The i2 Difference
i2 now offers a vendor-managed inventory solution designed specifically to support a more flexible and responsive supplier/retailer relationship.
This collaborative vendor-managed inventory approach shifts the focus of planning efforts to the end consumer—where they should be. And that change delivers measurable value to both the retailer and the consumer goods manufacturer. i2 provides a complete and integrated solution, including analysis, forecasting, planning to allocation, replenishment, and order execution.
The i2 Vendor-Managed Inventory model provides:
- Pull-based planning and fulfillment driven by point-of-sale data
- Retailer/distributor-level replenishment incorporating regional promotions
- Tighter integration of marketing and supply chain management to support demand shaping and sell-to-the-plan objectives
- End-to-end visibility into consumer demand that drives intelligent direct shipment strategies
- Integration with factory operations and demand-lift oriented category management
This proven vendor-managed inventory approach addresses the key stages of the retail supply chain, from the manufacturer’s factory through manufacturer owned and/or leaded warehousing, retailer distribution centers, and the retail environment.
The i2 solution is designed to improve product availability where it matters most to the consumer—on the retailer’s shelf.
Additionally, i2 offers the solution in a rather unique fashion that no other company can. This is the concept of Planning as a Service (PaaS™).
Key difference # 1: i2 becomes a business partner
- Design the process: i2 experts with complementary skill-set will merge with your strategy team to jointly execute retailer negotiations and customized business solutions for each partnership. We thus become partners in:
- Business process
o Financial process
- I/T process
o Channel management
- Configure the solution: In parallel, i2 will work with you to deploy competencies that will be required in an offshore model, using software and domain expertise, while keeping existing system flow intact. This off-site build of customer model provides:
- A business process outsourcing offering as low-risk, no-hassle implementation approach
- Minimal changes to existing systems
- Focus on high business value functionality and analytics
- Operate the process: The i2 offshore team will support the planning function for the categories on the program—create the forecast, manage the inventory and collaboration, and generate performance dashboards. This enables:
- Low-cost model to operate customer’s business process
- Clearly defined accountability and approval process
- Incremental ramp-up of categories and channels to minimize risk
Key difference #2: Drastically reduce time to value
We all know that innovation has a very short shelf life. If you come up with an idea, but it takes too long to implement, then the lead can be lost to someone else. i2’s PaaS offerings around managed supply chain services drastically reduce time to innovation. This offering allows you to incubate a process innovation outside the four walls of your enterprise and gain quick results at minimum risk. i2 acts as a software and consulting company—we roll up our sleeves and help you make it happen.
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