Demand and Inventory Planning Success Stories

Smart Software

Draped in Success – Inventory Planning at Rose Brand

Draped in Success – Inventory Planning at Rose Brand

Rose Brand selected demand and inventory planning software from Smart Software as the foundation for a methodical planning process. Rose Brand is North America’s largest provider of theatrical fabrics, fabrications and production supplies for the entertainment, event and display industries.

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Recent Posts

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    People involved in the supply chain are likely to have questions about various inventory terms and methods used in their jobs. This note may help by explaining these terms and showing how they relate. […]
  • artificial intelligence ai and machine learning inventory managementConfused about AI and Machine Learning?
    Are you confused about what is AI and what is machine learning? Are you unsure why knowing more will help you with your job in inventory planning? Don’t despair. You’ll be ok, and we’ll show you how some of whatever-it-is can be useful. […]
  • 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. […]
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  • Demand Planning twin brothers holding forecasting toolsSix Demand Planning Best Practices You Should Think Twice About
    Every field, including forecasting, accumulates folk wisdom that eventually starts masquerading as “best practices.” These best practices are often wise, at least in part, but they often lack context and may not be appropriate for certain customers, industries, or business situations. There is often a catch, a “Yes, but”. This note is about six usually true forecasting precepts that nevertheless do have their caveats. […]

    Inventory Optimization for Manufacturers, Distributors, and MRO

    • 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. […]
    • professional technician engineer planning spare parts in industrial manufacturing factory,Prepare your spare parts planning for unexpected shocks
      In 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. […]

    Smart IP&O, a Digital Supply Chain Platform

    Cloud Native Platform

    A single, secure, and scalable native cloud platform with multiple end user Apps that helps you predict accurately, protect against uncertainty, and plan efficiently.

    Intermittent Demand Planning

    Engineered for intermittent demand, Smart’s field proven methods succeed on even the hardest to forecast, anything but normal, unplannable items.

    Automate Supply Chain Decisions

    You’ll build automated, exception based plans that adapt and respond to frequently changing business conditions while doing away with time intensive manual planning.

    Collaborative Planning

    Share collaborative “what if” demand forecasts, inventory policies and develop an authorized consensus plan aligned to achieve business objectives.

    Probabilistic Forecasting

    Predict a range of outcomes and the probability for each possibility to accurately prescribe risk adjusted stocking policies that optimally balance service levels and cost.

    Smart ERP Integrations

    Seamlessly integrate with your system of record with an automated bi-directional data exchange that ensures alignment between planning policies and execution.

    Smart Inventory Optimization

    Reduce Excess Stock

    Optimal Inventory Levels

    Reduce excess stock
    Improve service levels
    Minimize buyer transactions
    Maximize return on assets

    Identify Stockout Risk

    Organizational Consensus

    Balance service levels
    Identify stockout risk
    Identify overstocks
    No finger-pointing

    Inventory Warehouse Connectivity

    Operational Connectivity

    Align process with strategic objectives
    Empower team to “make it so”
    Optimize as conditions change
    Pass results to ERP

    Who is Inventory Optimization for?

    Smart Inventory Optimization is for executives and business savvy planners who seek to:

    • Yield maximum returns from inventory assets.
    • Address the problem of highly variable or intermittent demand.
    • Broker the service vs. cost tradeoffs between different departments.
    • Develop a repeatable and efficient inventory planning process.
    • Empower the team to ensure operational plan is aligned with strategic plan.
    What questions can Inventory Optimization answer?
    • What is the best service level achievable with the inventory budget?
    • What service levels will yield the maximum return?
    • If lead times increased, what would it cost to maintain service?
    • If I reduce inventory, what will the impact on service be?
    • If order quantity increases, what will the impact on service and costs be?
    • What is the order quantity that balances holding and ordering costs?
    Inventory forecasting for the inventory executive

    Smart Inventory Optimization empowers you to:

    • Predict service performance and inventory costs.
    • Assess business impact of “what-if” inventory policies.
    • Align inventory policy with corporate strategy.
    • Establish an operational framework that guides the planning team.
    • Reduce inventory and improve service.

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