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Home > Practice Areas > Sales Production Inventory (SPI Planning)

SALES PRODUCTION INVENTORY (SPI PLANNING)

SPI is a process for successful planning of sales, production, and inventories.

A rational aggregate production plan is extremely important in the ERP environment.

In the Lean Manufacturing world, it is even more critical—by orders of magnitude.

Manufacturing companies are discovering the keys to global competitiveness. Those who successfully apply the technologies and philosophies of Lean manufacturing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) are funning away from the competition. There is no lack of knowledge about these tools, yet many manufacturers falter, and often fail outright, in their implementation attempts.

Q: Why is it so difficult for them to fully implement these superbly beneficial technologies?

A: It is generally acknowledged that for Lean Manufacturing and ERP to work, top level SALES, PRODUCTION, AND INVENTORY (SPI) planning must be sound. But the planning process is complex and difficult. The necessary data is resident in different departments, there is insufficient understanding of the mechanics of effective SPI planning, and companies lack proper planning tools.

SPI is a process, usually computer based, that provides aggregate planning of sales, production, and inventory at the product family level.

Even the most complex manufacturing situation can be effectively controlled with the help of carefully developed SPI reports. Forecast data and historical performance in one easy-to-understand report enable fast, high quality decisions that insure the validity and stability of master schedule inputs.

SPI PLANNING PROCESS

  • Review Month-End Results
  •  • Inventory
  •  • Customer Orders
     • Customer Shipments
     • Production
    SPI Coordination Meeting
     • Update Customer Order Forecast
     • Update Shipment Forecast
     • Review Inventory/Backlog Status
     • Establish Monthly Production Plan
    SPI Management Review
     • Capacity Analysis
     • Financial Analysis
     • Manufacturing Plan
     • Executive Summary
    Establish Master Production Schedule
    Run MRP and Execute

WHAT SPI WILL DO FOR YOU

SPI Planning will move you quickly toward achieving the full benefits of your Lean/ERP programs:

  • • Higher Quality Products
  • • Lower Unit Costs
  • • Improved Asset Utilization
  • • Better Customer Service

This success will come as top management teamwork develops around the SPI planning process. We have talked for years about “top management involvement” in Lean Manufacturing and ERP. But, we have not supported top level people with appropriate tools and training. Now, TCA has developed programs to provide that critical support. With effective SPI you will close the gap and pave the way for World Class performance.


TCA’S SUPPORT CAPABILITIES

TCA has developed a step-wise approach to implementing SPI with minimum disruption and expense. Our team of SPI experts, systems developers and training specialists will provide support throughout the implementation process. TCA’s capabilities include:

    • Deep Expertise in SPI, Lean Manufacturing, and ERP
    • Structured SPI Policies and Procedures
    • Systems Development
       - Requirements Definition
       - Programming Support
    • Implementation Support
       - Education and Training
       - Technical Assistance

Contact Us for a Free Assessment!