Real-Time S&op: Working to Make the Plan, Then Making the Plan Work

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the technologies and business processes needed to frame a successful Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process. The paper discusses how to obtain the necessary information inputs to produce, communicate, align, and execute complex supply chain plans - plus how to "Sense and resolve" disruptions as they occur in the extended network. A business network, consisting of a cloud-based trading partner connectivity layer plus business process management and analytical tools, is a key enabler of all three of these objectives.