Denver July 16, 2002 Enterprise applications provider J.D. Edwards & Co. this week unveiled the latest version of its Demand Planning software, adding new capabilities for enabling forecasting for very large data sets and improvements to statistical modeling capabilities to accommodate intermittent and erratic demand.
J.D. Edwards said the new version also includes a more user-friendly interface, as well as allocation management functions to improve spare parts and co-product demand management.
Demand Planning version 4.0 works in tandem with J.D. Edwards' Demand Consensus to create a collaborative forecasting environment across the supply chain, which can help businesses improve supply chain predictability, reduce inventories, avoid stockouts and lower production costs, according to the solution provider.
Using historical demand information and market intelligence, Demand Planning uses statistical and multi-dimensional data modeling capabilities to predict and plan for future product demand. J.D. Edwards asserted that the software creates more accurate forecasts than competing applications by combining statistics derived from multiple models, allowing companies to better manage seasonality, intermittent demand, unusual events, and changes in demand trends and patterns.
In addition, Demand Planning can analyze and forecast the impact of events such as holidays, promotions, and price sensitivities and product dependencies.
Demand Planning comes pre-integrated with the J.D. Edwards 5 ERP and supply chain execution offerings.
"Today's supply chain complexities require sophisticated tools capable of optimizing production and inventory levels for the most cost-efficient delivery of products," said Les Wyatt, chief marketing officer at J.D. Edwards. "Demand Planning 4.0 gives businesses the power to dramatically increase forecast accuracy using a sophisticated planning environment, thereby providing the information necessary to plan production and ultimately satisfy customers. When combined with J.D. Edwards Demand Consensus, Demand Planning enables businesses to collaborate with stakeholders and manage demand using both historical information and qualitative expert judgments."
