Dr. Chockalingam

In an era of relentless market shifts, a "good guess" is no longer a viable strategy for supply chain leaders. At Valtitude, we recognize that moving from reactive firefighting to proactive planning requires more than just a software license—it requires the precise engineering and implementation of a robust digital core. As specialists in SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP), we [...]

New product forecasting is always a challenge for most organizations. FMCG and Food & Beverage companies, in particular, experience this frequently — sometimes as often as twice a year. Ironically, most planners rely on manual forecasts that are numerically entered directly into the system, typically sourced from a brand manager responsible for the category. At times, this could be [...]

Effective supply chain management demands both efficiency and precision. At Valtitude, we combine SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP) with a sophisticated segmentation algorithm to classify products and the product-customer matrix. This structured approach enhances both demand modeling and inventory strategies, helping our clients meet market demands while optimizing resources. Strategic Segmentation for Better Planning Our proprietary algorithm segments products [...]

Continuing on our discussion of Demand Consensus, I want to contrast Demand Consensus and Demand-Supply resolution. Here is our model of the monthly S&OP Cycle. S&OP Planning Cycle from week 1 thru Week 5 starts with KPIs and Statistical Demand Baseline in the first week and ends with the Executive S&OP Meeting in Week 5. In week 1, Demand [...]

As we observed in other posts on Linked-In and forums such as Medium, there is a lot of confusion on what Demand Consensus means. Some first principles: Demand Consensus is not matching Demand with Supply; in fact trying to match Demand to supply is counter to everything S&OP stands for Demand Consensus is not agreeing with the Supply Planner [...]

How do you evaluate a sudden demand spike communicated by your Sales person within lead time? This was an unforecasted surge in demand. Most companies freeze the next month or next three months from Sales Forecasting input. Sales Managers are allowed to change forecasts only outside the three month demand horizon. I am not sure if this is a [...]

Amidst a dynamic business environment, selecting the most effective planning approach can significantly impact the success of your initiatives. Two prominent methodologies - Concurrent Planning and Traditional Sequential Planning have emerged as popular choices for optimizing project execution. As decision-makers, understanding the nuances of each method is vital for making informed choices that align with your organization's goals and [...]

In the fast-paced and ever-evolving global landscape, supply chain disruptions have become an inevitable challenge for businesses across industries. Whether caused by natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, pandemics, or unexpected events, these disruptions can significantly impact supply chain operations, customer satisfaction, and your company's bottom line. As decision-makers, it is essential to implement strategies that safeguard the resilience of your [...]

In the post-pandemic World, it’s becoming increasingly important for companies to capture true demand – what the customers really wanted to buy rather than observing just what was shipped Understanding customers’ preferences and buying behavior is essential for staying competitive and meeting their needs proficiently. However, there are several major roadblocks that can prevent businesses from understanding true demand: [...]