An enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is your information backbone, reaching into all areas of your business and value chain. That’s why replacing it can open unlimited business opportunities. The cornerstone of this effort is finding the right partner. And since your long-term business strategy will shape your selection, it’s critical that your ERP provider be part of your vision.
Read More
|
Aligning your business plans with your method of execution requires more than a peek at financial metrics. Initiatives, tasks, people, and metrics must be aligned with corporate goals. Find out how strategy management software, alone or as part of a performance management solution, can provide clear visual links between individual initiatives and broader goals, and ultimately enhance your business’s overall performance.
Read More
|
Accurate forecasting requires many different views of the business. Increasingly, the finance department must make the links between forward-looking data from core operations and explain to stakeholders how this will impact the balance sheet and cash flow statement. How can chief financial officers lead the effort to make their operational and financial planning more agile, detailed, reliable, and efficient? Learn more.
Read More
|
As management visionary and author Peter Drucker once said, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.” No statement rings truer—especially when it comes to security risk reduction. By having an accurate depiction of your network, however, you can identify real-world security threats and learn how to evaluate your organization’s ability to respond to them. Find out how, with these seven essential steps.
Read More
|
Survey data shows that companies want to improve their strategic business partnerships. Reflecting on lessons learned from past business relationships, 60 percent of respondents say that in future they’ll place more emphasis on developing personal relationships and setting expectations with business partners. Find out how these companies are creating collaborative networks that include business partners and consumers.
Read More
|
The adage “you can’t manage what you can’t measure” is true of many things in warehouse management, but perhaps nowhere more so than for the productivity of your workforce. Payroll is typically the largest single expense in the warehouse, and so many companies are using warehouse management systems (WMSs) and other technologies to do more in less time. But a labor management solution might do more for you—find out how.
Read More
|
The basic spreadsheet and accounting programs you’ve relied on ’til now won’t help your growing business eliminate decision-making bottlenecks, reduce IT costs, increase productivity, or improve the customer experience. To do all that requires an enterprise-wide, integrated software system. Learn how an integrated system can help take your business to the next level, and how to ensure you get the right system for you.
Read More
|
Today’s manufacturing supply chain is challenged with increasing quality mandates, cost reductions, and delivery improvements. Technology plays a key role in a company’s ability to build and manage an effective supply chain. Discover the next wave of innovative supply chain solutions, and find out how one manufacturer used them to reduce cost, lead times, and inventories throughout its entire supply chain.
Read More
|
All companies use some form of sales and operations planning (S&OP) to synchronize market data with production output. But most practice a planning process based on logistics rather than strategy. Taking a more strategic approach, however, the S&OP process can be designed to bring together a company’s marketing, finance, sales, and operations departments to continuously monitor—and meet—customer demand.
Read More
|
Enterprises of all sizes are adopting Internet protocol (IP) telephony for cost savings and productivity gains—but high quality voice service takes more than just buying the latest equipment. Is IP telephony right for your organization and your network? Get the straight facts from an industry leader—along with a 7-step assessment and deployment checklist for a successful implementation.
Read More
|
As you evaluate systems to manage your distribution operations, you’ll want to know everything you can to make the search process better. It’s a small project to evaluate, select, and implement a warehouse management system (WMS). These tasks require diligence, time, and an understanding of your business goals. Uncover five secrets you should know before you purchase a WMS—for long-term success and competitive advantage.
Read More
|
For all but the smallest companies, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system promises big gains, by helping to grow revenue, increase productivity, improve efficiency, and manage costs. Right now, ERP for the midmarket is a hot topic. More and more midsized companies are replacing outdated ERP software or are jumping into ERP technology for the first time. Find out about what midmarket ERP buyers need to know.
Read More
|
Demand planning applications can help manufacturers establish baseline sales forecasts and perform analysis to improve resource usage. They can also help manufacturers optimize pricing capabilities and better understand their markets. Yet to get the most out of these tools, manufacturers must be willing to reorganize their planning processes—and to share the resulting insights with supply chain partners and customers.
Read More
|
To promote fast growth, small businesses often sacrifice process control for creativity. But sooner or later, unstructured creativity compounded by fast growth leads to the inability to make fact-based business decisions. Learn about four steps to developing a business strategy that can help you run your business more effectively by applying better control over your cost structure, minimizing risk, and anticipating change.
Read More
|
Talent management is just a matter of anticipating the need for human capital and then creating a plan to meet it. But many approaches to talent management fail, as they’re based on outdated forecasting models. But you can anticipate and meet demand in an uncertain environment by borrowing lessons from operations and supply chain research—and forge a new way of looking at succession planning and talent management.
Read More
|
Our global study of small and medium-sized discrete manufacturers worldwide revealed the industry is struggling with increasing complexity, global competition, rapidly changing business environments, and volatile raw materials prices. While manufacturers worldwide face similar challenges, this study clarifies how strategic initiatives and priorities vary by sector, geography, and job description.
Read More
|
For many distributors, inventory is the largest and perhaps the most important asset. Inventory ties up more money than buildings or equipment, and is often less “liquid.” It is crucial, then, that distributors develop and use a comprehensive set of tools that allows close monitoring of the performance of inventory investments. Read more about simple measurements that can help you maximize your investment in inventory.
Read More
|
What does it mean to be a world-class competitor? It means being successful in your market against any competition—regardless of size or country of origin. It means matching or exceeding any competitor on quality, lead time, cost, customer service, and innovation. It means picking your battles—competing on the terms dictated by you. But how do you get there?
Read More
|
Strategic inventory management requires a deep understanding of how the end-to-end supply chain is managed. From intelligently micro-segmenting products to creating continuous inventory process improvements, few businesses are capable of transforming their inventory into a competitive advantage. Some forward-looking leaders—backed by technology and expertise from JDA—are changing the definition of inventory optimization. Read how.
Read More
|
Decison support systems range from simple electronic filing cabinets to complex data intensive and analytically sophisticated executive information systems. This primer provides an overview with real case studies.
Read More
|