I.B.I.S. Fosters Supply Chain Collaboration

Modern supply chain management theory emphasizes collaboration – working together with partners for the benefit of the entire supply chain. This makes good business sense. Since the supply chain is intended to operate as a unified team aimed at providing customer value and profits for all participants, it requires that those participants collaborate.

In a practical sense, collaboration involves sharing information and joint decision-making, or at least coordination, on activities to be carried out by multiple parties. It has become a common practice to make point-of-sale data available up through the supply chain to enable more accurate forecasting and distribution planning at the source (manufacturer) and even make that data available to the factory’s suppliers to enhance their planning and support of the factory schedules.

Another common form of collaboration is working together on forecasts. The initial forecast is developed by one of the partners, let’s say the manufacturer, perhaps using data collected by the distributor or retailer. The initial forecast is passed to the retailer, who suggests changes that support planned promotional activities. The manufacturer may suggest changes to the promotion schedule to accommodate more efficient production or distribution.

The end result is a forecast that is a better fit for both production and sales. The retailer is assured of a better inventory plan to support promotions and the supplier is not surprised by unexpected demand driven by promotional activities.

To learn more about I.B.I.S., read case studies, white papers, and view product demos, visit the I.B.I.S. Manufacturing Newsroom.

The Brown Smith Wallace 2015-16 Distribution and Manufacturing Software Guides are currently available for download. Please contact snelson@bswllc.com for more information about these latest editions.

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