At Smart Software, we are committed to advancing inventory management and demand forecasting through our state-of-the-art software solutions. We use data, automation, and analytics to optimize stocking levels, ensuring costs are minimized while service levels are maximized.
Our desktop software, SmartForecasts (SF), has helped thousands of users forecast more accurately and generate millions in savings. In 2016, we introduced Smart Inventory Planning & Optimization (Smart IP&O), a cloud platform that uses probabilistic forecasting, machine learning, and advanced analytics. With the recent Epicor acquisition, IP&O’s AI planning capabilities now significantly extend Epicor’s supply chain suite. This enhancement not only optimizes forecasts and inventory policies but also improves end-to-end supply chain management, resulting in greater visibility, control, and insights that drive better financial outcomes.
This article provides a comprehensive comparison of IP&O’s cloud and desktop solutions, with a specific focus on their ability to meet diverse business needs and adapt to various operational environments. Our desktop solution has a proven track record of reliability and performance, delivering significant cost savings and improved forecast accuracy for mid-market enterprises and Fortune 500 companies. On the other hand, IP&O offers the essential attributes of flexibility, scalability, and accessibility that are crucial for cloud-based solutions. The insights from our team examine the strengths and weaknesses of both solutions, offering a deep understanding of each solution that will empower you to optimize inventory policies and demand forecasting in your organization.
Kate Willemain, a key member of the QA team at Epicor, highlights the diverse preferences among our users: “User feedback reveals a split in preferences: the familiarity and reliability of desktop solutions appeal to some, while the convenience and advanced features of cloud solutions attract others.” In the following comparison, our aim is to provide a detailed analysis that helps you determine the best fit for your organization’s needs in managing inventory policies and demand forecasting, considering these diverse preferences.
Cloud Solutions: Inventory Planning & Optimization (IP&O)
Cloud platforms like IP&O provide vast storage capabilities that far exceed local options, which enables larger, more complex datasets to be utilized effectively. Sree Menon, main member of the Product Development Team at Epicor, points out, “With IP&O, the storage capacity and data processing capabilities are virtually unlimited, giving businesses the power to scale without worrying about physical infrastructure limitations. Cloud services often operate on subscription models, offering flexibility and scalability to adjust services and costs as business needs change. Sree adds, “Our subscription model allows businesses to adjust their capabilities as needed, providing flexibility and control over costs.”
The provider maintains cloud solutions to ensure that users always have the latest features without personal time investment or additional costs. Sree Menon explains, “With automatic updates, our clients always have access to the newest features and security updates without any effort on their part.” IP&O uses advanced encryption and security protocols to protect data, along with robust backup and recovery systems, ensuring data integrity and availability. Sree Menon emphasizes, “We take data security seriously, with best-in-class encryption and robust backup strategies to protect client data.” A key advantage of cloud solutions is their accessibility from anywhere with an internet connection, allowing users to log in “wherever you want whenever you want,” Sree elaborates, “Users can access cloud solutions like IP&O anywhere with an internet connection, bypassing the need for complex installations. Our cloud solution is designed for quick access; a user can log in from anywhere, making it extremely convenient.”
The multi-user environment and collaboration seem to be more fluid and integrated in cloud solutions, allowing for easier feedback and adjustment processes among users, Kate Willemain details “Cloud solutions facilitate easier collaboration among users, allowing feedback and adjustments to be overlaid directly on the data, enhancing the multi-user environment. In contrast, desktop solutions are meant to be single-user desktop applications, which might not support collaborative efforts as seamlessly.” Cloud solutions are highlighted for their accessibility and ease of onboarding new users without significant IT department involvement. “Cloud solutions can ingest and utilize more complex data sets, including transactional-level data, offering more detailed control over forecasting and inventory processes compared to desktop solutions’ limitations in handling complex data integrations.” Adds Kate.
On the other hand, cloud solutions present some disadvantages, such as the dependency on internet connectivity. “While the cloud offers significant advantages, its performance is highly dependent on a stable internet connection, which can be a challenge in remote areas,” notes Doug Harvey, Director of West Coast Operations at Rose Brand. Additionally, potential cost accumulation is a concern; As Harvey adds, “While cloud solutions are cost-effective initially, costs can add up over time, especially as business needs grow and more services are required.”
Storing sensitive data offsite also raises concerns about data privacy and vulnerability to breaches despite strong security measures. Kate Willemain mentions, “Despite our strong security measures, some clients express concerns about storing sensitive data in the cloud, which is a valid consideration.”
Desktop Software for Forecasting and Inventory Optimization
“Desktop solutions like SmartForecasts function without internet connectivity, ensuring reliability regardless of network status. Doug Harvey appreciates this feature, stating, ‘The ability to operate independently of internet connectivity is a significant advantage of desktop solutions, ensuring reliability.”
Local processing typically allows desktop applications to run faster, as they depend not on internet speed. Harvey notes, “Desktop applications can offer faster processing times than cloud solutions, which is crucial for data-intensive tasks. “Additionally, data stored locally is perceived as more secure, mitigating risks associated with external breaches. Harvey adds, ‘Many users prefer desktop solutions for their enhanced control over data and perceived higher security.'”
“Desktop applications are tied to specific hardware, limiting flexibility and mobility. Kate Willemain explains, “One major limitation of desktop software is that it’s confined to the device it’s installed on, which can restrict how and where users can work.” “Requires initial installation and ongoing updates that can demand significant IT resources. Kate Willemain remarks, “Desktop software requires initial installation and regular updates, which can involve considerable IT resources and time.”
Desktop solutions often come as fixed packages, which may not be as swiftly adaptable to changing business needs. Kate Willemain notes, “Unlike cloud solutions, desktop software often comes in fixed packages that can’t be easily scaled or adapted to changing business needs. “Without regular updates, desktop software can quickly become outdated compared to continually updated cloud solutions. Kate Willemain adds, ‘The risk of obsolescence is a real concern with desktop software, as it requires regular updates to stay current, unlike cloud-based solutions that update automatically.”
This article has explored the various facets of IP&O’s cloud and desktop solutions, supported by insights from our team members to provide a thorough comparison, helping you make informed decisions about which technology suits your business needs best.
