Ten calls. They are all starting to sound the same. Here is the storyline: “We implemented SAP APO, and we now know its limitations. We have tried SAP IBP and are not impressed. Since SAP is not investing in improving the depth of their solutions for planning, we are looking for a new solution. Can you help us select a new approach? Which of these vendors do you suggest?” They…
Today I am facilitating a share group. The dream is to build a Network of Networks. The goal is to close current gaps, to build inter-enterprise visibility, and improve interoperability between businesses. Today the gaps are large. The solutions to close the gaps are not easy. In attendance are manufacturing representatives from BASF, BerryGlobal, Corning, Covestro, Grace, Evonik, Intel, Monsanto, and Smith’s Detection. Prior attendance included Adama, Dow, J&J, Nestle, P&G, Siemens,…
This week I spoke at an SAS Global Analytics Summit on the connected supply chain. In my view, the connected supply chain is very, very different from the integrated supply chain. Here, in this blog post, I want to provoke teams to think through the differences, and really question what they are asking for. Some History In 2002 I worked for Gartner Group in the business applications practice. This was in…
Financial Reengineering is the radical redesign of business processes and organizational structure in order to achieve significant improvements in performance, such as productivity, cost reduction, cycle time, and quality. It is the basis for many recent developments in management. Sounds good? Right? Think again. The traditional supply chain leader was only focused on cost reduction. This sounds aligned with financial reengineering. Right? The correct answer is “Wrong.” Let me explain. Financial…
Cloud. Descriptive analytics. Prescriptive analytics. Machine learning. Collaborative workflow. What-if analysis. I find, as I attend conferences, that the word ‘planning’ is bandied about, but few technologists dive into the details. We have lost the ability to have a discussion on the fundamentals. It drives a supply chain planning gal like me crazy. Here I share some insights on planning. For everyone trying to navigate new technology options, this is an…
It is Saturday. This was a tough travel week on the East Coast by any measure. I’m rearranging my schedule as stranded friends cancel personal plans. As I write, a ferocious wind whips around my apartment windows reminding me that the weather always has the upper hand. My goal in this blog post is to answer a series of questions I got from the audience when I spoke at a couple of conferences…
Last week was the sixth anniversary of my founding of Supply Chain Insights. Over 1000 people wrote me congratulatory notes on LinkedIn. Most were from people who I do not know. I find this rewarding and humbling. February also marks my eighth year of blogging. The journey of creating Open Content research and blogging is a life journey that chose me. I didn’t choose it. The path is one that I…
I dialed in, took a sip of coffee, and rocked back in my seat. I asked, “How can I help you?” (This is my standard modus operandi. When not traveling, I answer nine calls on average a day.) When I asked the question, an awkward silence followed. A strained request from a marketing director for a software company ensued, “You didn’t list us in your analytics report, and we want…
Recently, I spoke on the future of supply chain management at the University of Tennessee Supply Chain Forum. At the end of the presentation, Ed Hamlin of Logility stopped me and engaged me in a conversation on a recent Logility implementation at Glen Raven. He was proud of the implementation and asked if I had heard of Glen Raven. As he talked, I smiled. I find Glen Raven to be…
This month, I traveled the globe helping companies understand the potential impact of technology innovation on the future of supply chain processes, I find the term “digital innovation” is a bit like tulip mania. How so? It is a fad sweeping across supply chain leadership teams. I am trying to help teams manage the hype and drive value. CIOs are rebranding as Digital Innovation Officers, and consultants are knocking down…
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