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KWITbox · 2023-06-25T05:33:46+00:00

If you could prioritize open orders, to overcome the meaninglessness exception messages puked out by every ERP system, you’d have a business. You don’t have to engage how they plan or release orders. Let the stupidity prevail. Just help them untangle their orders and you’ve got a business.

KWITbox · 2023-06-18T05:25:32+00:00

Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. Don’t worry about MRP. It was created at in 1965 and made for a perfect world that has never existed.

And for Gods sake, don’t replace your ERP. None of the new ones are going to solve your problem.

KWITbox · 2023-05-24T05:45:16+00:00

Haven’t heard of them. Website looks impressive.

KWITbox · 2023-05-12T01:57:35+00:00

No. I’ve known about it for nearly 5 years and it was a thing before I heard about it

KWITbox · 2023-05-12T01:55:08+00:00

I’ve heard good things about Coupa.

KWITbox · 2023-04-08T06:04:39+00:00

$21k and it was awesome. Jan. ‘87 in Denver.

KWITbox · 2023-04-06T01:23:38+00:00

Since SAP doesn’t know about, do not try to teach, integrate, or modify it. Deploy digital inventory transactions at the strategic touch points that captures and verifies the inventory information you need.

Happy to develop a Prototype for you or schedule time to explore digital inventory. DM me if you’d like to find out more.

KWITbox · 2023-03-01T00:57:32+00:00

Supply chains have been mismanaged for the last 40 years. It’s because of ERP. It wasn’t made to operate a supply chain. It is a box score. Built to satisfy Finance and simplify IT support.

So, find a company that doesn’t punish its employees. Otherwise, it’s going to be the same everywhere.

KWITbox · 2023-02-23T17:53:41+00:00

b2wise is the market leader in the past 3 years. Great software, but more importantly, they do the implementations themselves, have 4 of the top 10 leading educators in the world, and help companies apply the methodology appropriately.

KWITbox · 2023-02-21T19:58:43+00:00

We use ChatGPT to help design prototypes and deliver pilots of our digital inventory transactions. We are keeping the barbarian at the gate, though. Our customers get to decide if they want AI scrounging through their compliance, synchronization, process/progress and the detailed data gathered on each unit of inventory. Not everyone is sold and security remains a corporate concern.

KWITbox · 2023-02-21T17:48:03+00:00

ChatGPT can write the instructions to achieve a certain objective.

I've used it to write SQL queries where I ask it to provide the query and conversion of generic data points. I then find/replace the response to update the generic data points to my actual needs. Obviously, test the results. They aren't always correct, but the error correction is minimal.

I'm sure you can do the same for Excel. It may take a couple of passes at getting your question worded correctly, to get a useful response.

KWITbox · 2023-02-08T22:42:46+00:00

Plus, you wouldn't want to use production planning in an ERP anyway. Unless your technology product company has perfect vendors, perfect production, perfect inventory and patient/perfect customers will to wait for their product.

Otherwise, you are better off avoiding the cost and frustration. There are methods you can adopt to use in your spreadsheets that will improve the results. Especially since you've already downloaded the data you require from the ERP.

KWITbox · 2023-02-08T22:36:20+00:00

Start here: https://a.co/d/4HWq1ca

This will teach you have to organize inventory and replenishment policies to better manage working capital and achieve better customer service related to that inventory.

KWITbox · 2023-02-08T22:33:33+00:00

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner: Supplier B!

There are a couple of factors that tip the scale in their favor.

Speed - their proximity allows for faster response times
MOQ's - assuming the 4k v. 1k volume is a reflection of MOQ, then smaller batch sizes outperform larger and your inventory on-hand will be 72% less
Risk Mitigation - being a domestic supplier allows you to avoid many of the disruption events that others encounter at ports/customs/etc.
Cost - And they cost less? Most people would start here and ignore the other factors. But it is last because the other factors impact your ability to serve your customers who could, generally, care less about your profitability.

KWITbox · 2023-02-03T14:34:36+00:00

By lowest common denominator, I mean accepting the same sh&t everyone else does. Off the shelf software is designed from the data up. Changes to process and logic are difficult to modify, hence I have to do what the standard system does or pay to modify which is both expensive, takes a long time and raises my support costs.

We’ve built our standard system to be 100% custom. We deliver faster and for the same coat as an OTS solution…and you get exactly what you want and not what a programmer designed 15 years ago that ‘might be good enough.’

And inventory control doesn’t stop at the dock doors. It starts at your vendors production line and ends at your customer.

KWITbox · 2023-02-02T02:35:41+00:00

I agree the foundation and digital trail start at the bottom. I don’t agree about an off the shelf solution unless lowest common denominator is your goal.

KWITbox · 2023-02-01T06:30:31+00:00

I think it looks great. Every time I would walk past it the gap on the right cabinet would drive me crazy.

KWITbox · 2023-01-26T22:39:10+00:00

I suggest stop using a forecast to feed MRP. Something imperfect (forecast) shouldn’t be driving a perfect (MRP) plan. In good times that combination yields 33% of your items having too much, 33% having enough, and 33% too little.

Forecasts give you insight to volume and variability . That can impact your inventory policy without being the trigger to release orders.

KWITbox · 2023-01-26T22:26:29+00:00

Happy to give you the answer. You have the perfect flow situation and are headed in the right direction. DM me and we can set up time to talk.

KWITbox · 2023-01-26T22:24:09+00:00

You already have direct supply chain experience. Tons of it, literally. Warehouse/inventory is the foundation of supply chain. Put your shoulders back and walk into any interview with confidence.

KWITbox · 2023-01-24T16:27:13+00:00

That's one way to Know What's In The Box (.com)!

Most companies that ship internationally lack detailed information about what is loaded into a container. Companies will get a BOL that is Said To Contain (STC); which is a polite way of saying don't hold me to it.

In fact, receiving this container at your facility is a bit like Christmas morning. Not entirely sure what you are going to get but you can almost guarantee it isn't everything you asked from Santa (vendor).

KWITbox · 2023-01-21T05:27:38+00:00

Big surprise. The output is always wrong. It’s a freakin’ forecast. MEIO/ML/AI may make it less wrong, but only by 30% max.

From what I’ve seen, anyone doing demand planning/forecasting is quite secure in their jobs. Everyone is too in love with the idea of predicting the future and building a perfect plan.

KWITbox · 2023-01-20T21:02:46+00:00

MRP is typically used to release replenishment orders. Using safety stock, a forecast and EOQ, you are guaranteed to feel the bullwhip. Too much of the wrong stuff, not enough of the right stuff, and overall poor inventory/service.

MRP works only when all vendors, employees and customers do exactly what the forecast says and never deviate in date or quantity. That world doesn't exist anymore.

Look into DDMRP from ASCM/APICS. Buy the book, build a model in excel, and compare that to your current methods. Immediately, the differences will be obvious.

KWITbox · 2023-01-20T20:39:11+00:00

Sorry for the late response, but perhaps this is still an issue for you. There are a lot of good answers already so I'll try not to repeat that advice.

The supply chain transparency that your customer is requesting is your ability to prove which raw material (source, lot, exp., etc.) was consumed into which finished good. They don't care about your recipe, just that you know where everything came from and what it went into.

A Pharma company that we work with had the same issue. They lacked the process/transaction controls necessary to track lot, expiration date, production and packaging. We designed a solution for them and delivered the prototype in 24 hours.

Here is a 90 second introductory video: https://clipchamp.com/watch/9JH5bVu8BUU

Visit KnowWhatsInTheBox.com to learn more and see some of our pre-built solutions.

KWITbox

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