
The Impact of Forecast Variability on Supply Chain Performance
It is generally accepted that supply chains will be vastly different in the years to come. Many emerging technologies and advanced analytics have failed to address the issues of demand variability resulting in the bullwhip effect within the supply chain. The traditional approach of safety stock or inventory buffers are being challenged with an ever-increasing focus on supply chain costs.

Minimizing Forecast Variation, a Key to Supply Chain Success
A critical question that Supply Chain Professionals should be asking is, how accurate is my forecast? The follow-up question should be, how do I measure it, and to what degree do my suppliers trust it? Your forecast signal to your supply chain is the critical piece of transparency that enables a trusted partnership, allows your suppliers to execute consistently,

Drive Collaborative Supply Chain Performance with Technology
Global manufacturing enterprises handle a vastly complex production process and supply chain operations. They face an increasingly complex climate of risk through global sourcing, sustainability regulations, geopolitical uncertainties, natural disasters, and IP security concerns. The lack of visibility in the end-to-end supply chain, including Tier II & Tier III suppliers, amplifies these risks. A different approach to manage the

Raising supply chain performance levels to stand the test of time
The goal of a sustainable supply chain is to minimize risks, reduce variability, and establish robust supplier partnerships. Creating opportunities to develop deeper connections with suppliers, increasing cross-organizational collaboration, and increasing alignment of priorities are aimed at lifting the performance of the complete supply chain network. Businesses expect their tier-I suppliers to comply with established performance standards and assume

How to determine if you need a Manufacturing Execution System
How do you know you need a Manufacturing Execution System and how do you choose the right one? Many companies today are struggling with how to best support their systemic needs in the manufacturing process. Most already have an ERP system, like SAP, to support their financial needs. These companies also use that ERP system to support the manufacturing

How a Common Operational Picture (COP) unlocks hidden business value
Omnipresent means you’re always in the know… If friends asked you watch their two-year-old, you probably wouldn’t be too worried about keeping an eye on the child. On the other hand, if someone asked you to watch 20 two-year-olds, you might feel a bit more apprehensive (I certainly would!). But every day we in the manufacturing industry face a similar

Blockchain: Key Takeaways from Consensus 2019
C5MI and YASH Technologies are constantly seeking to harness the latest technologies to drive business value for our clients. That’s why we attended Blockchain Week 2019 in New York. The flagship event, Consensus, attracted blockchain aficionados from around the world to exchange knowledge and align their visions for the future of blockchain technology. The caliber of individuals at Consensus seems

What is the Live Factory and how does it fit with Industry 4.0?
When Steve Jobs introduced the Apple iPhone in 2007, he predicted we wouldn’t be able to live without it in the future. He was right. Every day, we have instant access to the data we need to run our lives: calendars, notifications, up-to-the-minute news, weather and sports scores, texting, shopping (including order status and delivery details), financial transactions, even the