2011 ANNUAL NATIONAL

DEMAND SOLUTIONS CONFERENCE

…at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa,
Kingscliff on the Tweed Coast, New South Wales

The 2011 Demand Solutions™ client conference was held at the Pepper Salt Resort & Spa, Kingscliff.

The location proved to be exciting, relaxing and conducive to participating in a great learning experience.

With the theme “That the Jewel in the Crown of an Integrated Business Plan is an Effective Demand Plan”.  The conference emphasis was on the Business Management applications for the Demand Solutions™ softwares.

Let the delegates speak for themselves.

The delegates were asked to send a Postcard to their colleagues back at their respective offices’.  Throughout presentations is a random selection of postcard comments written by conference delegates.

“Flight was good, long day by the time we arrived.  Conference is good, learning a lot – hope to bring back some tricks to show you.  Played lawn bowls last night – lots of giggles.”
- Cathryn Terry-Conlon, John Sands

“Wish you were here, so you could learn what forecasting is all about.  Number crunching can be so much fun.”
- Anonymous

Nick Mason – Demand Manager, MSD Animal Health

Nick provided insights into the people & business issues involved in launching the S&OP process within their organisation.

Nick identified many of the issues faced by many organisations as they struggle to establish the S&OP process.

Some key points he listed:-

• importance of TRUST across all levels of the business team
• defining level of DETAIL appropriate for the operation
• recognition by all involved of the PURPOSE
• taking “an altitude view”
• the goal is for the process to become “the way we do things around here”

“We are having a great time here at the DS conference… We are learning lots and getting some good ideas… Hope all is good back there!”
- Natalie Gray, Snack Brands Australia

“Having a cracker of a time down at the DS conference.  Absorbing heaps during the day and just going nuts afterwards.  Fun as fun can be.  The guys at DS, absolute fantastic bunch of people. LOL.”
- Javed Khan, Crest Electronics

Felix Langthaller – Inventory Manager, Ingram Micro

Felix delivered an enthusiastic explanation of Ingram Micro’s practical approach to managing a large range of products from a wide variety of vendors.

• with emphasis on data integrity
• segmentation of data
• manage inventory through vendor groups and strong application of the ABC ranking principle – “one size does not fit all”
• measure scenarios with different inventory settings and find the model that best fits your business requirements
• working with the DSFM/DSRP modules Ingram Micro demonstrated Service level improvements, Sales value increased, Inventory reduced, on the back of forecast accuracy improvements.

“Too much to learn, too little time!  You would have loved to be here, NZ needs all the help it can get!”
- Catherina Lim, Smith & Nephew

“Had a good conference with lots of useful, easy to understand hints and improvements!  We have a lot to do and lots of opportunities to take advantage of!  It was great to learn in a great location!”
- Helen Wheeler, Knorr Bremse Australia

“Hope you’re holding the fort.  Plenty of analysis happening here to keep us busy for a while.”
- Tim Billington, CSL Biotherapies

Budgeting made easy with Demand Solutions™ led by Sam Fitzgerald

• This workshop steered delegates through a range of functions available within Demand Solutions™ to support the Budgeting process.
• Populating DSFM with Budget information at Product Category in Dollars
• Developing the Budget within Demand Solutions™ from line item level to Business Plan level in Dollars
• Monitoring the Forecast performance against the Budget

Business Plan preparation for the S&OP meeting led by Nadine Fogale

• The hands on workshop explored DSFM functionality to consider the forecast “direction” compared with business strategy plan
• Displaying information to facilitate a “sanity” check of the data as preparation for the S&OP business meetings cycle
• Establishing and reviewing the Brand level aggregation forecasts
• Drilling into forecast misalignments with filters & ranges

“What a great experience! Met lots of people.  Thanks for sending me to the DMS conference.”
- Jeff Zhang, Exafast

“Having a great time here! Learning new things and Tiz is keeping us busy with her random activities!  Wish you were all here! Can I come back to the conference next year?!”
- Moria Hariza, Lonely Planet Publications

One Forecast validated by multiple data streams led by Tony Fitzgerald

In Tony’s own educational style this workshop highlighted the variety of information available within DSFM for the refinement of a “consensus” forecast

• the handling of customer collaboration with key customers utilising DS Pipeline
• populated data arrays to incorporate forecasts into the Demand Plan
• enhance management of New Product demand via “scan data”

“Having fun, learning new tricks, used play dough, straws.  Met colleagues from last seminar.  Bus ride was fun to the bowls club.  Playing bowls in the cold; enjoyed the wine.”
- Anita Narayan, Sanofi-Aventis Australia

“Hi we’re having fun, lots of laughs, great games, won a beer stein last night.”
- Julie Grebe, Sanofi-Aventis Australia