Supply planning

Supply planning that finds the optimal plan.

The supply optimisers turn every forecast into the optimal plan across inventory, distribution, procurement and production. Approved decisions flow into the plan and the ERP, with owner and reasoning logged.

This weekExceptionsERP
Optimisers
Example · one supply plan across four modules
Inventory
Stock targets
1,180 items
Distribution
Transfers
3 proposed
Procurement
Purchase orders
12 proposed
Production
Load
Line 2 over in W15
Changes to review · ranked
1
InventoryRaise safety stock · SKU-4471 at DC NorthService risk in weeks 12–13
AcceptIn the ERP
2
ProcurementBring forward PO · Supplier A960 units to week 14
AcceptIn the ERP
3
ProductionMove 400 units to Line 3Line 2 over capacity in week 15
Accept
Approved decisions go into the plan and the ERP, with owner and reasoning logged
4modules

inventory, distribution, procurement and production in one supply plan

InventoryDistributionProcurementProduction
1data model

shared with demand planning, scheduling and S&OP

DemandSupplyScheduling
LP + MIP

linear and mixed-integer optimisation for distribution, procurement and production

DistributionProcurementProduction
Demand planFrom every signalInventory optimisationStock policy per item and locationDistribution planningLinear and mixed-integerProcurement planningLinear and mixed-integerProduction planningLinear and mixed-integerThe optimal planInto the plan and the ERP
Planone supply plan
Inventory optimisationStock policy per item and location
Distribution planningLinear and mixed-integer
Procurement planningLinear and mixed-integer
Production planningLinear and mixed-integer
The optimal planInto the plan and the ERP

Modules

Four modules, one supply plan.

Start with the module you need most and add the others when you’re ready, without starting again.

Your constraints in

  • Capacity of every line, plant and warehouse.
  • Lead times, minimum orders and batch sizes.
  • Service levels and stock rules per segment.
  • Costs: production, transport, holding and purchasing.

The optimal plan out

  • Stock targets per item and location.
  • Transfers, purchase orders and production orders.
  • The changes that matter, ranked for planners to approve.
  • Approved decisions into the plan and the ERP, with owner and reasoning logged.

FAQ

Supply planning, answered.

What is supply planning?

Supply planning turns the demand plan into what to stock, move, buy and make: stock targets, transfers, purchase orders and production orders, within every capacity and at the lowest cost.

Which modules does Horizon supply planning include?

Inventory optimisation, distribution planning, procurement planning and production planning, with production scheduling and S&OP on the same data and the same plan.

Which optimisation methods does Horizon use?

Inventory optimisation sets the optimal stock policy for every item and location, or follows your own stock rules. Distribution, procurement and production planning use linear and mixed-integer optimisation, and production scheduling uses finite capacity scheduling and mixed-integer programming.

Can we start with one module?

Yes. Start with the module you need most and add the others when you’re ready, without starting again: every module works on the same data model.

How do decisions reach the ERP?

The changes that matter are ranked for planners to approve. Approved decisions flow into the plan and the ERP, with owner and reasoning logged.

How fast can we start?

Start with Horizon Instant: demand planning on your own data, up and running in less than 24 hours. The supply modules then build on the same data model.

See the optimal plan on your own data.

Start with Horizon Instant: demand planning on your own data, up and running in less than 24 hours.