S&OP, also known as SIOP or Integrated Business Planning, connects strategy with execution by aligning demand, supply, inventory, capacity, and resources. A strong SIOP process helps companies improve collaboration, make better strategic decisions, and successfully navigate changing business conditions.
Rapid growth creates opportunities, but manufacturers need the capacity and planning capabilities to deliver. Strong demand, capacity, production, inventory, and materials planning — supported by SIOP and what-if scenario analysis — helps companies anticipate constraints, improve customer service, and scale profitably.
SIOP aligns sales, operations, supply chain, and finance around one plan to improve revenue predictability, customer service, inventory, and profitability. This Q&A explores how manufacturers can use SIOP to anticipate capacity and resource needs, improve operational performance, and support profitable growth.
Manufacturers and distributors struggled mightily with supply chain disruptions and escalating prices in 2021. The significant risks of the global supply chain were not only exposed but aggravated as clients experienced extended lead times, stock-outs, and increased levels of demand and supply volatility. Clients are increasingly wary of their [...]
Volatility started with the pandemic and has been exacerbated by weather disruptions such as the Texas storms, labor shortages throughout the world, accidents such as the ship that got stuck in the Suez canal, and wars such as the Russia-Ukraine war. The bottom line is that demand volatility is [...]
"Our most successful clients see employees as their #1 asset," points out Lisa Anderson, president of Claremont, CA-based LMA Consulting Group, Inc. and manufacturing expert known for creating supply chain resiliency. "People don't leave companies; they leave people. Thus, successful companies prioritize people.
One issue of significant importance during the current volatile times that was also key during previous periods (aggressive growth prior to the pandemic, the downturn of the Great Recession, etc.) is the critical importance of providing a superior customer experience. It is evergreen for companies that want to grow [...]
Capacity planning is the structured process of determining whether your organization has the resources required to meet your demand plan and support your revenue growth goals. Capacity plans analyze machinery and equipment, labor and skills, facilities and space, and suppliers and supply chain partner capabilities to ensure you can [...]
We have entered a new era of with inflationary pressures. It started during the pandemic due to limited supply, but it has been spurred on with the rising oil and gas prices, commodity shortages, and rising food prices. Navigating successfully through these inflationary times will make the strong companies [...]
Lisa Anderson was recognized as a top consultant worldwide and ranked #16 on SAP’s list of Supply Chain Influencers.
