Demand Planning

Driving Your Supply Chain

• Inventory reductions
• Reliable planning and stabilised production scheduling
• Improved resourcing

Although the main drivers behind all of today's systems are basic algorithms the overall functionality will be a major factor in meeting your requirements. Most demand planning systems will have started with a single level forecasting unit but this has now developed to multi-layered capabilities and the ability to aggregate upwards as well as bottom down allocation.

The creation of a statistical forecast on a weekly or monthly cycle using advanced modelling techniques will be the input to the Sales & Operation Planning (S&OP) Process where market intelligence such as promotional activities and event planning, sampling and competitive activities. This will be shared to derive a validated forecast.

Systems are now providing extensive S&OP functionality with forecast accuracy measurement and the ability to monitor month by month changes.

Further consideration should be given to the financial aspects and enhancements that can be utilised to produce revenue and expenditure projections.