The current surge of interest in Sales and Operations Planning – a discipline that has been around for years – is indicative of companies’ growing awareness that improving their supply chain is imperative for gaining or maintaining a competitive edge.
Businesses, of course, are at various stages along the path to effective S&OP. Some are beginning from scratch, with no formal processes or tools in place. Others have software “pieces” like demand planning and/or supply planning.
Such enabling tools are necessary for all but the simplest of businesses –necessary, but not sufficient. Tying these “pieces” together in an effective S&OP process will exponentially increase the benefit provided by the tools alone and allow your supply chain to truly become a competitive advantage.