The latest news, analysis, trends and solutions regarding enterprise resource planning (ERP) software and systems and their impact on supply chain management. New developments in ERP software - used by organizations to streamline day-to-day business activities like accounting, procurement and project management - are transforming the way companies operate and allowing them to stay ahead of the competition in their industries. As these solutions continue to evolve, businesses are discovering new ways to increase efficiency and cut costs. Learn how companies around the world are using ERP systems for supply chain optimization. https://www.supplychainbrain.com/rss en-us The path forward is smarter architecture — fewer platforms, governed by the people who know the business best. The path forward is smarter architecture — fewer platforms, governed by the people who know the business best.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1/post/44221 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/44221-the-quiet-rearchitecting-of-manufacturings-tech-stack TECH COMPLEXITY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE NAVIGATING SYSTEMS iStock-gremlin-2257105356.jpg Image: iStock/gremlin A case study about how Blue Diamond Growers consolidated and digitized demand planning across two separate business units, to align with its ERP suite from SAP. A case study about how Blue Diamond Growers consolidated and digitized demand planning across two separate business units, to align with its ERP suite from SAP.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/44189 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/44189-watch-blue-diamond-growers-ibp-journey-with-sap-a-case-study Blue-Diamonds-Integrated-Business-Planning-Journey---A-Case-Study.png In today’s volatile markets, businesses must evolve from reactive planning to structured adaptability. Integrated business planning (IBP) provides the framework to do so — connecting strategy, finance, operations and execution so organizations can act with clarity and alignment. In today’s volatile markets, businesses must evolve from reactive planning to structured adaptability. Integrated business planning (IBP) provides the framework to do so — connecting strategy, finance, operations and execution so organizations can act with clarity and alignment. 

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/43943 Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/43943-taking-ibp-to-the-next-level TakingIBPtotheNextLevel_Thumb.jpg Volatility and disruption have become constants in today’s business environment, affecting everything from supply chains and labor availability to customer demand and financial stability. Volatility and disruption have become constants in today’s business environment, affecting everything from supply chains and labor availability to customer demand and financial stability. 

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/43942 Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/43942-managing-uncertainty-the-role-ibp-plays ManagingUncertainty_Thumb.jpg Forward-thinking enterprises are gaining a competitive edge by transforming shipping data into a real-time engine for growth. Shipium’s Orca Analytics enables leadership to bypass month-long reporting cycles, using instant, data-driven agility to maintain elite delivery standards while hitting aggressive cost targets. Forward-thinking enterprises are gaining a competitive edge by transforming shipping data into a real-time engine for growth. Shipium’s Orca Analytics enables leadership to bypass month-long reporting cycles, using instant, data-driven agility to maintain elite delivery standards while hitting aggressive cost targets.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/43636 Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/43636-introducing-orca-analytics-insights-in-minutes-not-months thumbnail_shipium.jpg The modern warehouse must adapt to volatility, support speed, and drive visibility across the supply chain. The modern warehouse must adapt to volatility, support speed, and drive visibility across the supply chain.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1/post/43586 Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/43586-how-supply-chain-orchestration-is-maximizing-the-value-of-warehouse-space WAREHOUSE INVENTORY WORKERS iStock-af_istocker-2207794178.jpg Photo: iStock/af_istocker From procurement to ports, network intelligence is reshaping how logistics teams respond to disruption. From procurement to ports, network intelligence is reshaping how logistics teams respond to disruption.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1/post/43567 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/43567-circumventing-geopolitics-how-network-intelligence-and-ai-can-answer-uncertainty NETWORK INTELLIGENCE BIG DATA iStock-Ket4up-1485703476.jpg Image: iStock/Ket4up Many businesses went down the path of homegrown AI solutions in 2025, but they learned quickly that just because a zebra has stripes, that doesn't make it a tiger. Many businesses went down the path of homegrown AI solutions in 2025, but they learned quickly that just because a zebra has stripes, that doesn't make it a tiger.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1/post/43374 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 13:55:07 -0500 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/43374-why-2026-will-be-the-year-supply-chain-leaders-stop-building-their-own-ai AGENTIC AI ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE iStock-MF3d-2226208668.jpg Image: iStock/MF3d Digital transformation is strategically redefining how businesses create value. ERP systems play a pivotal role in this process. Digital transformation is strategically redefining how businesses create value. ERP systems play a pivotal role in this process.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/43169 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/43169-are-organizations-smart-enough-to-adopt-intelligent-erp-systems THINKER SMART AI ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE iStock-Floriana-2190515873.jpg Image: iStock/Floriana Modern supply chains are powered by a vast digital ecosystem of WMS, TMS, OMS, LMS, WES, WCS, APIs and microservices. Each change in one system ripples across the others Modern supply chains are powered by a vast digital ecosystem of WMS, TMS, OMS, LMS, WES, WCS, APIs and microservices. Each change in one system ripples across the others

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/43139 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/43139-test-automation-the-next-era-of-supply-chain-readiness ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE iStock- SeventyFour -1435220822.jpg Photo: iStock.com/SeventyFour As manufacturers adjust their pricing strategies, an operational challenge has emerged: Keeping prices accurate and synchronized across core business and customer platforms. As manufacturers adjust their pricing strategies, an operational challenge has emerged: Keeping prices accurate and synchronized across core business and customer platforms.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1/post/43373 Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/43373-tariffs-are-exposing-the-weaknesses-of-manual-pricing-systems e-commerce-iStock-1471521270.jpg Photo: nndanko, iStock ERP integration creates the single source of truth vendors need to create a pricing ecosystem that adapts to customer preferences and supply chain volatility. ERP integration creates the single source of truth vendors need to create a pricing ecosystem that adapts to customer preferences and supply chain volatility.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1/post/43338 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/43338-the-future-of-pricing-is-connected-infrastructure-as-a-competitive-imperative SMB SMALL BUSINESS MANUFACTURING TARIFF iStock-monkeybusinessimages-2153060542.jpg Photo: iStock/monkeybusinessimages AI capability will move from niche expertise to baseline literacy, on par with digital and data fluency. AI capability will move from niche expertise to baseline literacy, on par with digital and data fluency. 

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1/post/43082 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/43082-ai-as-co-pilot-for-supply-chain-planners artificial-intelligence-supply-chain-data-iStock-1477430842.jpg Photo: iStock / Suphanat Khumsap Large retailers are placing automated MFCs in stores to pull inventory closer to demand, compressing cycle times. Large retailers are placing automated MFCs in stores to pull inventory closer to demand, compressing cycle times.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1/post/43069 Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/43069-from-micro-fulfillment-to-adaptive-ecosystems MICRO FULFILLMENT FULFILMENT iStock-visualspace-2208691058.jpg Photo: iStock/visualspace M&A activity is not roaring back, but it is clearly on the uptick, with buyers allocating capital to acquisitions in a discerning yet deliberate way. M&A activity is not roaring back, but it is clearly on the uptick, with buyers allocating capital to acquisitions in a discerning yet deliberate way. 

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1/post/42844 Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/42844-investor-appetite-increases-for-supply-chain-software-companies FINANCE MONEY CAPITAL iStock-welcomia-515366502.jpg Image: iStock.com/welcomia Supply chains need to integrate and collaborate with end-to-end partners and vendors in a more efficient, orchestrated, always-on model. Supply chains need to integrate and collaborate with end-to-end partners and vendors in a more efficient, orchestrated, always-on model.  

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/42772 Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/42772-coping-with-new-sources-of-supply-chain-volatility-the-more-the-merrier ROBOTICS iStock-ipopba-973143870.jpg Image: iStock/ipopba Success rests on four positive factors — incremental transformation, non-disruptive architecture, deep knowledge-worker involvement, and a core foundation built on manufacturing know-how. Success rests on four positive factors — incremental transformation, non-disruptive architecture, deep knowledge-worker involvement, and a core foundation built on manufacturing know-how.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1/post/42637 Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/42637-successful-supply-chain-ai-implementation-for-manufacturers-and-distributors artificial-intelligence-manufacturing-iStock-2152031133.jpg Photo: iStock / sankai A case study about implementing a new inventory-reduction solution, with Allan Jaenicke, vice president of strategy and operational excellence with Waters Corp., and Carrie Brown, transformation evangelist with Celonis. A case study about implementing a new inventory-reduction solution, with Allan Jaenicke, vice president of strategy and operational excellence with Waters Corp., and Carrie Brown, transformation evangelist with Celonis.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/41997 Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/41997-watch-marrying-inventory-reduction-with-erp-a-case-study 016-(540p).png Implementing a modern ERP system signals that your company is forward-thinking, invested in efficiency, and committed to creating an environment where people can do meaningful, streamlined work. Implementing a modern ERP system signals that your company is forward-thinking, invested in efficiency, and committed to creating an environment where people can do meaningful, streamlined work. 

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/42025 Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/42025-your-erp-upgrade-balancing-tech-adoption-with-human-capital-priorities DIGITIZATION ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SUPPLY CHAIN AUTOMATION iStock-cofotoisme-2166193866.jpg Photo: iStock/cofotoisme The challenge for manufacturers of complex configurable products is that configurable options and rules are defined in multiple systems. The challenge for manufacturers of complex configurable products is that configurable options and rules are defined in multiple systems. 

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1/post/41933 Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/41933-how-managing-product-configuration-data-can-enable-rapid-response-to-supply-chain-changes artificial-intelligence-port-data-iStock-1465159303.jpg Image: iStock/metamorworks Three decades after its introduction, has the ERP monster finally been tamed? Three decades after its introduction, has the ERP monster finally been tamed?

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/41660 Fri, 02 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/41660-podcast-the-evolution-of-erp-is-it-a-different-animal-today ERP-iStock-1737085508.jpg Photo: iStock / bymuratdeniz Facing challenges head-on requires time and budget, yet IT leaders are finding their wallets growing thin from rising licensing fees, vendor lock-ins, and bottlenecks on efficiency. Facing challenges head-on requires time and budget, yet IT leaders are finding their wallets growing thin from rising licensing fees, vendor lock-ins, and bottlenecks on efficiency.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1/post/41527 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/41527-how-it-can-boost-supply-chain-resilience-and-adaptability AI ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY VISIBILITY iStock-lucadp-1832360713.jpg Photo: iStock / lucadp The evolution of supply chain technology today is about rethinking the way that businesses collaborate, operate and innovate. The evolution of supply chain technology today is about rethinking the way that businesses collaborate, operate and innovate.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1/post/41232 Thu, 13 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/41232-three-supply-chain-shifts-that-are-defining-2025 DIGITIZATION ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SUPPLY CHAIN AUTOMATION iStock-cofotoisme-2166193866.jpg Photo: iStock/cofotoisme Technologies like blockchain will enable greater trust among supply chain players, and drive better planning and execution. Technologies like blockchain will enable greater trust among supply chain players, and drive better planning and execution.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/41061 Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/41061-the-clouds-are-lifting-the-future-of-supply-chain-collaboration ERP-based TMS modules cannot provide the depth and scope of insights required to manage modern logistics. ERP-based TMS modules cannot provide the depth and scope of insights required to manage modern logistics. 

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/41004 Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/41004-how-to-get-the-transportation-visibility-you-need The current labor shortage in manufacturing shows no signs of going away for the foreseeable future. The current labor shortage in manufacturing shows no signs of going away for the foreseeable future.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1/post/40953 Wed, 22 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/40953-closing-manufacturings-labor-gap-through-it-consolidation AI MANUFACTURING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ROBOTICS ROBOTS iStock-Sean Anthony Eddy-1675096614.jpg Photo: iStock/Sean Anthony Eddy Only 36% of manufacturers who acknowledge the critical importance of digital transformation have successfully integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations, including in the R&D process. Only 36% of manufacturers who acknowledge the critical importance of digital transformation have successfully integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations, including in the R&D process.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1/post/40824 Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/40824-ai-as-the-logical-next-step-to-digital-transformation-in-r-and-d AI ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE R&D MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING iStock-onuma Inthapong-2084422809.jpg Photo: iStock/onuma Inthapong In 2020, Myers Industries began looking for a way to integrate its planning function across six business groups serving multiple markets and product types. In 2020, Myers Industries began looking for a way to integrate its planning function across six business groups serving multiple markets and product types. 

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/40591 Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/40591-watch-case-study-myers-industries-integrates-planning-across-multiple-business-units Case-Study---Myers-Industries-Integrates-Planning-Across-Multiple-Business-Units.jpg The operational challenges that manufacturers face today, including rising raw-material costs, energy price hikes and competition from low-cost imports, has them asking: How can we stay competitive under these conditions? The operational challenges that manufacturers face today, including rising raw-material costs, energy price hikes and competition from low-cost imports, has them asking: How can we stay competitive under these conditions? 

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1/post/40482 Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/40482-it-strategies-to-help-us-manufacturers-overcome-todays-challenges data-visualization-iStock-1479472849.jpg Photo: ArtemisDiana / iStock Adoption of artificial intelligence and other innovative technologies is still at a rudimentary stage for most companies, said speakers at DPW Amsterdam. Adoption of artificial intelligence and other innovative technologies is still at a rudimentary stage for most companies, said speakers at DPW Amsterdam.

]]> http://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/40467 Thu, 10 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/40467-automation-of-procurement-functions-could-make-a-better-world KRIS TIMMERMANS ACCENTURE AT DPW 2024 AMSTERDAM ATKINSON.jpg The growth strategy of most companies is increasing the complexity of supply chains, said Kris Timmermans of Accenture at the DPW 2024 conference in Amsterdam, Oct. 9. (Photo: Helen Atkinson)