The driver for sales and operations planning software is known to manufacturing planners everywhere: sales demand must be profitably supported by production capacity. The concept seems obvious—balancing production capability with product demand—but it's actually not easy to achieve without sales and operations planning software integrated into a performance management process. Instead of relying on ineffective systems and thousands of proliferating, disconnected spreadsheets, leading manufacturing enterprises are investing in performance management software that eliminates the silo syndrome—each department in a corporation acting as an island. For sales and operations planning software that encourages a coordinated and collaborative process company-wide, these organizations are turning to IBM.
Cognos Has the Blueprint for Sales and Operations Planning Software
Thousands of manufacturing companies globally have learned that there's no substitute for IBM sales and operations planning software. With nine of the top ten high-tech firms and all of the top ten auto makers using its state-of-the-art performance management technology, IBM recognized that their clients had a need for further guidance, and the blueprint concept was born: software solutions designed to address specific problems in the manufacturing industry. IBM expertise, combined with a Web-based, high-participation enterprise planning system and superior business intelligence capabilities, provides a quick-to-market sales and operations planning software solution to allow manufacturers to reconcile demand with supply.
Cognos for Integrated, Web-based Sales and Operations Planning Solution
Cognos understands that sales and operations planning software is needed by many major manufacturers still trapped in the silo syndrome, which manifests itself in failure to meet customer demand on time, increased costs incurred in meeting unanticipated demand, excess inventory, and missed opportunities due to scarce resources. To combat the syndrome, IBM has created performance blueprints for our performance management solutions. The S&OP blueprint is a robust sales and operations planning model that provides a single, combined solution, ensuring that all departments are aligned with each other and with overall corporate goals. For effectively planning sales and operations across the corporation, the blueprint's advanced, bi-directional calculation engine graphically presents workflow with individual sales, master planner, plant manager, and financial views—each designed for the operations of one group, but all providing the same accurate, real-time data for analysis: product sales, new product introduction costs, inventory levels, machine and labor capacity, transportation and logistics information. With sales and operations planning software incorporated into a total performance management system, IBM helps manufacturers to achieve peak profitability and sustainable competitive advantage.
Learn more about IBM solutions for sales and operations planning software here.
