planning2 Comments 0