With consumer markets more volatile and unpredictable than ever before, companies need to make up for a lack of forecast accuracy with supply chains that can rapidly respond to changing demand, says Chris Vosse, business systems analyst with Teradyne.
Avaya, a major player in the telecommunications manufacturing sector, is reaping the results of an extensive transformation initiative. Benji Green, director of global sales operations, outlines the successes that the company has achieved – and the direction it intends to take next.
The sales and operations planning process brings great value to an organization, but companies need to take a fresh approach in order to ensure more efficient planning cycles, says Kathyleen Beveridge, director of sales operations with Qualcomm.
In Stanley Kubrick's Cold War black comedy "Dr. Strangelove," the Soviets have developed a devastating "Doomsday Device," to be triggered by a nuclear attack on the U.S.S.R. It's supposed to act as a deterrent, but has been kept a secret. Asks an exasperated American president of the Russian ambassador: "Why didn't you tell the world?" To which the ambassador replies: "The Premier loves surprises."
The maker of wireless infrastructure opted to outsource its manufacturing to Asia. In the process, it was confronted with a host of problems related to a lack of visibility and poor communications with the chosen partner. It was time to automate the process, and get everybody on the same page.
Sue Montgomery, senior business analyst with March Networks, talks about the challenges her company faces in gaining full visibility of supply and demand, and in dealing with increasing supply-chain volatility.