British multinational medical device manufacturing company wanted to enhance their SIOP process. The challenge involved replacing outdated APS technology with a flexible SaaS solution, aiming to improve forecast accuracy, reduce standing orders, optimize inventory levels and enhance service levels. HCLTech provided comprehensive support, including initial design workshops, data host enablement, configuration and validation support and training sessions for a successful implementation.
The Challenge
Replacing outdated APS technology and improving forecast accuracy and collaboration
- Technology Upgrade: Replace outdated Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) technology with a flexible Single Enterprise SaaS solution featuring advanced capabilities
- Operational Improvements: Enhance forecast accuracy, reduce standing orders and optimize inventory levels to improve service levels and better support customer sales
- Integration and Support: Provide host enablement support for Kinaxis Data from SAP S4 Hana and Microsoft AX Dynamics to streamline processes and enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction
The Objective
Enhancing SIOP process, demand planning, supply planning and interdepartmental collaboration
- The client wanted to improve their current SIOP process, specifically focusing on enhancing demand planning and supply planning
- Reducing lead times and improving collaboration within the Planning organization
The Solution
Comprehensive support for Demand Planning and Supply Planning module implementation
HCLTech played a crucial role in the implementation of the demand Planning and supply planning modules.
- Valuable support was provided in various areas, including conducting an initial design workshop for the design blue printing of the demand planning module
- Facilitated the Kinaxis data host enablement from SAP S4 Hana and Microsoft AX Dynamics, ensuring seamless integration of data sources
- Offered configuration support, validation support (covering functional validation, System Integration Testing, performance validation and User Acceptance Testing) and conducted training sessions to support the planner team in successfully adopting the new modules
- Comprehensive assistance and guidance was provided which ensured a smooth implementation process and a successful go-live for the improved planning capabilities
The Impact
Comprehensive support for Demand Planning and Supply Planning module implementation
Significant improvements in forecast accuracy, service level, decision-making and approval process
- Improved Forecast Accuracy: Consolidating demand planning processes into a single module increased forecast accuracy from 58% to 92%
- Enhanced Service Levels: The rise in forecast accuracy led to improved service levels, increasing from 87% to 95%, which contributed to greater customer satisfaction
- Faster Decision-Making: The introduction of accurate dashboards, reports and concurrent scenario planning provided real-time insights, reducing the SIOP approval process time from 15 days to just 4 days
- Operational Efficiency: The implementation had a significant positive impact on the organization's overall performance and operational efficiency, enabling more agile decision-making across the organization
