Steelwedge Software has released its latest platform for integrated business planning.

Analyst Insight: Sales and operations planning (S&OP) still remains a challenge for many organizations. In Aberdeen Group's recent report, S&OP: A Critical Process for Superior Performance, we identified that more than half of the companies (56 percent) that are not best-in-class do not yet have a formalized S&OP process in place. The question becomes "Why and what are the differences between best-in-class and all others?" The answer can be found by examining differences between them for process and organizational capabilities. - Bryan Ball, Vice President and Principal Analyst, Aberdeen Supply Chain practice

A familiar concept is extended into the logistics arena, to help Dow Chemical Co. forecast both short- and long-term capacity requirements for transportation services.

A familiar concept is extended into the logistics arena, to help Dow Chemical Co. forecast both short- and long-term capacity requirements for transportation services.

So often our discussions about supply chain center on arcane details and limited stakes. Production delayed? Get ready to pay more for expedited transportation. Lost a supplier? Might mean empty shelves at the supermarket. Life goes on.

An integrated point-of-sale IT strategy will help CPG firms gain valuable insight into consumption data that can pave the way for a positive impact in a number of important areas. They include new/improved product formulation, inventory optimization, supply chain optimization, trade promotion management and optimization, and demand/forecast optimization. Furthermore, an integrated POS strategy can create a win-win for all stakeholders involved, including the retail partners.