Post a total of 3 substantive responses over 2 separate days for full participation. This includes your initial post and 2 replies to other students.
Due Today 7pm. central standard time
By Sarah
Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:
- How has the development of the internet affected the way companies forecast in support of their supply chain planning process?
- Provide an example of a successful or unsuccessful forecast.
- Why is it important for firms to focus on forecasting models?
- Compare and contrast the various types of forecasting models.
Due Monday
Reply to at least 2 of your classmates in 100 word count. Be constructive and professional in your responses.
Why is it important for firms to focus on forecasting models?
Forecasting is extremely important when it comes to business especially new businesses. Forecasting will help the company ensure they are on the right path, which competitors they are up against and if they are producing the products that their target audience wants and needs. “Proper forecasting will help to minimize the role of luck or chance in determining business success or failure. A successful promoter is also the prophet of economic conditions” (Chand).
This will also help with estimating how much money is needed and how it will be spent. This also helps with decision making, with proper information that is given especially with forecasting it can ensure necessary changes are made to keep the company profitable and running smoothly. Having accurate sales makes sure that other budgets are correctly done, if you have too much or too little of a product you won’t be able to keep up with the demand or have too much product your sitting on either case it will not be efficient for the company. Correctly forecasting raw materials helps with budgets all across the board.
By Eric
The internet is a tool that is widely used for information. It has become one of the go to sources since going to the libraries or reading newspapers. The internet itself has truly affected how companies forecast for their supply chain planning process. “Leading firms are using Web-based technologies to migrate from centralized, intra-enterprise planning to distributed optimization based on the synchronized capabilities of all trading partners” (O’Brien, 2004). Companies are slowly moving away from planning for products. They are planning more for capabilities.
The internet has made it to where by recognizing and collaborating in the horizontal and vertical marketplace, they are becoming more competitive and are given an advantage. Because the world today is so technologically based, the information needed is collected and gather through the internet where there is little to no need for additional staffing on forecasting supply and demand.
“Focus is shifting from internal integration to connected, collaborative supply webs, which drives top-line growth, operating efficiencies, and reduced working capital investment” (O’Brien, 2004). These tactics and advantages will allow companies to save more money and increase their profit and