The Ledger

Why You Need a “Last-Mile” Data Management Solution

“When it comes to operationalizing customer lifecycle processes supported by enterprise software, many organizations struggle to meet the unique needs of different business units. A centralized, one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t cut it, and individual groups increasingly need to augment core system data to meet specific customer needs.”

When this happens, users typically resort to spreadsheets. But spreadsheet-based processes are far from scalable. They’re insecure, inconsistent, and ill-suited for complex data structures. They take data outside of the core system and make reporting difficult if not impossible.

The solution: fully integrated, end-to-end visibility software.

Read More at The Digitalist by SAP >

Redefining the Profitability Recipe For Food And Beverage Companies

Many food and beverage companies focus on customer relationships because they generate more sales, but they don’t take the next step of looking at what profits are generated by that customer. These companies often focus on gross profit, but the problem with gross profit is that cost of goods sold often includes fixed expenses -which don’t change incrementally with sales. Because of the distortion caused by fixed expenses, companies often make poor profitability decisions using a gross profit percentage. Therefore, utilizing contribution margin is the preferable method in analyzing profitability of a customer, product or distribution channel. Analyzing the contribution margin of each customer or product is essential to overall profitability.

Read More at Forbes Magazine >

The Spooky Truth – How Digital Supply Chains Prepare for Halloween

“Halloween 2018 is upon us, and here in the US – where Halloween is the world’s most commercial – supply chains have long ago swung into gear. Retailers’ anticipation of another strong year is sky-high.”

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Americans are spending more than 9 billion dollars to partake in Halloween festivities this year. While that is a lot of spending, it’s not a record. 2018 comes in slightly lower than 2017, which measured at $9.1 billion. Still, it’s very close – which is what supply chain managers like. Predictability is good. Close attention to industry trends year over year can help you prepare. Preparation, however, only goes so far. The reality is faster, more frequent shifts in demand and increasingly complex global supply chains that resist agility. Responsiveness has never been more important.

Read More at The Digitalist by SAP >

The Right Technology Can Enable Agility in Your Organization

Data analytics and agility are the top two trends impacting CFO’s longer-term business strategy. Across the board, studies are showing that the role of finance leaders has evolved considerably over the past five years alone. Even as they are asked to do more with less, finance leaders must demonstrate great agility in finding new ways to manage their workload, while still offering data-driven insight that helps grow the business. In this landscape of increased responsibility and changing priorities, success is dependent on accurate, real-time data that is easily accessible, and business process excellence embedded in technology that enables leadership to change direction as quickly as possible.

Read More at CFO Magazine >