What data is needed to support Demand Planning Software Implementations
We recently met with the IT team at one of our customers to discuss data requirements and installation of our API based integration that would pull data from their on-premises installation of their ERP system. The IT manager and analyst both expressed significant concern about providing this data and seriously questioned why it needed to be provided at all.
Elephants and Kangaroos ERP vs. Best of Breed Demand Planning
The largest ERP companies can’t develop high quality best-of-breed like solutions. They never had to, so they never evolved to innovate outside their core focus. However, as ERP systems have become commoditized, gaps in their functionality have become impossible to ignore.
Implementing Demand Planning and Inventory Optimization Software with the Right Data
Data verification and validation are essential to the success of the implementation of software that performs statistical analysis of data, like Smart IP&O. This article describes the issue and serves as a practical guide to doing the job right, especially for the user of the new application.
Extend Microsoft 365 F&SC and AX with Smart IP&O
Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&SC and AX can manage replenishment by suggesting what to order and when via reorder point-based inventory policies. A challenge that customers face is that efforts to maintain these levels are very detailed oriented and that the ERP system requires that the user manually specify these reorder points and/or forecasts. In this article, we will review the inventory ordering functionality in AX / D365 F&SC, explain its limitations, and summarize how to reduce inventory, minimize and controlle stockouts.
Extend Epicor Prophet 21 with Smart IP&O’s Forecasting & Dynamic Reorder Point Planning
Smart Inventory Planning & Optimization (Smart IP&O) can help with inventory ordering functionality in Epicor P21, reduce inventory, minimize stockouts and restore your organization’s trust by providing robust predictive analytics, consensus-based forecasting, and what-if scenario planning.
Extend Microsoft 365 BC and NAV with Smart IP&O
Microsoft 365 BC and NAV can manage replenishment by suggesting what to order and when via reorder point-based inventory policies. The problem is that the ERP system requires that the user manually specify these reorder points and/or forecasts. In this article, we will review the inventory ordering functionality in Microsoft BC & NAV, explain its limitations, and summarize how to reduce inventory, and minimize stockouts by providing the robust predictive functionality that is missing in Dynamics 365.
Recent Posts
Prepare your spare parts planning for unexpected shocksIn today's unpredictable business climate, we do have to worry about supply chain disruptions, long lead times, rising interest rates, and volatile demand. With all these challenges, it's never been more vital for organizations to accurately forecast parts usage, stocking levels, and to optimize replenishment policies such as reorder points, safety stocks, and order quantities. In this blog, we'll explore how companies can leverage innovative solutions like inventory optimization and parts forecasting software that utilize machine learning algorithms, probabilistic forecasting, and analytics to stay ahead of the curve and protect their supply chains from unexpected shocks. […]
Uncover data facts and improve inventory performanceThe best inventory planning processes rely on statistical analysis to uncover relevant facts about the data. When you have the facts and add your business knowledge, you can make more informed stocking decisions that will generate significant returns. You'll also set proper expectations with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring there are fewer unwelcome surprises. […]
Electric Utilities’ Problems with Spare PartsEvery organization that runs equipment needs spare parts. All of them must cope with issues that are generic no matter what their business. Some of the problems, however, are industry specific. This post discusses one universal problem that manifested in a nuclear plant and one that is especially acute for any electric utility. […]
Correlation vs Causation: Is This Relevant to Your Job?Outside of work, you may have heard the famous dictum “Correlation is not causation.” It may sound like a piece of theoretical fluff that, though involved in a recent Noble Prize in economics, isn’t relevant to your work as a demand planner. Is so, you may be only partially correct. […]
Smart Software Customer, Arizona Public Service to Present at USMA 2023Smart Software CEO and APS Inventory & Logistics Manager to present USMA 2023 Session on APS supply chain transformation project and the role of inventory optimization technology in their new process. […]
Inventory Optimization for Manufacturers, Distributors, and MRO
- Prepare your spare parts planning for unexpected shocksIn today's unpredictable business climate, we do have to worry about supply chain disruptions, long lead times, rising interest rates, and volatile demand. With all these challenges, it's never been more vital for organizations to accurately forecast parts usage, stocking levels, and to optimize replenishment policies such as reorder points, safety stocks, and order quantities. In this blog, we'll explore how companies can leverage innovative solutions like inventory optimization and parts forecasting software that utilize machine learning algorithms, probabilistic forecasting, and analytics to stay ahead of the curve and protect their supply chains from unexpected shocks. […]
- Electric Utilities’ Problems with Spare PartsEvery organization that runs equipment needs spare parts. All of them must cope with issues that are generic no matter what their business. Some of the problems, however, are industry specific. This post discusses one universal problem that manifested in a nuclear plant and one that is especially acute for any electric utility. […]
How to Forecast Spare Parts with Low UsageWhat do you do when you are forecasting an intermittently demanded item, such as a spare part, with an average demand of less than one unit per month? Most of the time, the demand is zero, but the part is significant in a business sense; it can’t be ignored and must be forecasted to be sure you have adequate stock. […]
Spare Parts, Replacement Parts, Rotables, and Aftermarket PartsThose new to the parts planning game are often confused by the many variations in the names of parts. This blog points out distinctions that do or do not have operational significance for someone managing a fleet of spare parts and how those differences impact inventory planning. […]
Smart Software has developed out-of-the-box connectors with Epicor ERP, Prophet 21, NetSuite, Dynamics AX, NAV, and 365 Business Central.
Our ERP connectors are continually kept up-to-date to ensure compatibility with the latest version of your ERP system. ERP connectors work with cloud and on-premise versions of your ERP system and enable you to import/export with little to no IT assistance. Click on the logos below to learn more and to register for a demo that highlights the integration.
File Based ERP Integrations
Smart Software customers have integrated our platform with virtually every ERP solution on the market. including SAP, Oracle ERP, JD Edwards, PeopleSoft, Accumatica, Hexagon, Infor, Great Plains, Sage X3, Epicor Vantage and more using a simple import/export process supported by Smart Software’s data model and data processing engine. The data model and processing engine are designed to import and export data in a variety of file formats. Transaction data such as shipments, sales orders, supplier receipts are readily available in your ERP system. Simply export it from your data source to a file and Smart IP&O will take care of the rest. If you have disparate ERP and database applications, no problem. All imported data is stored in our common data model so you can analyze trends, stocking policies, and inventory metrics in one place.
Contact Us Today for More Information
If you request a demo, one of our specialists will show you how Smart can help, using your own inventory data!