Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• What makes inventory turns a popular measurement?

  Inventory turns can help you determine whether company performance costs and margin are keeping up with sales.  Continue Reading

• How can lean manufacturing concepts be used with MRP and ERP?

  Sometimes, in technology, as in life, opposites come together in a surprising way. Such is the case for lean's pull technique and ERP's emphasis on push.  Continue Reading

• Why aren't more companies using RFID for inventory tracking?

  Radio frequency identification tags have a number of benefits over the bar code, but the latter continues to be the go-to for manufacturers. Here's a look at the reasons for that.  Continue Reading

• Why is demand-driven MRP becoming more popular?

  In today's markets, material requirements planning can fall short. Demand-driven MRP is the innovative approach that marries the best of "push" and "pull" in manufacturing.  Continue Reading

• How does eKanban differ from traditional Kanban?

  With its basis in physical cues, the traditional Kanban system has been limited by lag time in passing along information. Electronic Kanban is a different story.  Continue Reading

• What are the basics of supply chain finance?

  Old models of financing are giving way to supply chain finance, a technology-enabled approach that helps suppliers get paid early and buyers get more time to pay.  Continue Reading

• How do I choose an effective supply chain analytics system?

  Supply chain analytics promises rich insight into operations and better decision making. Here are a host of considerations when thinking about what you need.  Continue Reading

• How can the Internet of Things benefit process manufacturing?

  IoT technologies hold promise for sectors that produce chemicals, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and other process goods. Here's a glimpse of how the technology is being used today.  Continue Reading

• How do I choose transportation management system software?

  If you're trying to determine the TMS that's right for your company, start with four considerations. They will help guide your software requirements.  Continue Reading

• Can MRP be successful without 98 percent inventory accuracy?

  Effective MRP requires prioritizing inventory accuracy and true troubleshooting over a reliance on safety stock and other compensating factors.  Continue Reading

• What is perpetual inventory and why does it matter?

  To ensure an accurate inventory balance, don't overlook the practice of perpetual inventory. Here's what you need to know.  Continue Reading

• How do we account for WIP inventory?

  It may require a manual process, but WIP inventory can – and should -- be tracked to ensure accountability.  Continue Reading

• What is your best advice for integrating software applications?

  Ian Charles, CFO of Host Analytics, advises to invest time in scoping and consider future needs when integrating software applications.  Continue Reading

• What features are best in a global transportation management system?

  Global functionality is available in the TMS market, but you should look beyond marketing materials and scrutinize your options carefully.  Continue Reading

• Is a change in logistics needed to support an omnichannel strategy?

  Having a game plan with alternatives and costs already known will allow you to influence a customer's omnichannel strategy to your advantage.  Continue Reading

• Is my warehouse system ready for an omnichannel strategy?

  An expert outlines key factors to consider when readying your warehouse system for an omnichannel strategy.  Continue Reading

• Is it possible to outsource transportation management systems?

  An expert explores two ways to outsource transportation management systems.  Continue Reading

• How can distribution requirements planning help inventory management?

  An expert explains how distribution requirements planning can help companies gain better control over their inventory and prevent shortages.  Continue Reading

• Which technologies do companies need to support product as a service?

  While companies may be considering the product as a service trend, most will need to make some profound changes to their technology infrastructure -- and their perspective on product lifecycle management -- to make the new model work.  Continue Reading

• What kind of warranty management software do manufacturers need?

  In addition to simplifying administrative tasks, warranty management software can help companies improve customer relationships. An expert outlines the technology and best practices needed for a better warranty management process.  Continue Reading

• How does wearable tech fit manufacturing needs?

  What are the most feasible, near-term applications of wearables in manufacturing and the supply chain?  Continue Reading

• When does it make sense to deploy a demand signal repository?

  A demand signal repository can aggregate sales data to help business users make better short-term demand planning decisions. But is a DSR right for your needs?  Continue Reading

• Why should companies consider ERP consolidation?

  Many companies use a mix of disconnected ERP systems and poorly integrated third-party applications that block efficiency and increase costs. An expert explains how to start consolidating ERP.  Continue Reading

• Which demand planning tools are right for your company?

  Should companies use the built-in planning capabilities of an ERP system, or select from best-of-breed demand planning tools? An expert debunks some myths about the pros and cons of each, and outlines best practices for choosing the right approach.  Continue Reading

• What's the true definition of demand management?

  The demand management market can be difficult to navigate because of the over-abundance of terms for technology and processes. What do companies really need to know about the various categories of demand management?  Continue Reading

• How can manufacturers improve field service operations?

  Equipment providers and distributors are shifting their focus to improving field service. What are some best practices and technologies that can boost customer engagement and increase sales?  Continue Reading

• What are the most promising innovations in ERP technology?

  An expert outlines recent innovations in ERP technology and their practical applications for manufacturers.  Continue Reading

• How have the capabilities and cost of RFID tags evolved?

  In the past, the cost of RFID tags has limited where RFID could be used. Today, lower prices and more advanced capabilities are starting to enable wider, more effective use.  Continue Reading

• What is item-level RFID, and how can companies benefit from it?

  In this expert response, learn how RFID is evolving and what companies can do to make item-level RFID a success.  Continue Reading

• Best practices to ensure an ERP upgrade benefits the business

  The CIO of Ferrari shares the best practices that made the Italian automaker's Infor LN ERP upgrade a winner for business and IT.  Continue Reading

• Five steps to close the books faster

  Faster closes are a perennial goal for finance departments. These five tips can streamline your process.  Continue Reading

• Top treasury management software features for buyers

  Hyoun Park lists critical features finance managers should look for when evaluating treasury management software.  Continue Reading

• Four steps to consolidate disparate core financial systems

  Many large companies have more than one core financial system, which can inhibit data visibility. Learn how and when to consolidate.  Continue Reading

• Prepare for the worst with supply chain risk management

  In this expert response, learn how to build a disaster-proof supply chain risk management plan.  Continue Reading

• Dissecting an e-procurement software system

  In this expert response, find out what makes an e-procurement system tick.  Continue Reading

• Develop supply chain integration through mergers and acquisitions

  In this expert answer, learn how to achieve successful supply chain integration.  Continue Reading

• Should the CFO sit at the top of the IT reporting structure?

  Approximately half of all IT departments roll up to the finance department. Discover how to determine if a hierarchy shakeup is in order.  Continue Reading

• Excel tip: Replacing nested IF formulas with VLOOKUP

  Just because Excel users can nest up to 32 functions in a single formula doesn't mean it's the best idea. Learn how to simplify nested IF formulas.  Continue Reading

• Five critical factors that define ROI of IT projects

  While cost is certainly an important factor in defining IT projects' ROI, Rob Livingstone recommends that companies also evaluate risk and value.  Continue Reading

• Excel tip: Find missing fractional cents

  Microsoft Excel consultant Bill Jelen, aka MrExcel, demonstrates how an auditor can locate fractional cents hidden by the Decrease Decimal icon.  Continue Reading

• Excel tip: Use Alt+Enter to break lines of text in a single cell

  Microsoft Excel consultant Bill Jelen, aka 'MrExcel,' shows why Alt+Enter is a more precise alternative to Wrap Text.  Continue Reading

• Seven considerations before launching driver-based planning

  When getting started with driver-based planning, Rob Livingstone recommends taking an inclusive approach and defining accountability.  Continue Reading

• Excel tip: Fill Handle tricks

  Microsoft Excel consultant Bill Jelen, aka 'MrExcel,' shows how to use the Excel Fill Handle to extend series.  Continue Reading

• Excel tip: Requiring a password to open or edit an Excel workbook

  Microsoft Excel consultant Bill Jelen, aka 'MrExcel,' explains how to set a password to open or modify an Excel workbook in this Excel tip.  Continue Reading

• Clean ERP before new budgeting and forecasting software: Yes or no?

  Rob Livingstone explains how to decide whether or not to get ERP data in order before implementing new budgeting, planning and forecasting software.  Continue Reading

• Excel tip: Grouping worksheet sections

  Microsoft Excel consultant Bill Jelen, aka MrExcel, explains the value of the Grouping feature.  Continue Reading

• Excel tip: Suppress zero values on summary worksheets

  Microsoft Excel consultant Bill Jelen, aka "MrExcel," shows how to prevent zeros from displaying in a summary worksheet.  Continue Reading

• Adding tick marks in Excel

  Microsoft Excel consultant Bill Jelen, AKA MrExcel, shows readers how to add tick marks in Excel step by step.  Continue Reading

• Defining business process management vs. ERP

  In this expert response, learn how business process management differs from ERP systems.  Continue Reading

• Securing mobile business apps

  In this expert response, learn how to make mobile business apps a more secure IT choice.  Continue Reading

• Creating a year-over-year report using an Excel pivot table

  Microsoft Excel consultant Bill Jelen, AKA "MrExcel," shows how to use a pivot table feature many Excel users aren't aware of.  Continue Reading

• Excel tip: Charting the top five customers from an invoice register

  Microsoft Excel consultant Bill Jelen, aka "MrExcel," demonstrates how to generate a chart of the top five customers in an invoice register.  Continue Reading

• Finding the next largest match with the Excel MATCH function

  Microsoft Excel consultant Bill Jelen, aka MrExcel, walks readers through an exercise on using the MATCH function.  Continue Reading

• Using VLOOKUP in a range match

  Microsoft Excel consultant Bill Jelen, AKA 'MrExcel,' walks readers through an exercise on using VLOOKUP.  Continue Reading

• How should CFOs calculate the TCO of SaaS software?

  Expert Hyoun Park explains why thinking of a SaaS software investment in terms of TCO isn't the most important consideration.  Continue Reading

• How to test mobile business applications before implementation

  In this expert response, learn how to effectively test mobile business applications prior to launch.  Continue Reading

• Corporate performance management and BI: What's the difference?

  Expert Hyoun Park answers a common question that confuses many finance executives.  Continue Reading

• Identifying and developing an ERP interface

  When working with ERP and other manufacturing software systems, it's important to understand the difference between an ERP interface and ERP integration. In this expert response, learn about developing ERP interfaces.  Continue Reading

• What role does standardized work play in lean manufacturing?

  Discover how standardized work can aid in lean manufacturing efforts and learn the steps to standardizing manufacturing processes in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• How to implement Kanban and implementation success factors

  Learn how to implement Kanban and discover implementation tips. Find out what to avoid and what implementation success factors will help to deploy a Kanban system on the shop floor.  Continue Reading

• Recommended books for learning about lean manufacturing

  Discover some helpful books on lean manufacturing and discover other ways to learn lean manufacturing, including the benefits of a lean coach.  Continue Reading

• Does poor ERP training cause ERP implementation failure?

  Employee training is an important part of any ERP implementation - but when an ERP implementation project fails, how often is poor training the cause? Find out in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• Estimating your ERP implementation timeline

  Find tips for estimating your enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation timeline and learn ERP implementation stages for a successful implementation.  Continue Reading

• How do APS and ERP fit together?

  How does APS (Advanced Planning and Scheduling) functionality fit into ERP systems? Find out in this expert response.  Continue Reading