Implementations and Extending ERP

Out-of-the-box connectors

How does your ERP system treat safety stock?

How does your ERP system treat safety stock?

Is safety stock regarded as emergency spares or as a day-to-day buffer against spikes in demand? Knowing the difference and configuring your ERP properly will greatly benefit your bottom line. It is critical to understand how your ERP configurations will impact treatment of safety stock and replenishment orders/production job suggestions. Doing so ensures that unintended mistakes that cause inventory bloat and shortages can be avoided.

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What data is needed to support Demand Planning Software Implementations

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.

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Extend Microsoft 365 F&SC and AX with Smart IP&O

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.

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Recent Posts

  • Direct to the Brain of the Boss- Inventory AnalysisDirect to the Brain of the Boss – Inventory Analytics and Reporting
    In this blog, the spotlight is cast on the software that creates reports for management, the silent hero that translates the beauty of furious calculations into actionable reports. Watch as the calculations, intricately guided by planners utilizing our software, seamlessly converge into Smart Operational Analytics (SOA) reports, dividing five key areas: inventory analysis, inventory performance, inventory trending, supplier performance, and demand anomalies. […]
  • You need to team up with the algorithms for Inventory ManagementYou Need to Team up with the Algorithms
    This article is about the real power that comes from the collaboration between you and our software that happens at your fingertips. We often write about the software itself and what goes on “under the hood”. This time, the subject is how you should best team up with the software. […]
  • Rethinking forecast accuracy, A shift from accuracy to error metricsRethinking forecast accuracy: A shift from accuracy to error metrics
    Measuring the accuracy of forecasts is an undeniably important part of the demand planning process. This forecasting scorecard could be built based on one of two contrasting viewpoints for computing metrics. The error viewpoint asks, “how far was the forecast from the actual?” The accuracy viewpoint asks, “how close was the forecast to the actual?” Both are valid, but error metrics provide more information. […]
  • Using Key Performance Predictions to Plan Stocking Policies
    I can't imagine being an inventory planner in spare parts, distribution, or manufacturing and having to create safety stock levels, reorder points, and order suggestions without using key performance predictions of service levels, fill rates, and inventory costs. […]
  • Every forecasting model is good for what it is designed forEvery Forecasting Model is Good for What it is Designed for
    With so much hype around new Machine Learning (ML) and probabilistic forecasting methods, the traditional “extrapolative” or “time series” statistical forecasting methods seem to be getting the cold shoulder. However, it is worth remembering that these traditional techniques (such as single and double exponential smoothing, linear and simple moving averaging, and Winters models for seasonal items) often work quite well for higher volume data. Every method is good for what it was designed to do. Just apply each appropriately, as in don’t bring a knife to a gunfight and don’t use a jackhammer when a simple hand hammer will do. […]

    Inventory Optimization for Manufacturers, Distributors, and MRO

    • Top Differences between Inventory Planning for Finished Goods and for MRO and Spare PartsTop Differences Between Inventory Planning for Finished Goods and for MRO and Spare Parts
      In today’s competitive business landscape, companies are constantly seeking ways to improve their operational efficiency and drive increased revenue. Optimizing service parts management is an often-overlooked aspect that can have a significant financial impact. Companies can improve overall efficiency and generate significant financial returns by effectively managing spare parts inventory. This article will explore the economic implications of optimized service parts management and how investing in Inventory Optimization and Demand Planning Software can provide a competitive advantage. […]
    • Centering Act Spare Parts Timing Pricing and ReliabilityCentering Act: Spare Parts Timing, Pricing, and Reliability
      In this article, we'll walk you through the process of crafting a spare parts inventory plan that prioritizes availability metrics such as service levels and fill rates while ensuring cost efficiency. We'll focus on an approach to inventory planning called Service Level-Driven Inventory Optimization. Next, we'll discuss how to determine what parts you should include in your inventory and those that might not be necessary. Lastly, we'll explore ways to enhance your service-level-driven inventory plan consistently. […]
    • 5 Steps to Improve the Financial Impact of Spare Parts Planning5 Steps to Improve the Financial Impact of Spare Parts Planning
      In today’s competitive business landscape, companies are constantly seeking ways to improve their operational efficiency and drive increased revenue. Optimizing service parts management is an often-overlooked aspect that can have a significant financial impact. Companies can improve overall efficiency and generate significant financial returns by effectively managing spare parts inventory. This article will explore the economic implications of optimized service parts management and how investing in Inventory Optimization and Demand Planning Software can provide a competitive advantage. […]
    • Bottom Line strategies for Spare Parts Planning SoftwareBottom Line Strategies for Spare Parts Planning
      Managing spare parts presents numerous challenges, such as unexpected breakdowns, changing schedules, and inconsistent demand patterns. Traditional forecasting methods and manual approaches are ineffective in dealing with these complexities. To overcome these challenges, this blog outlines key strategies that prioritize service levels, utilize probabilistic methods to calculate reorder points, regularly adjust stocking policies, and implement a dedicated planning process to avoid excessive inventory. Explore these strategies to optimize spare parts inventory and improve operational efficiency. […]

    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.

    Smart Software partners - Epicor Software Corporation
    Smart Software partners - Oracle
    Smart Software partners - Microsoft

       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.

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    Smart Software partners - Infor
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    Smart Software partners - Oracle
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    Smart Software partners - SAP
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    Smart Software partners - Sage
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    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!


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