The Ledger
Curated content foranalytical business leaders
Data Simulation Can Save Your Planning
September 3, 2018
Often times, FP&A leaders do not incorporate large events or seasonal events in their supply or maintenance planning. When unexpected things complicate the planning, companies should have an alternative scenario ready to prevent any upheaval. When it comes to warehouse management, you simply need to know what comes in and what goes out. Once you know that, you can start analyzing data and gradually optimize the process. Data by itself is not very valuable, because it is not information and you don’t always know what to do with it. With integrated business planning you go from gathering data, via analyzing it, to an actionable process.
Read More at The Digitalist by SAP >
The Capital Strain of The Supply Chain
August 30, 2018
“Despite all the advances in supply chain knowledge, capabilities, technology, and resources, supply chains are actually putting more financial strain on the enterprise and increasing capital requirements for corporations with days inventory outstanding (DIO) globally deteriorating 8% since 1987.” The supply chain is getting more complex. Due to digitalization there are more supply chain capabilities than at any other time in history; and improvements in the supply chain generate real tangible value, yet few are prioritizing.
Read More at The Digitalist by SAP >
FP&A Needs a Beacon to See Through Volatility
August 29, 2018
In today’s continuously changing market, anything can happen at any time. To manage short-term volatility, FP&A practitioners need to follow the core attributes of their company. While volatility can disrupt plans and create panic, the most effective ways to respond is to have a set of guiding principles to organize your thoughts and reactions. Without this, teams can be adrift among the sea of potential responses, chasing different ends and losing focus. Market changes can easily put a wrench in any plan at any time, so it is important to understand how to navigate through the resulting volatility before it happens.
Data: Too Much of a Good Thing?
August 28, 2018
As hard as it is to believe, there was a time in manufacturing when data was difficult to come by. Fast forward to today and manufacturing data is available to anyone and everyone. Compared to a few decades ago, the cost of technology is dramatically less expensive today. As a result, data collection is faster, more automated, and cheaper and access to data is unlimited. Now, companies are drowning in data. While collecting tons of data may seem like a good idea, there are consequences to be considered before making that fateful decision. The key to success with data lies within the technology used to maintain and analyze it.
