Supply Chain Conference Session: New-Generation Supply Chain Planning

In this conference session, Infineon Technologies discussed its experiences with adopting a supply chain business-process platform. The company has replaced three different legacy order-management systems for planning and execution with new-generation supply chain solutions that encompass real-time

Speakers included Michael McGrath, CEO of i2 Technologies; Thomas Polzer, technical solution manager at Infineon Technologies; and Gaurang Pandya, i2’s director of solution strategy.

According to McGrath, companies across the board are integrating multiple applications, platforms, and databases for improved customer responsiveness. He said the “new generation” of supply chain management solutions are focused on enabling sales and revenue growth; integration across functions; process acceleration; visibility across the entire supply chain; end-to-end supply chain management; demand-driven supply chains; demand shaping; and integration of planning and execution.

“Supply chain processes that were monthly are now weekly, and those that were weekly are now daily,” said McGrath. Visibility is a key element in achieving this new level of supply chain planning, he added. “Companies have to be able to see what’s available and where it is, both at the vendor and supplier level. This type of end-to-end visibility has historically been elusive for supply chain professionals.”

McGrath also pointed out that with the integration capabilities of the new generation of supply chain planning software, such end-to-end strategies are now possible. Driven by actual customer demand, he said, supply chain strategies are also helping to shape demand, promotional programs, discounting, and other product-related activities.

“Where the first generation operated on snapshot-based batch planning,” McGrath explained, “the new generation operates on event-based incremental, planning to evaluate global impact and resolution.”