If the term supply chain sustainability causes you to break out in hives, you’re not alone. With the number of challenges facing the supply chain (shortages, demand volatility, increased transportation costs, inflation), sustainability may not be at the top of your priority list. Additionally, you may not have the capital or resources needed to make […]

You can’t scan the headlines without coming across an article or advertisement about sustainability, but there is precious little information about how supply chain planning software supports green initiatives. I think it’s time we started spreading the good news: when you harness demand and inventory planning to slash unnecessary expenses and improve service to customers, […]

Excess inventory – it’s taking up your warehouse space, tying up working capital, and limiting your planning team’s range of motion. It’s time to Marie Kondo your supply chain by eliminating excess inventory and learning how to avoid it in the first place. Let’s talk about: What Excess Inventory Is What Causes Excess Inventory The […]

My eight-year-old self counted down the days to October 1 – the day my mother finally let me bedeck her spotless house with cobwebs and window clings of ghosts and goblins. It never occurred to me then that someone had to decide how many pumpkins to stock in my little town, or how many tubs […]

Automation is at the center of modern manufacturing businesses, with companies exploring the possibilities of artificial intelligence in improving workflows and profitability. AI technology is continually revolutionizing how equipment and humans operate on the manufacturing shop floor as well as improving the behind-the-scenes supply chain planning operations. How Does AI Work? AI combines different technologies […]

Your digital and brick-and-mortar sales channels aren’t operating in separate vacuums.  In fact, according to Harvard Business Review, 73% of shoppers prefer shopping via multiple channels.   In a world where customer expectations are higher (some food delivery services actually put the groceries right into your fridge), and where customers select retailers based on products being […]

Vertical integration is like getting bangs. Some people can really pull them off. Some people can’t. In this article, we’ll break down what vertical integration is, its benefits and disadvantages, its application in supply chain, and the factors to consider when deciding whether it’s the correct strategy for your company. Here’s what we’ll cover: What […]

The 2022 Gartner Supply Chain Symposium is back to its pre-pandemic glory, if the crowds and session lineup were any indication. Coming out of the breakouts felt a little like exiting a nightclub at closing time, and the healthy keynote session attendance and lively expo hall felt almost like old times. Sure, COVID still made […]

The wonderful world of retail. As 2021’s holiday shopping statistics proved, pandemic or not, consumers are willing to spend. (My credit card statement will also attest to this fact). And while the year ahead may hold some challenges – try not to flinch too hard at the word “inflation” – it’s also full of opportunities. […]

In a bold move which bore resemblance to the fighting spirit of the retail industry as a whole these past two years, the National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show 2022 went ahead as planned in New York City despite rising COVID cases and reduced attendance. Sessions from providers and retailers throughout the event conveyed a […]

    Digital Skills, Diversity and Inclusion, Responsible and Ethical AI, Sustainability   Boston and Milan, 15 December 2021 – ToolsGroup, a global leader in supply chain planning and optimization software, is proud to announce that it has joined the Microsoft Partner Pledge, an initiative with the aim of promoting a sustainable environmental future. As […]