From Siloed Data to Strategic Insights: A Unified Data Approach Breaks Down Barriers for Planning, Inventory, and Operations.
DATA ANALYTICS
INTRODUCTION
A leading steel manufacturer faced challenges in optimizing its national network due to fragmented data and inefficient reporting. This hampered their ability to accurately plan demand, manage inventory, and optimize production across the network.
CHALLENGE
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Streamlined Data Flow: Data from various sources (forecasting, production planning, inventory) from the nationwide network needed to be integrated into a central data warehouse.
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Enhanced Reporting: Comprehensive reports for different stages of the Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) process were required.
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Agile Development: A scalable approach was necessary to deliver tools quickly and prioritize functionalities based on evolving needs.
SOLUTION
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Data Warehouse Development: We built a central SIOP data warehouse to capture and combine data from disparate sources.
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Tool Building & Reporting: Our team designed and deployed custom tools for:
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Demand Planning: Tools like Forecast Pro and MNOP were integrated with the data warehouse for accurate demand forecasting at the national level.
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Fulfill Demand: Existing production planning and inventory management tools were further optimized.
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SIOP (Re)Engineering: Financial metrics were incorporated into the planning process enabling insightful decision making at the national level rather than solely the plant or divisional level.
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Comprehensive Reporting: Reports were created for each stage of the SIOP process, replacing legacy reports and supporting quick decision-making.
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Agile Development Methodology: Working with a dedicated team of 5-8 experts, we adopted a time-boxed, iterative approach for tool development. This ensured rapid delivery and prioritized the most critical functionalities first.
RESULTS
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Data-driven Decision Making: Integrated data across various planning systems provided a holistic view of the national network, enabling smarter decisions.
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Improved Planning Accuracy: Enhanced demand forecasting and inventory management led to better production planning and reduced costs.
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Streamlined SIOP Process: Customized reports and tools facilitated a more efficient SIOP process, improving communication and collaboration across divisions.
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Continuous Improvement: Embracing the agile development methodology facilitated ongoing enhancements and adjustments in response to evolving requirements