Abstract: As we witness the inexorable increase in demand for Free and open source software (FOSS), many organizations have yet to glean the FOSS fundamentals. This series highlights fundamentals for the enterprise as manifested in global customer demand trends.

Abstract: Product lifecycle management (PLM) is set to transition to an on-demand model. On-demand models are quicker and cheaper to deploy, but software providers must gain user enterprises' trust before on-demand PLM really takes off.

Abstract: The classic bull-whip effect means that the further a supplier is removed from the end consumer, the worse are the fluctuations in demand that they see. This has led many to recommend an n-tier approach to demand management, where everyone gets visibility to the end-customer demand at the same time. In practice, very few companies have been able to actually realize this vision. There are some practical approaches that a few leading suppliers deep in the supply chain are have taken to successfully mitigate the bull-whip effect.

Abstract: If you're in the supply chain business, right up there with Newton's law of gravity stands Murphy's other law stipulating that demand and supply, if left to their own tendencies, will always tend to diverge and get you in trouble. Welcome to the world of predictive demand and supply planning whose mission is to predict imbalances as far in advance as possible, in order to provide ample time and opportunity to design and implement corrective sales and operations solutions. So how do we design a system for identifying potential issues and expressing them via a commonly understood key process indicator (KPI) where the cause and effect of our actions can be readily measured? Read this article by the former director of Dell's operations and demand management.

Abstract: Why choose on-demand when there are so many integrated software solutions on the market? Because on-demand packages provide a number of benefits that can help IT focus on innovation and creating true business value, rather than dealing with network headaches. But along with the benefits there are a number of challenges. Read more about these challenges and how you can manage your on-demand implementation project.

Abstract: Even when business revenues decline, the demand for IT services often continues to increase. To meet those challenges, both businesses and IT partners must come to terms with the demand and delivery needs of each group. Strong communication between the user and the IT provider is essential. Strategize your initiatives and transform your business: find out key recommendations to manage IT supply and demand relationships.

Abstract: The challenges that face the manufacturing industry today are also opportunities. Manufacturing is being revolutionized in its processes, routines, and ways of doing business through the growing emergence of order driven production methods. This shift towards demand driven manufacturing is emerging in tandem with the larger currents caused by globalization. This cross industry brief focuses on the manufacturing industry from the standpoint of a demand driven IT solution and is aimed at manufacturing and distribution businesses. It describes some major market trends and issues, provides an overview of IBS supply chain solution, and offers details on how the IBS solution for demand driven manufacturing can address current needs of the industry.

Abstract: Many manufacturing companies have adopted or are considering the adoption of a demand-driven strategy. However, if you want to be demand-driven, you aren’t going to achieve it without adopting many of the tools, techniques, and principles that commonly reside within all of them. Some philosophies require a more intense re-engineering of processes and products than others. This paper addresses the various components and strategies for becoming a demand-driven organization, and how Cincom’s solutions can help you achieve that goal.

Abstract: Demand-driven supply chains focus on pulling demand and maximizing effectiveness and profitability while traditional supply chains push products and create efficiencies. This difference is the key to improving all supply chain processes and generating significant cost savings and growth.

Abstract: As manufacturing becomes a global process, advances in demand management software have given rise to attribute-based demand management software. In the process manufacturing environment, this software can help manufacturers deal with complex manufacturing processes and increase overall customer satisfaction.

Abstract: The high price and complexity of traditional, installed, on-premise enterprise software has left small and medium businesses (SMB) unable to obtain true integrated customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. On-demand, software as a service is changing all that. The lower costs and the short implementation period for an on-demand customer relationship management solutions make it lucrative for smaller businesses.

Abstract: Successful demand-driven fulfillment manufacturing, include optimal channel and customer relationships, informed on-line buying and selling, order fulfillment, and integrated operational infrastructures. Manufacturers need to overcome challenges to demand-driven fulfillment by implementing a system that supports flexibility, openness, visibility, planning, e-commerce, collaboration, and integration where the ultimate objective is to minimize waste and optimize resources.

Abstract: Manufacturers of capital equipment and highly engineered products face design, production, and delivery obstacles. The most challenging of these activities is scheduling projects and resource demand in a concurrent engineering environment. Learn about a resource scheduling tool that can allow you to put demand on materials, work-centers, and labor as soon as it is known—so you can deliver projects on time and on budget.

Abstract: It’s all of these, plus more. Read this new white paper, Any Color Including Black: A New Guide to Demand-Driven Manufacturing, to find out how successful manufacturers—enterprises of all sizes, in industries as varied as consumer goods, industrial, life sciences, high-tech, and process manufacturing—-are using principles of demand-driven manufacturing to successfully compete again low-cost competitors.

Abstract: Supply chain planning involves functions such as demand forecasting and planning, distribution inventory planning, and plant capacity planning and scheduling. The right mix of strategy, education, and systems can have a very high impact on a manufacturer’s overall operations—and ultimately its bottom line. Understand how supply chain functions such as demand and inventory planning can positively impact your company.

Abstract: Peerless Pump has been designing, engineering, and manufacturing pumps for more than 80 years. The company was basing component stock levels on historical data, as it did not have the ability to accurately forecast customer demand. But with forecasting and demand planning software that increased forecast accuracy, the company has nearly doubled its sales over the past four years, while keeping inventory levels constant.

Abstract: Software as a Service (SaaS) is a model of software deployment whereby a provider licenses an application to customers for use as a service on demand. SaaS software vendors may host the application on their own web servers or download the application to the consumer device, disabling it after use or after the on-demand contract expires. The on-demand function may be handled internally to share licenses within a firm or by a third-party application service provider (ASP) sharing licenses between firms (source: Wikipedia).

Abstract: Traditionally, the consumer packaged goods supply has been driven to market mostly by upstream manufacturers. But progressive companies are realizing the enduring value of being driven by the market, and they are starting to use demand as a guiding light.