New IDC MarketScape vendor assessment recognizes e2open’s use of proven AI and real-time data in inventory optimization across the connected supply chain
E2open Parent Holdings, Inc, the connected supply chain SaaS platform with the largest multi-enterprise network, today announced the company is positioned in the Leaders category for the second consecutive time in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Supply Chain Inventory Optimization 2022 Vendor Assessment (doc # US49568517, September 2022). According to the report, “e2open has extensive experience in consumer goods, high tech, food and beverage, and automotive/heavy equipment, so manufacturing organizations in these segments, particularly that are looking for a vendor of both broad and deep supply chain planning capability, should consider e2open for their MEIO needs.”
The IDC MarketScape evaluates vendors on rigorous qualitative and quantitative criteria. E2open is named as a Leader. The report noted, “With e2open’s MEIO application, the right inventory is properly positioned at the right place and time to ensure service with minimal capital investment.” E2open supports this function across all stocking locations, including plants, contract manufacturers and co-packers, regional distribution centers, customer-facing warehouses, vendor-managed inventory (VMI) logistics depots, distributors, and retailers.
“The lack or excess of inventory is at the center of most supply chain problems: too little stock leads to production line shut-downs and empty shelves; too much means costly write-downs and waste. One of the areas that makes e2open’s inventory optimization stand out is that it is not only multi-echelon but multi-enterprise,” says Pawan Joshi, executive vice president, products and strategy at e2open. “Advanced analytics use real-time demand, supply and transportation variabilities from internal operations, and external ecosystem partners to create inventory targets that reflect current realities of the end-to-end supply chain. This is especially relevant in times of demand uncertainty fueled by inflationary pressures, combined with chronic supply constraints and logistics delays.”
“Equally important is the ability to optimize inventory held across all internal and external locations at once,” continues Joshi. “This includes goods or materials stocked at downstream distribution and retail partners, upstream suppliers, and 3PL depots. The unique multi-enterprise nature creates the optimal inventory targets across the end-to-end supply chain as a whole and avoids optimizing in one area at the expense of another. For companies driven to meet service commitments while reducing overall waste, this is the next big step in building more sustainable supply chains that serve more people with fewer resources and less capital investment. This is the power of connected planning.”
The IDC MarketScape report evaluated 19 vendors using the IDC MarketScape model to assess providers participating in the worldwide supply chain inventory optimization market. The IDC MarketScape is an evaluation based on a comprehensive framework and a set of parameters that assesses providers relative to one another and to those factors expected to be most conducive to success in each market during both the short term and the long term. Based on this assessment, e2open was named a Leader.
“Growing complexity in the supply chain has made inventory planning more challenging, both as a consequence of often larger demand forecast error and as a lack of full visibility into supply issues and constraints,” said Simon Ellis, program vice president, IDC. “IDC would view a competent IO application as important to the success of the broader supply chain.”
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The report notes several key strengths for e2open, including its continuous updating of inventory targets. As reported by the IDC MarketScape assessment, “E2open can be used once per week instead of once or twice per year, so that inventory targets reflect current market conditions and new products. Such incremental updates also avoid the disruption of big bang updates.”
“Advanced inventory optimization is an essential part of any holistic planning strategy,” said John Lash vice president of product marketing at e2open. “The ability to optimize all of your stock, for all of your business, at all of your locations has never been more important. This includes raw materials for supply assurance to keep production lines running and finished goods for reliable delivery to meet service commitments and avoid on-time in full (OTIF) penalties. We’re proud to be recognized in the IDC MarketScape as a Leader.”