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• cross-docking

  Cross-docking is the practice of unloading goods from inbound delivery vehicles and loading them directly onto outbound vehicles. Continue Reading

• budgeting, planning and forecasting (BP&F)

  Budgeting, planning and forecasting (BP&F) is a three-step strategic planning process for determining and detailing an organization's long- and short-term financial goals. Continue Reading

• value stream mapping

  Value stream mapping is a lean manufacturing tool that visualizes every repeatable step required to deliver a product or service to the customer. Continue Reading

• 7 3PL KPIs that can help you evaluate success

  Supply chain leaders should look at some particular KPIs to determine whether their company's 3PL provider is meeting their needs. Learn the most helpful KPIs. Continue Reading

• order management

  Order management is the administration of business processes related to orders for goods or services. Continue Reading

• Definitions to Get Started

  • What is 3PL (third-party logistics)?
  • What is a bill of materials (BOM)?
  • What is Epicor Software Corp.?
  • What is Blue Yonder (formerly JDA Software)?

  • What is IFS AB?
  • What is Open Platform Communications (OPC)?
  • What is a voice user interface (VUI)?
  • What is the bullwhip effect?

  View All Definitions

• ERP and SCM: Understand the differences

  Some companies' supply chain management needs may not be fulfilled by their ERP software, so they may require SCM software. Learn more about ERP and SCM software.Continue Reading

• prototype

  A prototype is an early version of a product from which future versions are developed.Continue Reading

• Digital twins of buildings can help decarbonize environment

  John Turner and Anil Sawhney of the Digital Twin Consortium explain how deploying a digital twin of a building could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Continue Reading

• service supply chain

  The service supply chain is the part of the supply chain dedicated to providing service on products.Continue Reading

• Additive manufacturing: Learn about powder bed fusion

  Powder bed fusion may cost less than other additive manufacturing approaches, but it can be time-consuming. Learn whether powder bed fusion is right for your manufacturing needs.Continue Reading

• computer numerical control (CNC)

  Computer numerical control (CNC) is a manufacturing method that automates the control, movement and precision of machine tools through the use of preprogrammed computer software, which is embedded inside the tools.Continue Reading

• upcharge

  An upcharge is an additional fee that is added to a bill after a contract has already been negotiated.Continue Reading

• ERP vs. WMS: Which one is right for you?

  If nuanced warehouse efficiency is necessary to fulfill customer expectations, an ERP system may not be enough. Here's what to consider when it comes to ERP vs. WMS.Continue Reading

• Additive manufacturing: Learn about sheet lamination

  Sheet lamination, which is one type of additive manufacturing, is a comparatively cheap and quick way to prototype products. Learn more about sheet lamination.Continue Reading

• cost of goods sold (COGS)

  Cost of goods sold (COGS) is the total of the costs directly attributable to producing things that can be sold.Continue Reading

• order to cash (OTC or O2C)

  Order to cash (OTC or O2C) is a set of business processes that involve receiving and fulfilling customer requests for goods or services.Continue Reading

• ERP vs. PLM: What are the differences?

  Agile design and product management are key in today's constantly changing business landscape. Learn why PLM might help and how it's different than ERP.Continue Reading

• ServiceNow workflow can smooth ERP edges with partner help

  ServiceNow vice presidents Jeff Gore and Kirsten Loegering explain what's involved in implementing the platform to improve the employee experience on ERP and HR systems.Continue Reading

• lean water spider

  Lean water spider, or water spider, is a term used in manufacturing that refers to a position in a production environment or warehouse.Continue Reading

• 10 digital transformation goals to consider

  Setting goals before embarking on a digital transformation will help an organization allocate resources and measure progress. Learn some common digital transformation goals.Continue Reading

• Building a shared services organization structure

  Amid the shifting economic climate and new reality of hybrid workforces, there's no better time for companies to consolidate business functions and centralize support services.Continue Reading

• accounts receivable (AR)

  Accounts receivable (AR) is an item in the general ledger (GL) that shows money owed to a business by customers who have purchased goods or services on credit.Continue Reading

• Learn the 7 types of additive manufacturing

  Additive manufacturing is a process in which technology creates 3D shapes by layering materials. Learn how additive manufacturing can support a company's supply chain strategy.Continue Reading

• lean manufacturing (lean production)

  Lean manufacturing is a methodology that focuses on minimizing waste within manufacturing systems while simultaneously maximizing productivity.Continue Reading

• financial analytics

  Financial analytics is the creation of ad hoc analysis to answer specific business questions and forecast possible future financial scenarios.Continue Reading

• production planning

  Production planning is the act of developing a guide for the design and production of a given product or service.Continue Reading

• RFI (request for information)

  An RFI (request for information) is a formal process for gathering information from potential suppliers of a good or service.Continue Reading

• What's behind the low-code/no-code development trend in ERP?

  Holger Mueller of Constellation Research says low-code/no-code development tools from ERP vendors offer significant benefits to both professional developers and non-technical business users.Continue Reading

• A digital transformation approach to supply chain resilience

  An efficient supply chain starts with proactive preparation and the right technology. Learn more about the potential of digital transformation for supply chain resilience.Continue Reading

• Learn the 6 digital transformation stages

  Company leaders should know the six digital transformation stages so they know what to expect when undertaking the sometimes complicated and intimidating process. Learn the stages.Continue Reading

• Learn the 4 types of digital transformation

  A company's business requirements affect which type of digital transformation strategy is most likely to succeed. Learn more about the four types of digital transformation.Continue Reading

• IT influences shift to net positive enterprise

  In this Q&A, business sustainability expert Andrew Winston discusses why companies need to become net positive by contributing more than they take.Continue Reading

• barcode (or bar code)

  A barcode (sometimes seen as two words, bar code) is the small image of lines (bars) and spaces that is affixed to retail store items, identification cards and postal mail to identify a particular product number, person or location.Continue Reading

• enterprise asset management (EAM)

  Enterprise asset management (EAM) is the process of managing the lifecycle of physical assets to maximize their use; save money; improve quality and efficiency; and safeguard health, safety and the environment.Continue Reading

• RFID in supply chain: 6 examples in use today

  RFID continues to have applicability for supply chain management. Here are six ways organizations can use it to support inventory management and logistics.Continue Reading

• How to use the Excel LARGE function, with examples

  The Excel LARGE function can help users who need to rank numbers in a list. Learn how to use it, some related functions and some errors to avoid when doing so.Continue Reading

• Anaplan

  Anaplan is a web-based enterprise platform for business planning.Continue Reading

• What is a commonly overlooked step in an ERP implementation?

  Overlooking critical stakeholders in an ERP implementation can negatively affect the project. Learn how including them early can help keep the project on schedule.Continue Reading

• RFID vs. NFC: Learn the pros and cons of each

  While NFC is a subset of RFID technology, the two have some key differences, including cost and security. Learn more about RFID vs. NFC and which works best for your organization.Continue Reading

• Follow these steps when recovering from ERP project failure

  An ERP implementation failure is a worst-case scenario. However, project leaders who follow these steps can still potentially salvage the project. Learn how to recover.Continue Reading

• replenishment

  Replenishment is the controlled and regular movement of inventory from an upstream point on the supply chain to a downstream location that requires sufficient stock to cover demand.Continue Reading

• SWIFT FIN message

  SWIFT FIN is a message type (MT) that transmits financial information from one financial institution to another.Continue Reading

• 7 items to include on an ERP vendor demo checklist

  Creating an ERP vendor demo checklist before the presentation can prove beneficial for both the implementation team and the vendor. Learn several items to include on the checklist.Continue Reading

• The expanding universe of enterprise accounting software

  Enterprises of all sizes are finding today's accounting software accurately and reliably automates payables and receivables, while AI derives intelligence from numbers.Continue Reading

• Fast Guide to acronyms used in manufacturing

  The following glossary or acronyms are those most used in internal communications within the manufacturing industry.Continue Reading

• general ledger (GL)

  A general ledger (GL) is a set of numbered accounts a business uses to keep track of its financial transactions and to prepare financial reports.Continue Reading

• supply chain visibility (SCV)

  Supply chain visibility (SCV) is the ability of parts, components or products in transit to be tracked from manufacturer to final destination.Continue Reading

• demand signal repository (DSR)

  A demand signal repository (DSR) is a database that aggregates sales and demand data at the merchant's point of sale (POS).Continue Reading

• Is ERP good for sustainability -- or part of the problem?

  ERP vendors tout new tools for improving environmental sustainability. TechTarget editors discuss these and other ways IT both helps and hurts the environment.Continue Reading

• chart of accounts (COA)

  A chart of accounts (COA) is a financial, organizational tool that provides an index of every account in an accounting system.Continue Reading

• 5 key benefits of enterprise asset management software

  Asset-intensive organizations benefit from enterprise asset management software because it helps them support their industrial infrastructure. Here's how EAM software makes that easier.Continue Reading

• Can't-miss expert advice on researching ERP vendors

  The ERP sales and marketing messaging can obscure issues around cloud maturity and other important information. Use this expert advice to start cutting through the hype.Continue Reading

• 5 skills supply chain professionals need

  As with any job, there are various skills supply chain professionals need to succeed in their chosen field. Here are the five each leader must possess.Continue Reading

• 12 cloud ERP data migration best practices

  Data migration is a key component of a successful cloud ERP implementation. Learn what best practices -- such as data mapping and deciding on migration parameters -- you'll need.Continue Reading

• Supply chain AI adoption happening too fast

  AI's future in the supply chain seems assured as the pandemic accelerates AI adoption in various industries. Here's why some business leaders think it's happening too fast.Continue Reading

• Migrating ERP to the cloud: 8 reasons for failure

  SaaS ERP promises ease, but CIOs and project teams need to understand the myriad minefields that can cause deployment failure. Understand eight common ones.Continue Reading

• 8 benefits of SaaS ERP

  Learn about the benefits of using SaaS ERP software, including lower infrastructure costs, as well as some possible drawbacks, including possible data breaches.Continue Reading

• Kaizen (continuous improvement)

  Kaizen is an approach to creating continuous improvement based on the idea that small, ongoing positive changes can reap significant improvements.Continue Reading

• supply chain security

  Supply chain security is the part of supply chain management that focuses on the risk management of external suppliers, vendors, logistics and transportation.Continue Reading

• Tips for implementing voice technology in the enterprise

  Consultant Mark Persaud names the most promising applications and workflows for intelligent digital assistants and outlines the tools for deploying them.Continue Reading

• What is the role of the consultant in ERP vendor selection?

  When your company chooses an ERP vendor, an outside consultant can contribute in a number of ways. Here's what a consultant can help drive and what you should handle yourself.Continue Reading

• What key stakeholders are vital to ERP requirements analysis?

  The right stakeholders are critical to choosing and buying the right ERP system. Here's a look at some of those key stakeholders and why they're so important.Continue Reading

• Data migration vs. data conversion: What are the differences?

  Data migration and data conversion are related, but not the same. Discover how each one factors into an ERP or other software implementation and its importance.Continue Reading

• demand planning

  Demand planning is the process of forecasting the demand for a product or service so it can be produced and delivered more efficiently and to the satisfaction of customers.Continue Reading

• What are the main Microsoft Dynamics ERP products?

  Learn about Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management, why Microsoft narrowed its ERP portfolio, and why this move is important.Continue Reading

• Is a move to cloud ERP inevitable for most companies?

  More companies are turning to cloud ERP for modernization, cost and security. Here's a look at whether those factors are enough to make cloud a foregone conclusion.Continue Reading

• EAM vs. CMMS: What are the differences?

  When it comes to EAM vs. CMMS, making the right choice comes down to understanding what each software type does. Here's an overview of each to help you decide.Continue Reading

• How can IT improve existing ERP system benefits?

  A canceled ERP project due to the COVID-19 pandemic doesn't have to stall productivity. Here's how to get the most from your current system.Continue Reading

• Process mining vs. data mining: What's the difference?

  Both process mining and data mining tools can help business leaders make better decisions. Here's a look at how each works and what their differences are.Continue Reading

• Remote ERP implementation: 10 project management essentials

  Implementing ERP remotely can be challenging because for many IT teams it's new territory. Here are ways to make it easier.Continue Reading

• Essentials of EDI in supply chain management

  Electronic data interchange (EDI) applies to many different business aspects. Learn three ways EDI has streamlined supply chain management.Continue Reading

• Choose the best ERP implementation partner: 7 key questions

  Learn which questions CIOs, IT administrators and others involved in an ERP implementation project should ask when they are evaluating and interviewing a partner.Continue Reading

• Top 7 manufacturing challenges for 2020

  Growing supply chain complexity, emerging next-gen technologies and other compelling forces will continue to challenge the manufacturing sector. Here's a look at what's ahead for 2020.Continue Reading

• Financial business analytics transforms numbers into gold

  AI-driven business analytics provides finance departments with the tools to exercise more influence over corporate strategy, but only with the right skills and training.Continue Reading

• Test your grasp of process manufacturing concepts

  Process manufacturing is used to create and supply items around the world. Test your knowledge about which kinds of products and how they are made.Continue Reading

• 4 ways to use blockchain in the supply chain

  As blockchain technology enters its 11th year, its use in the supply chain is burgeoning. Here are some of the areas that are garnering the most interest.Continue Reading

• Introduction to supply chain management software of 2020

  Discover the functions of supply chain management software and learn how SCM software helps companies manage the complex demands of today's customers.Continue Reading

• 7 steps to implementing blockchain in the supply chain

  If your organization believes blockchain will bring greater visibility to the supply chain, first understand the critical steps needed to enable a successful implementation.Continue Reading

• 8 features all enterprise SaaS applications must have

  Slick UIs and fast setup make great first impressions, but enterprise managers know they're the tip of the iceberg. SaaS features like interoperability are the real foundation.Continue Reading

• Digital finance technologies at epicenter of CFO transformations

  Technologies like AI, analytics, bots, big data and blockchain could transform the finance function into a valued strategic partner for companywide digital transformation.Continue Reading

• CFOs could benefit from digital technologies in finance

  Find out why emerging digital technologies like chatbots, blockchain, AI and machine learning are not only beneficial to finance, but can also serve as useful tools for the CFO.Continue Reading

• Key considerations in global supply chain management

  Globalization adds geopolitical and cybersecurity risks to the already daunting challenges of supply chain management. Read how the experts deal with them.Continue Reading

• 7 supply chain management key terms you need to know

  Consumers are demanding greater visibility, but how do you give it them? We're starting with a list of supply chain management basic terms that you should be aware of.Continue Reading

• Mating season for SaaS financials and business processes

  Integrating SaaS financials with business processes like HR, CRM and supply chains can immediately provide companies with valuable insights in a centralized location.Continue Reading

• Words to go: Industry 4.0 basics

  We've compiled a list of the key terms used to describe the fourth industrial revolution, as well as some of the technologies that are driving the vision forward.Continue Reading

• supply chain sustainability (SCS)

  Supply chain sustainability (SCS) is a holistic view of supply chain processes, logistics and technologies that affect the environmental, social, economic and legal aspects of a supply chain's components.Continue Reading

• Supply chain software poses security risks

  Poor internal security procedures and a lack of compliance protocols -- especially for small suppliers -- can introduce cybersecurity threats into global supply chains.Continue Reading

• Process management team can be bridge between IT, business

  Process automation efforts, such as chatbots and predictive modeling, are more likely to succeed if you have a clear understanding of operational levels and team roles.Continue Reading

• Oracle Autonomous Data Warehouse aiding analytics developers

  Early adopters of Oracle's new AI-based, partly self-managing data warehouse say it can free up time to develop value-adding enterprise applications, workflows and analytics.Continue Reading

• Digital finance transformation lets CFOs shift focus to value

  In a podcast from the MIT Sloan CFO Summit, Ash Noah of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants explains how digital technology is helping finance to polish a value lens that guides the business.Continue Reading

• Why is supplier segmentation key to supplier relationship management?

  Your customer relies on your supply chain to work well, so that means you need effective supplier relationship management. Here's information to help you create it.Continue Reading

• Cloud is key to linking digital manufacturing technologies

  Traditional manufacturing systems often can't handle new customer demands, so manufacturers are building smart factories that use cloud-enabled next-gen technologies.Continue Reading

• Postmodern ERP strategy hinges on data integration

  Analysts walk you through the data integration strategies behind a postmodern ERP approach, while a semiconductor company explains how it undertook this type of project.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between logistics and supply chain management?

  Logistics is part of supply chain management, but the two terms are often used synonymously. Here's a quick explanation of how these two are different.Continue Reading

• What are some best practices for crafting a supply chain technology strategy?

  Supply chain managers have a tough job and face many challenges. Technology can help but must also be approached with return on investment top of mind. Here are three tips that can help.Continue Reading

• Supply chain blockchain is quickly taking hold

  The pieces needed to create supply chain blockchain networks are emerging. But blockchain won't fix all the problems that supply chains face, such as theft and data accuracy.Continue Reading

• Get to Industry 4.0 with a smart factory roadmap

  Creating a smart factory needn't require starting from scratch. Here's advice on how you can create connectivity with the industrial machines you do have.Continue Reading

• Planning for supply chain risk assessment and mitigation

  Natural disasters, geopolitical tensions and unacceptable social or environmental practices can endanger supply chains, but the right tools can mitigate the risks.Continue Reading

• GS1

  GS1 is a global, not-for-profit association that maintains standards for barcodes and RFID tags and for supply chain messaging such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).Continue Reading

• Supply chain risk management tools vary from generic to niche

  Specialized supply chain monitoring and risk tools exist, but you're more likely to use an assortment of general-purpose analytics, financial and GRC applications.Continue Reading