Best Demand Planning Software
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What is Demand Planning Software?
Demand planning software helps businesses predict and manage customer demand for products and services, ensuring that inventory levels, production schedules, and resources are aligned with market needs. These tools use historical data, market trends, and statistical models to forecast future demand, helping businesses avoid overstocking or stockouts. Demand planning software often integrates with other enterprise systems, such as supply chain management or enterprise resource planning (ERP), to optimize operations. Many solutions also include features for collaboration, allowing teams to adjust forecasts based on real-time data or changes in market conditions. By enhancing accuracy and efficiency, demand planning software helps businesses improve customer satisfaction and reduce operational costs. Compare and read user reviews of the best Demand Planning software currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.
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1
Logility
Logility
Logility is a market-leading provider of AI-first supply chain management solutions engineered to help organizations build sustainable digital supply chains that improve people’s lives and the world we live in. The company’s approach is designed to reimagine supply chain planning by shifting away from traditional “what happened” processes to an AI-driven strategy that combines the power of humans and machines to predict and be ready for what’s coming. Logility’s fully integrated, end-to-end platform helps clients know faster, turn uncertainty into opportunity, and transform the supply chain from a cost center to an engine for growth. -
2
SKU Science
SKU Science
SKU Science provides a fast and efficient solution tailored for demand planning and performance tracking. The platform offers advanced data visualization along with the ability to archive historical forecasts and adjustments for each cycle. Planned vs. actual tracking helps you identify and address performance gaps effectively, while features for product lifecycle and promotions management enable you to seamlessly phase out products and incorporate promotional events into your forecasts. With 644 statistical combinations and AI models trained on your specific dataset, you can create unique and accurate sales forecasts at any level. Key performance indicators (KPIs) are automatically calculated and prioritized to help you focus on the most critical items, optimizing inventory levels and resource allocation. The platform’s dashboards enable you to visualize your data effectively and streamline monitoring processes to support informed decision-making.Starting Price: $295 per month -
3
Jesta Vision Suite
Jesta I.S.
Demand Forecasting Anticipate customer needs across wholesale, brick-and-mortar, and direct-to-consumer channels with Jesta’s Demand Forecasting module. By analyzing purchase history and identifying patterns, it predicts future demand, whether for the upcoming season or the next year. The module ensures supply aligns with demand and proactively alerts users to potential shortages of raw materials or finished goods. Integrated with Jesta’s Material Resource Planning (MRP), it tracks incoming orders and shipping dates, minimizing warehouse inventory time and streamlining operations. Sophisticated business intelligence tools provide deeper insights into purchase trends, enabling value-added services like recommending new products or preparing inventory for anticipated orders. With Jesta’s Demand Forecasting, you can optimize inventory, improve delivery times, and enhance customer satisfaction. -
4
Quant
Quant Retail s.r.o.
Cloud solution for managing retail spaces, product categories, planograms and shelf labels. Thanks to the smart automatic generating of planograms optimized according to sales based on user-defined templates it is possible to maintain the planograms in up-to-date state also in large sales networks with diverse stores without increasing demands on human resources. Quant is a integrated solution for Space Planning, Category Management, planograms, ranging, Shelf Labels and POS printing, communication with stores and In-store Marketing. Quant Cloud has all the advantages of cloud computing. Work from all over the world on the same projects as your colleagues and use the same database on different computers. No need to build complex infrastructures and overload your IT department. Our consultants are available to help you when you need it. We train your users and help with data integration so Quant can be live in less than 12 weeks.Starting Price: €1200 / User / Year -
5
MLmargin
KG Intelligence
Optimize your inventory. MLmargin is an AI powered software that takes the guesswork out of Supply Chain Management by providing demand forecasting and replenishment recommendation. By using MLmargin you will reduce stock-outs and over-stocks. It uses two models: 1st: Demand forecasting: Machine learning models will use your sales data to provide daily, weekly or monthly demand prediction for each SKU. 2nd: Purchasing optimization: Optimization models will combine the demand forecast, lead times, storage cost and sales price for a perfect replenishment decision. You will receive decision support for perfect order quantity for each item. You will reduce the inventory inefficiencies, deliver faster and increase the customer satisfaction.Starting Price: €49 per month -
6
StockTrim
StockTrim
StockTrim in inventory planning and demand forecasting software that saves SMB's up to 40% of their working capital. The machine learning algorithms learn your stock behaviour and produce recommended order plans to ensure complete stock control and optimised inventory. Our delighted users report: a) 20-40% cash flow increase due to working capital retention through reduced overstocks b) HALVING of under-stocking that was losing sales and profits c) 75% TIME SAVING in planning and replenishment Implementation is easy and your 14 day free trial gives plenty of time to set up and get very useful analysis.Starting Price: $99.00/month/user -
7
Sales Analysis & Forecasting Tool
SAFIO Solutions
SAFIO Solutions is a cloud based, forecasting software solution for inventory optimization, delivering a comprehensive platform that provides vision, efficiency and analytics to make strategic decisions for improved operational performance. Utilizing a proprietary Sales Analysis & Forecasting Tool, SAFIO Solutions integrates a client’s vital data into a single, convenient and user-friendly interface, one that is intuitive to the information a planner needs to make impactful and efficient decisions, because it was developed by a planner. Get the reporting & analytics needed to focus on emerging trends, opportunities and liabilities where action can then be taken to achieve desired results. Gain the confidence to forecast simply, efficiently and accurately. Available to use on multiple devices wherever you are: at home, in the office or traveling. -
8
BizAutomation
BizAutomation
BizAutomation automates your ENTIRE business without any of the "Good, Better, Best", "Sell by the App", or "Teaser Pricing" shinanigans so prevelant with Big Tech software these days. We're a transparent U.S. based family owned software company with old fashioned values that gets directly involved in our customer's success... Meaning we're a "customer" not "consultant partner" first advocate. If you like where this is going, take a look at our cloud business suite, the most comprehensive in the industry. It includes: Operations management, ERP, Order Management with Shipping & Fulfillment, Procurement, Accounting (no need for QuickBooks), Warehouse Management, Inventory Management, Ecommerce, MRP, and Workflow Automation, all wrapped up in a single cloud suite designed exclusively for growing small businesses. Lastely, our demos are about selling you stuff, they're about genuinely helping you find a solution, whether that's us or not.Starting Price: $79.95/month/user -
9
CyberPlan
Cybertec - Zucchetti
Get full control of your planning process with a tool that allows you to plan and schedule the manufacturing process in a way that lets you avoid wastes and allows you to always have the correct raw materials at the right moment in the right place. Increase service level, reduce time losses, increase productivity, avoid missing materials and get full control of your supply chain. Get this results with CyberPlan, the Advanced Planning and Scheduling Software (APS) used by the leading manufacturing companies to plan their productions on a daily basis. It is used to plan and schedule the production of manufacturing companies that want to be competitive and to have full control of their supply chain. Companies in MTS, ATO, MTO and ETO production enviroments are benefitting from such solution, even in the most complex productions that engineer extremely complicated product accordingly to the customer requests down to the companies making CPG.Starting Price: 1.500 USD -
10
Planview Portfolios
Planview
Accelerate strategic execution with Planview Portfolios (formerly Planview Enterprise One™) by integrating business and technology planning, optimizing all resources, and delivering breakthrough products, services, and customer experiences to achieve maximum business performance. Manage and deliver across all types of work, technology, and application portfolios. Translate business requirements into standards to meet strategic objectives, reducing cost and mitigating risk. Get a complete approach for all kinds of work – traditional, agile, iterative, and collaborative. Balance work and resources and keep teams productive. Get the most effective use of your resources. A scalable user experience ensures everyone is working on the right priorities to deliver the right outcomes. Ensure on-time, on-budget project delivery. Schedules and milestones keep people and projects on course for maximum impact; dashboards give performance insight. -
11
Smart Inventory Planning & Optimization
Smart Software
Smart Software is a leading provider of demand planning, inventory optimization and supply chain analytics solutions headquartered in Belmont, Massachusetts, USA. Founded in 1981 Smart has helped thousands of customers plan for future demand utilizing industry-leading statistical analytics. Smart Inventory Planning & Optimization (IP&O) is the company’s next-generation suite of native web applications, helping inventory carrying organizations reduce inventory, improve service levels and streamline Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning. Smart IP&O, hosted on Amazon Web Services, is a Digital Supply Chain Platform driving three applications: demand planning, inventory optimization, and dashboard reporting. Smart IP&O functions as a transparent extension of our customers’ ERP systems of choice, receiving daily transaction data and returning forecasts and inventory policy values to drive replenishment and production planning. -
12
Algo
Algo
Algo is AI-powered demand planning software purpose-built for modern retail supply chains. From forecasting and inventory optimisation to pricing and promotions, Algo equips retailers and consumer brands with the tools to respond faster, plan smarter, and deliver results — all without the usual complexity. Why Brands Choose Algo: ⚡ Faster time to value: Go live in just 16 weeks — not 12 months. 🛠️ All-inclusive implementation: No third-party integrators, no hidden fees. One platform. One team. 📈 Ongoing support tied to outcomes: We don’t just launch software — we partner to track KPIs, refine strategy, and drive measurable growth. Whether you're navigating demand volatility or scaling omnichannel operations, Algo helps you replace disconnected spreadsheets with real-time, AI-driven visibility. Trusted by leading retailers, Algo turns your supply chain into a competitive advantage — fast.Starting Price: $5,000 -
13
GMDH Streamline
GMDH
Streamline is the world’s leading Supply Chain Planning Platform with Dynamic Simulation. We help companies make accurate decisions faster. Streamline is a powerful AI-based digital solution that best suits medium-sized and large enterprise companies in manufacturing, distribution, wholesale and retail with annual revenue from $10 million to 10 billion and multiple channels, stores, and warehouses. 22+ the most popular ERPs + a dedicated technical team that can quickly develop integrations with specific ERP using ODBC. The solution provides bi-directional integrations with Excel, Oracle NetSuite, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Dynamics GP, Dynamics NAV, SAP Business One, QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Online, Odoo, Skubana, Spire, Unleashed, Cin7, Fishbowl, Shopify, Micronet, DEAR, Exact Online, SellerCloud and other systems. -
14
pepito
pepito
With pepito, working hours and vacation days can be easily managed and duty rosters can be created in an uncomplicated manner. The clever tool thinks ahead and precisely records both absences and overtime. On request, pepito takes over the complete time recording and summarizes all information clearly. Thanks to pepito, the right employees are deployed at the right time. The heart of the tool is the requirement and deployment planning as the basis for securing all shifts and working time windows. Duty times are displayed transparently for planners and employees, absences are clearly stored, and actual and target working times are automatically compared. Regardless of the industry, all information about each employee is clearly stored in the digital personnel file. These can be called up by decision-makers at any time. Documents from applicants, certificates, time limits, holiday agreements, notes from employee appraisals, but also master data, and much more have their place here.Starting Price: Free -
15
Enhanced Forecasting Worksheet
Insight Works
The Enhanced Forecasting Worksheet app for Dynamics 365 Business Central empowers businesses with smart, customizable inventory forecasting. Leveraging Microsoft’s Azure AI, it helps prevent stockouts, optimize reorder points, and streamline planning with flexible filtering, historical data tuning, and advanced algorithms—all within a seamless Business Central experience. - Intelligent Forecasting with Azure AI Integration: Utilizes Microsoft’s Cortana Intelligence Suite for precise inventory predictions to minimize stockouts. - Customizable Reorder Parameters: Allows users to set optimal reorder points and maximum inventory levels, enhancing stock management efficiency. - Multiple Forecasting Algorithms: Provides a choice of six algorithms, enabling tailored forecasting to meet specific business demands. - Historical Data Adjustment: Empowers users to refine past data for more accurate future forecasts, ensuring relevant inventory insights. -
16
Deposco Bright Suite
Deposco
Deposco's Bright Suite is a future-ready platform that integrates, automates, and grows with your business. It serves as your ultimate turbo boost to market dominance and sustained growth. Deposco unifies vital systems into a dynamic data powerhouse that cuts through the noise and adapts at every turn. Gain real-time insights and act confidently. Automation streamlines workflows, while smart data archiving drives your ambitions. The platform keeps you ahead and secures your winner's circle spot. Deposco's platform offers execution solutions like warehouse management to optimize warehouse operations, shipping and parcel management to reduce shipping costs, order management and DOM to fulfill orders across all channels, and store inventory and fulfillment to leverage store inventory for fulfillment. Planning solutions include demand planning to forecast customer demand, inventory planning to optimize inventory to meet demand, and sourcing and purchasing to fulfill orders.Starting Price: Free -
17
Netstock
Netstock
Netstock is a leader in supply chain planning software and is trusted by 2,200 customers globally. Netstock's cloud-based solutions enable businesses to remain agile, responsive, and profitable. Integrating into leading ERPs, each solution unlocks ERP data and leverages enhanced analytics so you can quickly respond to changes in supply and demand. With increased visibility and team alignment, businesses can reduce operating cash with enhanced forecasting capability, predictive demand planning, and sales & operations planning. NOTE: You need to have an ERP system in place in order to use Netstock. View our website to see the full list of the leading ERP’s we integrate with. -
18
UMT360
UMT360
UMT360’s Strategic Portfolio Management solution provides the critical portfolio management capabilities that most organizations are currently missing. UMT360 ensures that the right top-down business planning and controls are in place to help you model and analyze all aspects of your portfolios, align all investments with strategy and accelerate business transformation. Our unique approach helps clients incrementally deploy the specific capabilities needed to attain visibility, gain insight and establish the enterprise connections needed to improve decision-making and accelerate business transformation. Key capabilities include: • Governance Controls Across Any Portfolio • Demand & Innovation Management • Budgeting & Forecasting • Resource Utilization & Management • Outcome Management • Strategic Portfolio Analysis • Roadmapping & Release Management • Business Intelligence & Metrics -
19
BluePlanner
UpClear
BluePlanner, complete revenue management software for Consumer Goods Sales, Demand Planning, Finance, and Accounting professionals. Trade Promotion Management supports annual planning, execution, and analysis of accounts, with a full suite of financial and managerial approvals for each activity. CG Manufacturers use these detailed plans to control trade spending and assess the performance of their business. Trade Promotion Optimization augments TPM with additional intelligence, simulations and advanced reporting capabilities to support the promotion effectiveness mission of CG manufacturers. Integrated Business Planning provides capabilities to support annual operating plan definition, target settings, and sales and operation forecasts. More broadly, it facilitates the ongoing collaboration across sales, supply chain, finance and channel partners to optimize volumes and financial forecast and deliver against overall business objectives. -
20
ForecastX
John Galt Solutions
ForecastX is a forecasting tool that is built for growth. The tool gives you unparalleled statistical power along with the infinite flexibility of Excel, while remaining incredibly easy to use.Starting Price: $99/mo -
21
Remi AI
Remi AI
We’re a state of the art machine learning platform that supports critical decisions across retail and Ecommerce supply chains. AI for everyone. We’re an advanced AI supply chain platform for Ecommerce and retail companies of all sizes. Our mission is to deliver the AI methods of the Fortune 100 to all companies. Including AI Forecasting, Supply Chain Simulation & Optimization, Replenishment Optimization, and What-If Analysis through Simulation. The pioneering AI Demand Forecasting Platform is based in custom built AutoML management, meaning that that every one of your products is assigned its own forecasting algorithm and is regularly assessed against performance benchmarks. The Remi AI Platform comes with standard Simulations for Promotion Optimization and Replenishment Orders under Budgets and we also build bespoke Simulations on top of your data streams.Starting Price: $45 per month -
22
Forecasted Solutions
Forecasted Solutions
Forecasted Solutions is a cutting edge software firm founded on the principles of bringing quality sales forecasting, replenishment in an easier, faster and more affordable way for small and medium sized businesses. Our application was built from scratch with a single idea in mind; to help the customers understand their sales cycle better. The application was based on real world experience after accessing millions of products over a variety of industries. Our application is a web- based SaaS platform that doesn’t require installation or upgradation ever. At Forecasted we use an AI engine that monitors each forecast and searches for changing environment to understand the functioning patterns of it. Forecasted solutions puts together multiple computer modeled forecasts that is prepared at a level that is most relevant to your business needs. With multiple computer modeled forecasts you can have one forecast for the SKU level, another one for the SKU warehouse level. -
23
Algopine
Algopine
We develop, manage and run predictive software services based on data science and machine learning. Software service for large e-commerce businesses and retail chains which uses machine learning to forecast sales and optimize stock distribution among retail stores and warehouses. Personalized product recommender for e-commerce web sites which uses real-time Bayes nets to display relevant recommended products for e-shop visitors. Software service which automatically suggests product price movements to improve profit by using statistical price and demand elasticity models. API for computing optimal path routes for batch picking time optimization in a retailer's warehouse, which is built on shortest path graph algorithms. -
24
Planilog
Planilog
Planilog is a collaborative app for constraint-based advanced planning and scheduling that optimizes your production and maintenance workflows in real-time. Planilog develops the most powerful and flexible tools to plan and schedule your industrial activities. Whether you’re looking to apply management rules, manage resources and constraints or create optimization scenarios, Planilog features give you a single and centralized view of your activities. Thousands of users improve their production and maintenance process thanks to Planilog. Through interfaces or APIs, Planilog allows the import and export of data from your ERP, but also from any other CRM, MES, CAPM solution, etc. Effective handling and rapid adoption of all Planilog features are ensured through learning resources that we design to drive your complete mastery of our software. If desired, you can benefit from further personalized help provided by a Planilog expert.Starting Price: $900 per year -
25
ServiceNow Strategic Portfolio Management
ServiceNow
Create greater value from your initiatives and enable change faster across the enterprise. Plan, prioritize, and track work aligned to business objectives. Deliver enterprise agility for better business outcomes. Manage outcomes to create value. Gain visibility into portfolio investments and business strategies for better outcomes. Track progress in real time to see exactly how funds are spent and the value of the work being delivered. Adapt planning for uncertainty. Connect your investment plan to your work plan of action for greater agility. Gain visibility into project outcomes, assess related top-level investments, and adapt to make adjustments on an ongoing basis. Scale work to deliver faster. Manage strategic and operational work in one place and reduce bottlenecks to get to market faster. Increase agility by optimizing and reallocating resources as priorities shift. -
26
Zip Forecasting
Hubworks
Integrations can be a pain but, we've made it super simple with Zip Forecasting. Our POS integration tool walks you through the process in less than 10 minutes. When you are setup, you'll be able to generate your first sales and transactions forecast for the following week. Generate sales and transaction forecasts with a single click. Detailed forecasts allow you to drill down to 15-minute intervals ensuring pinpoint accuracy. When used with Zip Schedules, these forecasts make business more predictable helping you reduce over and under labor scheduling. And, when used with Zip Inventory you'll always know when it's time to restock. Anticipating increased demand because of a big event or maybe fewer sales because of bad weather? Zip Forecasting makes it easy to adjust forecasts for upcoming weather and events. Sales and transactions can be edited at the day level and on 15-minute intervals. -
27
Quantics
Quantics
Leave your competitors behind! Make use of the powerful Quantics engine to achieve significantly better forecasting results. Create an optimal quantitative base for your decision-making. Benefit from an AI-powered solution. Automate your forecasting processes and free up time. Innovative forecasting methods for products with special demand curves. Benefit from a solution that meets your requirements. Analysis and consideration of relevant internal and external factors to reflect reality. Automated model adaptation towards market fluctuations for faster decision making and better results. Smart AI-human feedback loops combining the best of humans and machines. Forecasts at all time and aggregation levels for an integrated planning approach. Precise forecasts with just a couple of clicks and no data science know-how required. Take advantage of a cutting-edge approach that is tailored to your industry. -
28
Garvis
Garvis
Garvis is on a mission to make using Artificial Intelligence for forecasting and demand planning easy, accessible, and explainable while keeping the planners in control. We are the first truly bionic demand planning system that drives the paradigm shift towards man-machine collaboration. We combine access to data in the richest sense with a user-trainable, transparent AI that empowers planners to create the best possible plans for the future. Current volatility requires a radical new demand planning environment that empowers planners to take back control and respond to changes faster and more accurately. Discover how to get actionable insights in demand and how a 1-day implementation is possible. Garvis strengthens your Excel reports with user-trainable AI and comes with an integrated data wrangler to convert rows and columns to a series of rows with product history including sales and master data, allowing for a start within an hour.Starting Price: €1500 per month -
29
Deskera MRP
Deskera
Calculate production costs, track inventory levels, plan purchasing and production needs, and streamline your operations for maximum efficiency with Deskera MRP. Manage all aspects of manufacturing operations with Deskera MRP, from material resource planning to work order management and finished goods tracking. Automate work order task creation and assignment, track progress, and monitor completion with real-time updates. Monitor resources, costs and time associated with each work order for improved accuracy and efficiency. Anticipate future customer demand and optimize inventory levels. Accurately predict customer needs and maximize supply chain efficiency. Generate more accurate sales forecasts and manage inventory levels more effectively. Create production plans with ease. Assign resources, set schedules and deadlines, and manage your entire process in one place. Track production costs and optimize efficiency with comprehensive analytics.Starting Price: $1000 per month -
30
Prophecy
Data Perceptions
Use world-class forecasting models, via Prophecy's protected, easy to use environment. Use judgmental forecasting, via Prophecy's flexible, 'pivot-table' type interactive environment and live graphs. Save money, plan better, with a more accurate sales forecast. Forecast, analyze and report in a single system. Integrate Quantity, Revenue and Margin forecasts for a single-source view of history and the future. Plan over hierarchies of Products and Customers. Manage delivery of forecasts, budgets and plans through constantly updated comparisons with Budgets, Last Year etc.. Measure sales forecast accuracy using built-in accuracy measure tools and reports. Learn from your mistakes, earlier! Boost forecaster productivity compared to sales forecasting spreadsheet solutions. Implement faster and at lower cost. Existing Prophecy customers integrate with SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Sage, NetSuite etc.
Guide to Demand Planning Software
Demand planning software is a type of program designed to help businesses forecast customer demand so that they can plan their production and inventory accordingly. It works by analyzing past sales data, market trends, and other inputs to create accurate forecasts for future demand. This type of software is used by companies in a variety of industries including retail, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Demand planning software provides businesses with a range of valuable features. For example, it helps managers identify trends in customer demand over time, such as seasonal fluctuations or sudden spikes in purchases related to product launches. The software can also be used to calculate the optimal amount of inventory needed to meet customer needs while minimizing costs associated with overstocking or under-stocking items. In addition, some programs provide integrated tools for tracking supply chain performance and predicting future product needs based on factors such as price changes and competitive pressures.
Another benefit of demand planning software is that it enables businesses to make better decisions about pricing strategies and promotions based on current market conditions and historical data. By monitoring customer behavior, companies can determine which pricing schemes are most effective at driving sales or increasing profits. They can also use the information gathered by the software to inform their marketing campaigns so that they target the right demographics with offers tailored specifically for them.
Finally, many modern demand planning solutions come equipped with advanced analytics capabilities which allow users to simulate various scenarios in order to determine the best course of action before actually investing resources into certain strategies or projects. This feature makes it easier for decision makers to understand how different choices might affect their business objectives so that they can make more informed decisions going forward.
Demand Planning Software Features
- Forecasting: Demand planning software helps to generate accurate forecasts of customer demand and market trends. It calculates demand through statistical analysis of past sales data, inventory levels, seasonality and other factors. This allows companies to adjust their production and distribution plans accordingly in order to meet customer needs.
- Inventory Management: Demand planning solutions help companies manage their inventory more efficiently by providing visibility into inventory levels across multiple warehouses or retail locations. It gathers crucial information such as item availability, quantity on-hand and stock movement history in order make informed decisions about restocking products and optimizing the supply chain.
- Promotion Planning: Demand planning software can help companies maximize the success of promotional campaigns by analyzing historical data from past promotions, pricing changes and market trends. This gives organizations a better understanding of consumer behavior and enables them to target customers with tailored discounts at the right time for maximum impact.
- Supply Chain Optimization: Demand planning solutions provide valuable insights into both sides of a company’s supply chain – from production to delivery – in order to identify potential bottlenecks that could lead to delays or higher costs down the line. They can also be used to adjust purchasing schedules so that materials are purchased only when needed, avoiding unnecessary waste due to overstocking or understocking.
What Are the Different Types of Demand Planning Software?
- Supply Chain Management (SCM) Software: SCM software is designed to help companies manage the entire supply chain process, from creating orders and tracking inventory to shipping products and analyzing customer demand. This type of software helps streamline operations and improve overall efficiency.
- Demand Forecasting Software: This type of software helps companies predict future demand for their products using historical data and current market trends. It helps organizations anticipate customer needs and make more informed decisions about production levels, inventory management, pricing strategies, promotions, etc.
- Inventory Management Software: These systems track inventory levels in real-time so that organizations can make sure they have enough stock on hand to meet customer demand. They also allow companies to set reorder points so they don’t run out of popular items.
- Supply Network Planning & Optimization Software: These tools allow organizations to optimize their entire supply network by mapping out production sites, transportation routes, warehouses, etc., while considering various cost parameters such as labor costs or materials costs.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software: CRM software enables businesses to better understand their customers’ buying patterns so they can more accurately plan for future demand. It also helps them provide better service by giving them a comprehensive view of the customer journey and individual preferences.
Recent Trends Related to Demand Planning Software
- Increased emphasis on data-driven insights: Demand planning software is designed to provide users with actionable insights that are based on real-time data. This allows companies to more accurately forecast customer demand, optimize inventory levels, and plan for potential disruptions in the supply chain.
- Automated features for improved accuracy: Modern demand planning software often includes automated features, such as machine learning algorithms, which can help improve the accuracy of forecasts by accounting for external factors that may affect demand.
- Greater visibility into supply chain operations: Demand planning software provides users with greater visibility into their supply chains, allowing them to quickly identify bottlenecks and other potential issues that could impact operations.
- Improved collaboration across teams: Demand planning software also facilitates improved collaboration between departments by allowing multiple users to access and manage data in real time. This helps to streamline communication and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals.
- Scalability options for growing businesses: As businesses grow, they often need to scale up their demand planning systems to meet their changing needs. Modern demand planning software is designed to be easily scalable, allowing businesses to add or remove features as needed.
Advantages Provided by Demand Planning Software
- Automated Data Collection: Demand planning software automates the collection of relevant data such as customer orders, inventory levels, and sales trends. By collecting this data in one central location, businesses can quickly access crucial information to make more informed decisions about their demand plans.
- Improved Accuracy: The automated nature of demand planning software helps minimize inaccurate projections by providing accurate and up-to-date information from multiple sources that might otherwise be overlooked or misunderstood.
- Flexible Modeling: This type of software allows for more flexible modeling to help predict future customer demand based on current market conditions and other important factors.
- Increased Visibility: Demand planning software makes it easy to track performance across multiple business data points, including sales forecasts, inventory levels, and order history. This increased visibility helps managers identify weak spots in their supply chain processes and make necessary adjustments in a timely manner.
- Advanced Analytics: Demand planning solutions are often equipped with powerful analytics tools that allow businesses to run comprehensive reports on demand trends, production costs, pricing strategies, and much more. Such insights can be used to better prepare for any potential obstacles along the supply chain journey.
- Scalability: Having access to sophisticated demand planning technology makes it easier for businesses to scale operations as needed without sacrificing accuracy or efficiency in the process. With scalability an ever-present consideration for organizations looking to grow their operations over time, having a reliable tool like this is invaluable.
How to Select the Right Demand Planning Software
Utilize the tools given on this page to examine demand planning software in terms of price, features, integrations, user reviews, and more.
- First and foremost, consider the specific needs of your organization. What kind of data will need to be collected and analyzed? How many people will need to access the system? Do you require complex forecasting capabilities or simple inventory management tools? Developing a clear understanding of what features you’ll need from the software can help narrow down your options.
- Secondly, consider what level of technical support is available with any software you’re considering. In addition to needing help setting up the system and training users, look into what kind of customer service is provided during operation. You should also make sure that the chosen platform is integrated with your existing systems and technologies before committing.
- Finally, research each candidate’s cost structure carefully, including licensing fees, upgrade costs, and any additional charges associated with installation or maintenance. While low-cost options may appear attractive initially, they may not provide everything necessary for successful demand planning in the long run.
By taking into account all three of these factors when choosing demand planning software for your business, you can ensure that you select a solution that meets all of your needs both now and in the future.
Types of Users that Use Demand Planning Software
- Business Analysts: Business analysts are responsible for developing and maintaining plans to forecast customer demand. They analyze data to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities that can be used to optimize inventory levels and improve internal operations.
- Manufacturing Personnel: Manufacturing personnel use demand planning software to help them plan production schedules in order to meet customer demands. The software helps them track materials, labor costs, and other inputs needed to produce products efficiently.
- Financial Officers: Financial officers utilize the software's analytical capabilities to forecast financial results based on a variety of factors. They use the data provided by the software to inform decisions about pricing, resource allocation, budgeting, capital investments, and more.
- Retailers: Retailers use demand planning software to create better forecasts for sales volumes by analyzing past performance along with external factors such as seasonal trends and marketing campaigns. This helps retailers predict future product demand more accurately which is essential for allocating resources and optimizing stock levels.
- Logistics Personnel: Logistics personnel use the forecasting capabilities of demand planning software to develop efficient supply chains that ensure material availability when needed while minimizing expenses associated with unused or excess inventory. The software also helps them plan delivery routes so they can get goods where they need to go on time and at minimal cost.
Demand Planning Software Cost
The cost of demand planning software can vary greatly depending on the features and capabilities you need. Generally speaking, demand planning software is most often priced based on a subscription model that charges a flat fee per user per month. However, some solutions may be offered at a one-time cost with no additional fees.
For the very basic versions of demand planning software, prices can start around $40 per user per month. For more comprehensive and fully featured solutions, prices can range up to $200 or more per user per month. Some companies also offer services such as setup assistance and data migration for an additional fee.
When researching different demand planning software options, make sure to consider not just the upfront cost but also any potential long-term costs that could arise from using the software over time. Also keep in mind any required maintenance fees or other ongoing costs associated with using the solution beyond the initial purchase price. It's important to ensure that you are getting value for your money by taking into account all potential costs when making your decision.
What Software Can Integrate with Demand Planning Software?
Demand planning software can integrate with a variety of types of software, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, customer relationship management (CRM) software, and analytics tools. ERP integration allows demand planners to use the same data that an organization collects in other departments across its operations; CRM integration provides access to customer data such as customer profiles and purchase history; and analytics tools offer insights into customer behavior, market trends, and other metrics. Integrations with these types of software enable demand planners to leverage data from disparate sources to create more accurate models for forecasting future demand.