Big Ideas in Supply Chain

Take S&OP to the next level, with Solventure CEO Bram Desmet

Episode Summary

S&OP is a crucial and essential process in supply chains. Unfortunately, it often fails to deliver on its promises due to latencies in data, outdated technology, and siloed business practices. Bram Desmet, CEO of Solventure, and Matt Spooner, Industry Thought Leader at Kinaxis, discuss why S&OP is more important than ever for modern supply chains and why updating how it’s implemented can balance service, cost, and cash.

Episode Notes

S&OP is a crucial and essential process within the supply chain – but only if companies are willing to upgrade their existing capabilities so it can deliver on its promises. In our latest Big Ideas in Supply Chain video podcast, Bram Desmet, CEO of Solventure, and Matt Spooner, Industry Thought Leader at Kinaxis, discuss what organizations can do to improve their decision-making processes by using new technology, working collaboratively, and balancing service, cost, and cash. 

• Bram states that a typical S&OP process can take four weeks or more – by the time this information makes it to the decision-making process, the data is already too old to use. To remedy this, Bram says using new technology like AI, as opposed to outdated applications like Excel, and removing siloed work can make a significant difference. [3:42]
• Bram says that S&OP is more crucial and essential than ever when it comes to balancing service, cash, and cost – but for it to be successful, companies need to upgrade their material maturity level. Bram states that the ideal standard level that all companies should operate under is maturity level 5, which means organizations are connected to key customers, key suppliers, and can make value-based decisions. [9:13]
• S&OP is continuously updating, which is why Bram believes the process shouldn’t be limited to monthly meetings. S&OP should be reviewed using real-time data so latencies can be removed, and forecasting can be conducted with robust analysis. [18:25]

To learn more about the speakers and follow them, see below:

Bram Desmet, CEO of Solventure

• LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bramdesmet/
• Twitter handle: @bram_desmet
• Personal website:  www.bramdesmet.com

Matt Spooner, Industry Thought Leader at Kinaxis

• LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spoonermatthew/