Sage 100

Distribution client running lean on inventory.  Clients may sometimes order several months in advance.  When entering new orders, best case for customer service would be to be able to EASILY see that the current SO requirements are out 60 days but there is a PO due in next week, so can go ahead and over-commit the item for this current customer who needs it now without shorting future order.

MRP would give them this, if they reran the MRP generation A LOT, but can't sell MRP to them anymore (correct, like WO?).  Any other mods out there?

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625
------------------------------

Could they change the setup to include the quantity on PO in the quantity available?

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Assistant to the Traveling Secretary
------------------------------

That would help, but they need more detail of the dates.  If that other customer is due next week and the PO doesn't come in until AFTER next week, then they can't poach items.  If it's the other way around, they can.

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2020 09:33
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Could they change the setup to include the quantity on PO in the quantity available?

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Assistant to the Traveling Secretary
------------------------------

What about Purchase Agent from Scanco?

------------------------------
Jeff Schwenk
FORMER 90M Board Member
Bottomline Software, Inc.
Waynesboro VA
540-221-4444
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2020 09:38
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

That would help, but they need more detail of the dates.  If that other customer is due next week and the PO doesn't come in until AFTER next week, then they can't poach items.  If it's the other way around, they can.

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2020 09:33
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Could they change the setup to include the quantity on PO in the quantity available?

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Assistant to the Traveling Secretary

Dunno enough about it.  (Or NOTHING about it except the name, actually.)

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2020 09:58
From: Jeff Schwenk
Subject: Inventory min MRP

What about Purchase Agent from Scanco?

------------------------------
Jeff Schwenk
FORMER 90M Board Member
Bottomline Software, Inc.
Waynesboro VA
540-221-4444
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2020 09:38
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

That would help, but they need more detail of the dates.  If that other customer is due next week and the PO doesn't come in until AFTER next week, then they can't poach items.  If it's the other way around, they can.

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625


Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2020 09:33
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Could they change the setup to include the quantity on PO in the quantity available?

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Assistant to the Traveling Secretary

Does SIA drill down into dates like that?

------------------------------
Kevin Moyes
Technical Systems Analyst
Munjal White Consulting Co.
Toronto ON
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2020 09:38
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

That would help, but they need more detail of the dates.  If that other customer is due next week and the PO doesn't come in until AFTER next week, then they can't poach items.  If it's the other way around, they can.

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2020 09:33
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Could they change the setup to include the quantity on PO in the quantity available?

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Assistant to the Traveling Secretary

The issue with SIA is that it's not realtime.

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2020 10:19
From: Kevin Moyes
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Does SIA drill down into dates like that?

------------------------------
Kevin Moyes
Technical Systems Analyst
Munjal White Consulting Co.
Toronto ON
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2020 09:38
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

That would help, but they need more detail of the dates.  If that other customer is due next week and the PO doesn't come in until AFTER next week, then they can't poach items.  If it's the other way around, they can.

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625


Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2020 09:33
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Could they change the setup to include the quantity on PO in the quantity available?

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Assistant to the Traveling Secretary

Roll your own with Power Query! Refreshes in under 10 seconds.
Summary query by ItemCode on the left (col's A-U). Schedule query by matching ItemCode quantity on the right with PO # & Required Date.


​

------------------------------
Dan Burleson
Software Consultant
Connex Software
Corvallis OR
541-224-6642
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2020 10:46
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

The issue with SIA is that it's not realtime.

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2020 10:19
From: Kevin Moyes
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Does SIA drill down into dates like that?

------------------------------
Kevin Moyes
Technical Systems Analyst
Munjal White Consulting Co.
Toronto ON


Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2020 09:38
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

That would help, but they need more detail of the dates.  If that other customer is due next week and the PO doesn't come in until AFTER next week, then they can't poach items.  If it's the other way around, they can.

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625


Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2020 09:33
From: Doug Higgs
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Could they change the setup to include the quantity on PO in the quantity available?

------------------------------
Doug Higgs
Midwest Commerce Solutions, Inc
(312) 315-0960
Assistant to the Traveling Secretary

There was a webinar last week with Netstock (SIA) and Scanco specifically meant to compare and contrast the two. It was very much worth the time. Scanco now calls the PA "Inventory Requirements Planning", IRP. and it replaces  Ask Russ Graf or Darin Steward to get the recording; I suspect that between the two your customer can meets their needs and maybe more.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112
------------------------------

Here's a link to the recording from Sage: mtaylor@cs3technology.com?registrantKey=3668815622359469826&type=ABSENTEEEMAILRECORDINGLINK" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch Recording

------------------------------
Michelle Taylor
ERP Consulting Manager, CS3 Technology
918-388-9772
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 10:53
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Inventory min MRP

There was a webinar last week with Netstock (SIA) and Scanco specifically meant to compare and contrast the two. It was very much worth the time. Scanco now calls the PA "Inventory Requirements Planning", IRP. and it replaces  Ask Russ Graf or Darin Steward to get the recording; I suspect that between the two your customer can meets their needs and maybe more.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 6/18/2020 10:58:00 AM
From: Michelle Taylor
Subject: RE: Inventory min MRP

Here's a link to the recording from Sage: mtaylor@cs3technology.com?registrantKey=3668815622359469826&type=ABSENTEEEMAILRECORDINGLINK" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch Recording

------------------------------
Michelle Taylor
ERP Consulting Manager, CS3 Technology
918-388-9772
------------------------------

Not exactly, @Jerry Norman.  As mentioned, SIA is only updated nightly.  IRP doesn't have the detailed layout that MRP currently does, which is really what these clients need to see to make an informed decision.  Both SIA and IRP are designed more to help with PURCHASING decisions, and this client needs help with SALES/LOGISTICS decisions.

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 10:53
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Inventory min MRP

There was a webinar last week with Netstock (SIA) and Scanco specifically meant to compare and contrast the two. It was very much worth the time. Scanco now calls the PA "Inventory Requirements Planning", IRP. and it replaces  Ask Russ Graf or Darin Steward to get the recording; I suspect that between the two your customer can meets their needs and maybe more.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112
------------------------------

OK, I didn't fully understand your initial description; my bad.

This sounds like a solution they cobbled together some time ago to fit the tools available (MRP). It seems to me that their fundamental problem here is determining correct EOQ for the long-lead items. I do understand the drive to aggressive lean inventory, I wonder what they'd come up with if they stepped back and completely rethought the problem. I don't want to say their the only ones with this problem, but when I encounter a customer in a mainstream business (distribution) with seemingly unique processes, I always wonder.

Dan's Power Query creatively patches the current hole. But why Interactive? Can't the rule it uses be expanded to produce a daily/weekly of products eligible for "poaching?"

Alternatively, the sales process could change to issuing "tentative" order due to low inventory and then confirming or rescinding to the customer the next day. That follow up could be automated (Alerts) or used as an excuse to broaden the discussion with the customer.  If they are running so lean, then these are not cheap products, meaning there is an opportunity for increasing the perceived value to the customer.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:01
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Not exactly, @Jerry Norman.  As mentioned, SIA is only updated nightly.  IRP doesn't have the detailed layout that MRP currently does, which is really what these clients need to see to make an informed decision.  Both SIA and IRP are designed more to help with PURCHASING decisions, and this client needs help with SALES/LOGISTICS decisions.

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 10:53
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Inventory min MRP

There was a webinar last week with Netstock (SIA) and Scanco specifically meant to compare and contrast the two. It was very much worth the time. Scanco now calls the PA "Inventory Requirements Planning", IRP. and it replaces  Ask Russ Graf or Darin Steward to get the recording; I suspect that between the two your customer can meets their needs and maybe more.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112

They do not HAVE a solution - I'm saying that MRP would actually BE a solution for them, but I can no longer sell MRP to anyone (and I am making an assumption on this since you can't sell WO anymore - I would love to be wrong on that).  This is a multi-state company and having to follow up on orders the next day would be a non-starter.  They just need an easy way to see when their other outstanding orders are due on an item and when the PO is coming in, in order to determine whether they can poach their local product OR if they need to place the order from one of their other warehouses (which I assume may mean higher freight cost to get to their local client, or even a warehouse transfer if the client picks up their own product).

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:30
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Inventory min MRP

OK, I didn't fully understand your initial description; my bad.

This sounds like a solution they cobbled together some time ago to fit the tools available (MRP). It seems to me that their fundamental problem here is determining correct EOQ for the long-lead items. I do understand the drive to aggressive lean inventory, I wonder what they'd come up with if they stepped back and completely rethought the problem. I don't want to say their the only ones with this problem, but when I encounter a customer in a mainstream business (distribution) with seemingly unique processes, I always wonder.

Dan's Power Query creatively patches the current hole. But why Interactive? Can't the rule it uses be expanded to produce a daily/weekly of products eligible for "poaching?"

Alternatively, the sales process could change to issuing "tentative" order due to low inventory and then confirming or rescinding to the customer the next day. That follow up could be automated (Alerts) or used as an excuse to broaden the discussion with the customer.  If they are running so lean, then these are not cheap products, meaning there is an opportunity for increasing the perceived value to the customer.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:01
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Not exactly, @Jerry Norman.  As mentioned, SIA is only updated nightly.  IRP doesn't have the detailed layout that MRP currently does, which is really what these clients need to see to make an informed decision.  Both SIA and IRP are designed more to help with PURCHASING decisions, and this client needs help with SALES/LOGISTICS decisions.

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 10:53
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Inventory min MRP

There was a webinar last week with Netstock (SIA) and Scanco specifically meant to compare and contrast the two. It was very much worth the time. Scanco now calls the PA "Inventory Requirements Planning", IRP. and it replaces  Ask Russ Graf or Darin Steward to get the recording; I suspect that between the two your customer can meets their needs and maybe more.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112

Beth, seems to me the quickie lookup method is easiest in the very short term. The rest of my ranting is meant to expand the consideration set, looking for other ways that you could help the client. 

Multi-state, multi-warehouse operation raises other questions and concerns. Do they have the tools to analyze demand by state/whse? How do they handle stock leveling between whses? Do they actually know what the EOQ points for their various products are, or is this focus on very-lean creating false savings? Again, they aren't the only company with roughly this need; why don't we encounter the request more often? 

Some clients really don't want to go beyond the initial solution request; I get that. Asking too many questions could be like teaching a pig to sing in this case. I have pressed the point here because in my blessed ignorant state with this customer, I smell a significant value-creation opportunity for you; but as my wife could tell you, my nose is quite unreliable ...

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:39
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

They do not HAVE a solution - I'm saying that MRP would actually BE a solution for them, but I can no longer sell MRP to anyone (and I am making an assumption on this since you can't sell WO anymore - I would love to be wrong on that).  This is a multi-state company and having to follow up on orders the next day would be a non-starter.  They just need an easy way to see when their other outstanding orders are due on an item and when the PO is coming in, in order to determine whether they can poach their local product OR if they need to place the order from one of their other warehouses (which I assume may mean higher freight cost to get to their local client, or even a warehouse transfer if the client picks up their own product).

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:30
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Inventory min MRP

OK, I didn't fully understand your initial description; my bad.

This sounds like a solution they cobbled together some time ago to fit the tools available (MRP). It seems to me that their fundamental problem here is determining correct EOQ for the long-lead items. I do understand the drive to aggressive lean inventory, I wonder what they'd come up with if they stepped back and completely rethought the problem. I don't want to say their the only ones with this problem, but when I encounter a customer in a mainstream business (distribution) with seemingly unique processes, I always wonder.

Dan's Power Query creatively patches the current hole. But why Interactive? Can't the rule it uses be expanded to produce a daily/weekly of products eligible for "poaching?"

Alternatively, the sales process could change to issuing "tentative" order due to low inventory and then confirming or rescinding to the customer the next day. That follow up could be automated (Alerts) or used as an excuse to broaden the discussion with the customer.  If they are running so lean, then these are not cheap products, meaning there is an opportunity for increasing the perceived value to the customer.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:01
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Not exactly, @Jerry Norman.  As mentioned, SIA is only updated nightly.  IRP doesn't have the detailed layout that MRP currently does, which is really what these clients need to see to make an informed decision.  Both SIA and IRP are designed more to help with PURCHASING decisions, and this client needs help with SALES/LOGISTICS decisions.

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 10:53
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Inventory min MRP

There was a webinar last week with Netstock (SIA) and Scanco specifically meant to compare and contrast the two. It was very much worth the time. Scanco now calls the PA "Inventory Requirements Planning", IRP. and it replaces  Ask Russ Graf or Darin Steward to get the recording; I suspect that between the two your customer can meets their needs and maybe more.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112

@Jerry Norman - I get it, and they really seem to have their purchasing down, and they are current users of Sage Inventory Advisor.​

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:59
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Beth, seems to me the quickie lookup method is easiest in the very short term. The rest of my ranting is meant to expand the consideration set, looking for other ways that you could help the client.

Multi-state, multi-warehouse operation raises other questions and concerns. Do they have the tools to analyze demand by state/whse? How do they handle stock leveling between whses? Do they actually know what the EOQ points for their various products are, or is this focus on very-lean creating false savings? Again, they aren't the only company with roughly this need; why don't we encounter the request more often?

Some clients really don't want to go beyond the initial solution request; I get that. Asking too many questions could be like teaching a pig to sing in this case. I have pressed the point here because in my blessed ignorant state with this customer, I smell a significant value-creation opportunity for you; but as my wife could tell you, my nose is quite unreliable ...

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:39
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

They do not HAVE a solution - I'm saying that MRP would actually BE a solution for them, but I can no longer sell MRP to anyone (and I am making an assumption on this since you can't sell WO anymore - I would love to be wrong on that).  This is a multi-state company and having to follow up on orders the next day would be a non-starter.  They just need an easy way to see when their other outstanding orders are due on an item and when the PO is coming in, in order to determine whether they can poach their local product OR if they need to place the order from one of their other warehouses (which I assume may mean higher freight cost to get to their local client, or even a warehouse transfer if the client picks up their own product).

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:30
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Inventory min MRP

OK, I didn't fully understand your initial description; my bad.

This sounds like a solution they cobbled together some time ago to fit the tools available (MRP). It seems to me that their fundamental problem here is determining correct EOQ for the long-lead items. I do understand the drive to aggressive lean inventory, I wonder what they'd come up with if they stepped back and completely rethought the problem. I don't want to say their the only ones with this problem, but when I encounter a customer in a mainstream business (distribution) with seemingly unique processes, I always wonder.

Dan's Power Query creatively patches the current hole. But why Interactive? Can't the rule it uses be expanded to produce a daily/weekly of products eligible for "poaching?"

Alternatively, the sales process could change to issuing "tentative" order due to low inventory and then confirming or rescinding to the customer the next day. That follow up could be automated (Alerts) or used as an excuse to broaden the discussion with the customer.  If they are running so lean, then these are not cheap products, meaning there is an opportunity for increasing the perceived value to the customer.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:01
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Not exactly, @Jerry Norman.  As mentioned, SIA is only updated nightly.  IRP doesn't have the detailed layout that MRP currently does, which is really what these clients need to see to make an informed decision.  Both SIA and IRP are designed more to help with PURCHASING decisions, and this client needs help with SALES/LOGISTICS decisions.

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 10:53
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Inventory min MRP

There was a webinar last week with Netstock (SIA) and Scanco specifically meant to compare and contrast the two. It was very much worth the time. Scanco now calls the PA "Inventory Requirements Planning", IRP. and it replaces  Ask Russ Graf or Darin Steward to get the recording; I suspect that between the two your customer can meets their needs and maybe more.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112

Good to hear! Thanks for your patience with me.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 12:02
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

@Jerry Norman - I get it, and they really seem to have their purchasing down, and they are current users of Sage Inventory Advisor.​

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:59
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Beth, seems to me the quickie lookup method is easiest in the very short term. The rest of my ranting is meant to expand the consideration set, looking for other ways that you could help the client.

Multi-state, multi-warehouse operation raises other questions and concerns. Do they have the tools to analyze demand by state/whse? How do they handle stock leveling between whses? Do they actually know what the EOQ points for their various products are, or is this focus on very-lean creating false savings? Again, they aren't the only company with roughly this need; why don't we encounter the request more often?

Some clients really don't want to go beyond the initial solution request; I get that. Asking too many questions could be like teaching a pig to sing in this case. I have pressed the point here because in my blessed ignorant state with this customer, I smell a significant value-creation opportunity for you; but as my wife could tell you, my nose is quite unreliable ...

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:39
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

They do not HAVE a solution - I'm saying that MRP would actually BE a solution for them, but I can no longer sell MRP to anyone (and I am making an assumption on this since you can't sell WO anymore - I would love to be wrong on that).  This is a multi-state company and having to follow up on orders the next day would be a non-starter.  They just need an easy way to see when their other outstanding orders are due on an item and when the PO is coming in, in order to determine whether they can poach their local product OR if they need to place the order from one of their other warehouses (which I assume may mean higher freight cost to get to their local client, or even a warehouse transfer if the client picks up their own product).

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:30
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Inventory min MRP

OK, I didn't fully understand your initial description; my bad.

This sounds like a solution they cobbled together some time ago to fit the tools available (MRP). It seems to me that their fundamental problem here is determining correct EOQ for the long-lead items. I do understand the drive to aggressive lean inventory, I wonder what they'd come up with if they stepped back and completely rethought the problem. I don't want to say their the only ones with this problem, but when I encounter a customer in a mainstream business (distribution) with seemingly unique processes, I always wonder.

Dan's Power Query creatively patches the current hole. But why Interactive? Can't the rule it uses be expanded to produce a daily/weekly of products eligible for "poaching?"

Alternatively, the sales process could change to issuing "tentative" order due to low inventory and then confirming or rescinding to the customer the next day. That follow up could be automated (Alerts) or used as an excuse to broaden the discussion with the customer.  If they are running so lean, then these are not cheap products, meaning there is an opportunity for increasing the perceived value to the customer.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:01
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Not exactly, @Jerry Norman.  As mentioned, SIA is only updated nightly.  IRP doesn't have the detailed layout that MRP currently does, which is really what these clients need to see to make an informed decision.  Both SIA and IRP are designed more to help with PURCHASING decisions, and this client needs help with SALES/LOGISTICS decisions.

------------------------------
Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 10:53
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Inventory min MRP

There was a webinar last week with Netstock (SIA) and Scanco specifically meant to compare and contrast the two. It was very much worth the time. Scanco now calls the PA "Inventory Requirements Planning", IRP. and it replaces  Ask Russ Graf or Darin Steward to get the recording; I suspect that between the two your customer can meets their needs and maybe more.

------------------------------
Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112

I take this kind of request as an opportunity to suggest / build a custom reporting solution. 
When it is Premium, I write SQL Views to consolidate data (from all the different sources... SO / PO / IM...) in the shape I want, then design a custom report which shows what the customer wants to see.  For non-Premium, a SQL Express based solution is sometimes necessary (avoiding sub-reports which take forever to run).
Power Query may get you to the same place, but I tend to stick with what I know.

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Kevin Moyes
Technical Systems Analyst
Munjal White Consulting Co.
Toronto ON
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 12:02
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

@Jerry Norman - I get it, and they really seem to have their purchasing down, and they are current users of Sage Inventory Advisor.​

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Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:59
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Beth, seems to me the quickie lookup method is easiest in the very short term. The rest of my ranting is meant to expand the consideration set, looking for other ways that you could help the client.

Multi-state, multi-warehouse operation raises other questions and concerns. Do they have the tools to analyze demand by state/whse? How do they handle stock leveling between whses? Do they actually know what the EOQ points for their various products are, or is this focus on very-lean creating false savings? Again, they aren't the only company with roughly this need; why don't we encounter the request more often?

Some clients really don't want to go beyond the initial solution request; I get that. Asking too many questions could be like teaching a pig to sing in this case. I have pressed the point here because in my blessed ignorant state with this customer, I smell a significant value-creation opportunity for you; but as my wife could tell you, my nose is quite unreliable ...

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Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:39
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

They do not HAVE a solution - I'm saying that MRP would actually BE a solution for them, but I can no longer sell MRP to anyone (and I am making an assumption on this since you can't sell WO anymore - I would love to be wrong on that).  This is a multi-state company and having to follow up on orders the next day would be a non-starter.  They just need an easy way to see when their other outstanding orders are due on an item and when the PO is coming in, in order to determine whether they can poach their local product OR if they need to place the order from one of their other warehouses (which I assume may mean higher freight cost to get to their local client, or even a warehouse transfer if the client picks up their own product).

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Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:30
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Inventory min MRP

OK, I didn't fully understand your initial description; my bad.

This sounds like a solution they cobbled together some time ago to fit the tools available (MRP). It seems to me that their fundamental problem here is determining correct EOQ for the long-lead items. I do understand the drive to aggressive lean inventory, I wonder what they'd come up with if they stepped back and completely rethought the problem. I don't want to say their the only ones with this problem, but when I encounter a customer in a mainstream business (distribution) with seemingly unique processes, I always wonder.

Dan's Power Query creatively patches the current hole. But why Interactive? Can't the rule it uses be expanded to produce a daily/weekly of products eligible for "poaching?"

Alternatively, the sales process could change to issuing "tentative" order due to low inventory and then confirming or rescinding to the customer the next day. That follow up could be automated (Alerts) or used as an excuse to broaden the discussion with the customer.  If they are running so lean, then these are not cheap products, meaning there is an opportunity for increasing the perceived value to the customer.

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Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 11:01
From: Beth Bowers
Subject: Inventory min MRP

Not exactly, @Jerry Norman.  As mentioned, SIA is only updated nightly.  IRP doesn't have the detailed layout that MRP currently does, which is really what these clients need to see to make an informed decision.  Both SIA and IRP are designed more to help with PURCHASING decisions, and this client needs help with SALES/LOGISTICS decisions.

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Beth Bowers
Mom to Samson, Peanut, ChiChi, Canton, Cagney and Daisy (NO Oxford comma - shriek!)
Beth Bowers
269-445-1625


Original Message:
Sent: 06-18-2020 10:53
From: Jerry Norman
Subject: Inventory min MRP

There was a webinar last week with Netstock (SIA) and Scanco specifically meant to compare and contrast the two. It was very much worth the time. Scanco now calls the PA "Inventory Requirements Planning", IRP. and it replaces  Ask Russ Graf or Darin Steward to get the recording; I suspect that between the two your customer can meets their needs and maybe more.

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Jerry Norman
VP, 90 Minds
Smartbridge Partners
512.419.1444 x112