Smart Manufacturing Blog

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Plex Manufacturing Blog

2021 State of Supply Chain Planning

Plex DemandCaster March 17, 2021

As 2021 begins to take shape, leaders are looking for guidance on what to expect next. This article covers the current state of supply chain planning. ...

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The Delicate Balance of Safety Stock vs. Safety Time

Plex DemandCaster January 5, 2021

With disruption such as COVID-19 rapidly shifting consumer tastes, market volatility, and human error, the threat of both overstock and stockouts is always present. On the one hand, companies strive to have enough stock available to manage their order position and fulfill service level agreements. On the other, excess inventory can drive up costs and restrict cash flow. So what part does safety…

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How Data Accuracy in Your ERP Impacts Supply Chain Planning

Plex DemandCaster December 8, 2020

Understanding how data accuracy in your ERP impacts supply planning will support companies looking for new ways to streamline their business processes. ...

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Despite Spike in COVID-19 Cases, Global Manufacturing Production Reaches New High

Jerry Foster December 8, 2020

Although COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the world, the global manufacturing community experienced its highest jump in production levels (5% over the previous two weeks) and is now producing at a record high of 108% of pre-pandemic activity. Global manufacturing data set ...

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Contextualizing Inventory for Planning

Plex DemandCaster December 1, 2020

Contextualizing inventory for planning can help companies manage their supply chains after a few years of uncertainty. Find out more here. ...

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Global Manufacturers Close the Pandemic-Produced Production Gap

Jerry Foster November 19, 2020

Global manufacturers are now operating at 103% of pre-COVID rates of activity. This effort is steadily closing the production gap caused by the pandemic earlier this year (with this gap defined as the difference between the anticipated 2020 production volume based on historical data compared to real-time activity). As of mid-November, manufacturers are seeing a 31% cumulative production loss to…

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Manufacturers Maintain Momentum, Make Progress on Production Losses

Jerry Foster October 29, 2020

Global manufacturing data set ...

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Global Manufacturing Continues to Expand; Reaches 104% Pre-Pandemic Rates of Activity

Jerry Foster October 15, 2020

Global manufacturing data set ...

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Capacity Planning in Today's Uncertain Environment

Plex DemandCaster October 13, 2020

Simply put, "capacity planning" is the process businesses use to make decisions on how much capacity is needed to meet demand. Find out more here. ...

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Global Manufacturing Community at 102% of Pre-Pandemic Rates of Activity

Jerry Foster October 1, 2020

Global manufacturing data set ...

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