When it comes to spreadsheets, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em
By Staff -- Manufacturing Business Technology, 1/1/2004 7:00:00 AM
Nothing ticks off anyone who believes in enterprise systems as "the single source of truth" more than the covert proliferation of rogue spreadsheets. Their ubiquity has led others to label Microsoft Excel as the world's most popular planning tool.
In the pioneering spirit of "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em," demand planning vendor John Galt Solutions delivers its forecasting tool as an Excel add-in. Not only does this allow planners to develop the forecast in an environment separate to the enterprise system, they can do so in a format they're long familiar with—and all for a base price of $595.
"For that price, you can't go wrong," says Ric Flack, a marketing analyst with networking equipment manufacturer 3COM, Salt Lake City. "It's great for companies that are using Excel for simple smoothing and want to get into statistical forecasting. The addition of the distribution resources planning module [DRP] is a real service to companies that don't have ERP. Many people do the work in a spreadsheet and then enter the statistical output into the enterprise system."
At 3COM, John Galt's ForecastX is used in collaborative forecast development. Product management and sales each create their own SKU-level forecast. A statistical forecast is created using ForecastX. The collaborative forecast is based on the three inputs.
"You now have insight to how the forecast must be executed," says Anne Omrod, CEO, John Galt Solutions. "With DRP added, future replenishment needs can be calculated easily."
ForecastX's strength, notes Omrod, "is that you can get started right away. It's just like doing any chart in Excel. We've done the work to ensure the result tells them quite explicitly what the effect of the forecast will be in terms of inventory and replenishment."
The latest version extends reporting capabilities by means of pivot tables. Within Excel, these pivot tables allow multiple data views and drill-down.
"The tables tell you what you have on hand, lead times, recommended orders, planning quantities, and other information—all linked to the statistical forecasting piece," says Flack.
In conclusion, Flack says, "John Galt has been amazing to work with over the last five years. They listen and make enhancements based on feedback from the customer."
Solutions Spotlight
01/31/2004Precision now, fulfillment later
12/01/2003High-tech Darwinism
11/01/2003
Featured Company
Most Recent Resources
- FICO™ Xpress Optimization Suite Schedules Big Profits For Clients
- Strategic Pricing: Three Steps to Higher Profit Margins
- Driving Innovation Through Lean Product Development Practices
- Demand Planning Maturity Model Strategies for Demand-Driven...
- Simulation-Driven Product Development:Will Form Finally Follow...
