For manufacturers, right-sizing their supply networks is a shifting target in 2010, despite claims that the economy has entered a "new normal." Companies' immediate reactions to the recession - reducing orders and seeking concessions from suppliers - persisted through 2009. They say it's tough to plan capacity because they can't get a good view of demand out of their customers. That uncertainty has prompted even greater interest in visibility into the pipeline, a process often facilitated by sales and operations planning techniques. And some say S&OP is becoming even more important.

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