David Trenholm

Special Guest Blog Post written by Chris Cunnane with InterSystems   Demand sensing and demand forecasting are both crucial aspects of optimizing supply chains, but they do have slightly different functions in their approach and focus. Demand sensing uses real-time data and analytics to identify and respond to immediate demand fluctuations, while demand forecasting uses historical data to predict future demand over a longer period (months or years). Different methods, such as statistical modeling and machine learning, are used to enhance the accuracy and adaptability of these processes. Both areas are crucial for companies when it comes to projecting sales, managing inventory, and coordinating replenishment. In the end, the goal is to accurately predict customer demand by using predictive models to forecast future demand. InterSystems surveyed 450 senior supply chain practitioners and stakeholders to examine key supply chain technology challenges, trends, and decision-making strategies across five key use cases: fulfillment optimization; demand sensing and forecasting; supply chain orchestration; production planning optimization; and environmental, social, and governance (ESG). This blog focuses on demand sensing and forecasting.   Current State of Demand Sensing and Forecasting According to the survey results, when asked how they currently forecast demand, 36% of respondents indicated that…

This post is written by our friends at e2open. E2open is the connected supply chain software platform that enables the world’s largest companies to transform the way they make, move, and sell goods and services. Moving as one.™ Learn More: www.e2open.com.   Supply chains are entering a pivotal stretch of highway into the future. It’s a route marked by regulatory detours, geopolitical potholes, and rising expectations for speed, intelligence, and resilience. The journey ahead demands connected data, embedded AI, and agile decision-making. Below are the five major “mile markers” defining the road to supply chain transformation, and how e2open helps organizations navigate the way forward with confidence.   1. Tariff and non‑tariff compliance risks: avoiding costly road hazards Tariff volatility and non‑tariff barriers create regulatory road conditions that can change quickly. For cost-focused leaders, this unpredictability can feel like driving through dense fog. One wrong move can result in delays, penalties, or unplanned expenses. Forward‑thinking organizations are installing automated guardrails: integrated trade compliance systems, dynamic landed‑cost modeling, and synchronized import/export workflows. These tools help reduce blind spots and ensure companies don’t veer into costly territory. The e2open Global Trade suite puts the world’s most comprehensive, continuously updated regulatory content directly…