Achieving Inventory Service Levels in 2020 – can we just start again?

by Adam Cavanagh | Aug 20, 2020 | Resources

Nobody said this year was going to be easy, but who would have forecast we’d be in this situation 6 months ago? Although COVID-19 first hit the news cycle in December, there was no mention of UK lockdown until at least early March. In fact, rather like Michael Fish...

Avoiding Killer Impacts on Stock and Service Levels During Recovery

by Adam Cavanagh | Aug 7, 2020 | Resources

Current market volatility and turbulent demand patterns call for some ‘padding’ in your inventory in order to satisfy unexpected spikes in demand or issues with supply. A fine balance needs to be struck though – too much excess stock ties up your working...

The Trouble with Excel: Part 2 – Where Spreadsheets Come Really Unstuck

by Adam Cavanagh | Jul 28, 2020 | Resources

We’ve previously addressed some of the fundamental issues with employing an Excel-based system. The weaknesses of these models is currently being brought into particularly sharp relief by the volatility of demand levels and changing consumer behaviour. Here, we’re...

The Trouble with Excel: Part 1 – Why Spreadsheets Aren’t Ideal

by Adam Cavanagh | Jul 24, 2020 | Resources

Demand planning and inventory management processes exist to help avoid: Unnecessarily high levels of inventory (overstocks) Costly inventory write-offs Excessive use of premium transportation services Missed commitments and poor service levels ERP systems track stock...

How Are Lasting Shifts in Consumer Behaviour Going to Affect You?

by Adam Cavanagh | Jul 17, 2020 | Resources

Things have changed in the first half of 2020 and there will undoubtedly be lasting impacts.  Consumer attitudes and behaviours have changed – some caused by necessity, others an acceleration of existing trends. A report by global professional services firm Alvarez...