In fact, up until the last few years, this service has traditionally been enjoyed free of charge for the majority of online shoppers. However, due to an increased desire to reduce the cost impact on a retailer’s revenue, many retailers are now charging for returns. For example, since the pandemic began, several fast fashion retailers have taken up the practice.
Advanced Planning, APS, FCS, S&OP
Among the most popular software planning technologies is Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS). This is a type of software solution that sets out to ensure production capacity and the materials required for manufacture are optimally sourced and allocated to satisfy demand. Other related tools include Finite Capacity Scheduling. This approach sets out to understanding how much production capacity is possible within a specified timeframe. The aim is to manage workflow at an even and efficient pace throughout the production process. Finite scheduling tools differ from infinite capacity scheduling tools in that the latter are in the main more simple and unable to account for system issues/constraints that happen in real time.
How retailers can navigate the returns dilemma in 2024 and embrace sustainability with advanced route planning
Jan 30, 2024
Blue Yonder launches interoperable solutions to unlock performance and build supply chain resilience
Jan 16, 2024
Blue Yonder, the supply chain solutions provider, has released its largest product update in the history of the company, launching what it describes as the first set of interoperable solutions across the entire supply chain – from planning to warehouse, transportation, and commerce – delivered on the company’s Luminate Cognitive Platform.
Improving your demand and fulfilment processes
Jan 02, 2024
Manufacturing & Logistics IT spoke with leading representatives from the analyst and vendor communities to discuss some of the most important key talking points and areas of innovation taking place within demand forecasting and planning technology.
With a more fragmented and volatile playing field becoming the norm, companies need to be able to make better more accurate decisions to manage anticipated and actual demand as well as execute and fulfil orders.
The Vital Role of Technology in Resource Management
Dec 22, 2023
By Tiffany Adams, freelance writer.
You've surely heard that we're living in an era of rapid technological transformation. In every sector and industry, businesses are scrambling to keep up with innovations and technological developments. One area where technology has brought a significant impact is resource management. In this article, you'll learn how technology shapes resource management practices, why it matters, and why you should care. Keep reading to discover the fascinating intersection of technology and resource management.
Bridging the Gap: How Sales & Operations Execution (S&OE) enhances Integrated Business Planning (IBP) to manage short-term uncertainties
Dec 20, 2023
By Stephen Dombroski, Director, Consumer Markets, QAD.
In today's dynamic business landscape, companies are continually striving to strike a balance between long-term strategic planning and short-term operational execution.
Greenplan joins the global route planning elite in just two years
Nov 09, 2023
Another success for Greenplan: the EPG (Ehrhardt Partner Group) route planning solution has been included in the 2023 Gartner Market Guide for Vehicle Routing and Scheduling after just two years on the market. This milestone places Greenplan at the forefront of global route planning and execution systems.
Logility acquires AI forecasting company Garvis
Sep 11, 2023
Logility, Inc., the prescriptive supply chain planning solutions provider, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Garvis, a visionary SaaS startup that combines large language models (ChatGPT) with AI-native demand forecasting.
More growth for EPG and Greenplan as DANX Denmark seeks to implement ‘overlapping’ route planning solution in Denmark operations
Aug 10, 2023
The new partnership between supply chain software provider EPG and route planning solutions provider Greenplan has already reached a significant milestone, with the news that time-critical logistics specialist DANX is rolling out Greenplan in its Denmark operations.
The dynamics of sustainable supply chain planning
Jul 12, 2023
Supply chain planning has huge potential to reduce the environmental impact of production and transportation, and supply chain solutions play a pivotal role in making this happen. Carlijn Goedhart, Sustainability Lead at DELMIA take a closer look at the dynamics of sustainable supply chain planning and the impact it can have on the world.
The love-hate relationship between financial planning and operational planning
May 04, 2023
By Stephen Dombroski, Director of Food and Beverage Markets, QAD.
For many business organizations, internal departments working independently of one another is the norm. This norm creates siloed day-to-day functions and rigid disconnects in processes. This is especially true when it comes to sales and operations planning (S&OP).
Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS).
Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) refers to a manufacturing management process by which raw materials and production capacity are optimally allocated to meet demand. In manufacturing, the purpose of scheduling is to minimize the production time and costs by improving the efficiency of the operation. Scheduling is an important tool for manufacturing as it can have a major impact on the productivity of a process.
APS is especially well-suited to environments where simpler planning methods cannot adequately address complex trade-offs between competing priorities. Traditional planning and scheduling systems utilise a stepwise procedure to allocate material and production capacity. This approach is simple but cumbersome, and does not readily adapt to changes in demand, resource capacity or material availability. Materials and capacity are planned separately, and many systems do not consider limited material availability or capacity constraints. Thus, this approach often results in plans that cannot be executed. Production scheduling tools greatly outperform older manual scheduling methods.
These provide the production scheduler with powerful graphical interfaces which can be used to visually optimize real-time work-loads in various stages of production, and pattern recognition allows the software to automatically create scheduling opportunities which might not be apparent without this view into the data. Companies use backward and forward scheduling to allocate plant and machinery resources, plan human resources, plan production processes and purchase materials. Forward scheduling is planning the tasks from the date resources become available to determine the shipping date or the due date.
Backward scheduling is planning the tasks from the due date or required-by date to determine the start date and/or any changes in capacity required. Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) provides an updated forecast that leads to a sales plan, production plan, inventory plan, customer lead time (backlog) plan, new product development plan, strategic initiative plan and resulting financial plan. Variations in frequency of the plan depend on the type of manufacturing industry. Short product life cycles and high demand volatility require a tighter S&OP planning than steadily consumed products.
A properly implemented S&OP process routinely reviews customer demand and supply resources and “re-plans” quantitatively across an agreed rolling horizon. The re-planning process focuses on changes from the previously agreed sales and operations plan. While it helps the management team to understand how the company achieved its current level of performance, its primary focus is on future actions and anticipated results.
