Last year was one of unexpected change — in the systems and tools companies used to maintain operations, how they worked together and with customers, and how they viewed their industries. In addition to these, the pandemic also forced another change: how companies — and supply chain teams in particular — understand and plan for future demand.

Gone are the days where sales and operations planning (S&OP) processes could rely on basic figures and forecasts for demand planning. Today, companies and their supply chains must remain more flexible than ever. To achieve that, a new approach to S&OP is needed.

In this ebook, Dave Nelson, principal at value chain optimization firm River Rock Advisors (RRA), presents this approach: the use of customer relationship management (CRM) processes and tools to pilot a more precision-based, in-depth use of data to more accurately forecast demand while pushing that data into intelligence platforms to give leaders greater insight into the various segments that make up your customer base.

In addition to exploring this concept, Nelson also provides recommendations for ensuring alignment between supply chain and other departments and teams involved in the process — providing a process in which organizations can pilot the approach, evaluate its viability for the business, and expand it to more segments and even external partners.

Please CLICK HERE to download the white paper.