Laying the Basic Foundation of DDSN
When companies adopt a demand-driven philosophy, they usually focus on forecasting and shaping customer demand. But even the best supply plan in the world won't deliver profits if you can't execute on the plant floor. What used to be considered excellent manufacturing performance is no longer acceptable in today's volatile markets, and many systems aren't dynamic enough to support lean agile environments. To keep pace with the competition, you need to ensure predictable execution to schedule and nimbly respond when the unexpected happens.
On June 10, 2010, during a CGT Web seminar, Bob Parker, group vice president, Manufacturing for IDC Manufacturing Insights, joined forces with Sharon Ward, senior director, Product Management for Aspen Technology Inc., to offer insights about predictable manufacturing for demand-driven strategies. Here are some event highlights:
--Parker discussed trends in manufacturing, starting with the global plant floor and ending with some essential guidance. One overall industry trend that Parker is seeing is that companies are transforming business models to better meet the needs of increasingly demanding customers. On the supply chain side, manufacturing companies fundamentally rethinking their supply chain structures, evolving from a fixed cost-driven supply network to a variable cost-driven value network. "Fulfillment excellence is key for consumer goods and other process manufacturers to realize profitable growth opportunities," said Parker. IDC Manufacturing Insights recommends taking an integrated view of process capabilities; operating an independent, but complete software platform is best -- look for process coverage, integration and industry fidelity; and bring the IT organization together with operations to optimize investment.
--Ward closed out the event by offering the AspenTech perspective, gained by working with customers on some of the predictable manufacturing challenges. "Our focus is on process optimization -- making the most of the resources that our customers have to maximize their margins or to return on capital expenditure in every step," said Ward. AspenTech helps to do this by designing the plant, operating the plant and managing the supply chain.
To listen to this event in its entirety, click here.