Supply Chain Planning (SCP)

What Does Supply Chain Planning Cover?

SCP is an umbrella term that typically includes the following planning areas:

• Demand Planning
  Forecasting how much you expect to sell based on data, seasonal trends, and customer behavior.

• Procurement Planning
  Determining when and how much to order from suppliers to meet demand without overstocking.

• Production Planning
  If you manufacture products yourself, this involves planning what to produce, when to produce it, and in what quantities.

• Inventory Planning
  Calculating optimal stock levels, minimum thresholds, and reorder points to keep inventory balanced.

• Distribution Planning
  Planning shipments and deliveries to ensure products reach your customers on time.

All of these areas are closely connected – and the better your data and processes are, the more accurate and efficient your planning will be.

What Does SCP Have to Do with Inventory Management?

A lot. Inventory is the central element in the entire supply chain, which makes accurate inventory management a key prerequisite for successful supply chain planning.

If you don’t have clear insight into your inventory – or don’t know where your products are located – you risk:

• Reordering items you already have

• Failing to deliver on time

• Tying up capital in excess stock

• Disappointing customers and damaging your reputation

This is where a WMS (Warehouse Management System) like Rackbeat becomes essential. A modern WMS ensures that your inventory data is always up to date and accessible in real time – which is exactly the kind of insight SCP depends on.

How Does Rackbeat Support Your Supply Chain Planning?

While Rackbeat is not a full-fledged SCP system, it supports several core functions that make it easier to plan and optimize your supply chain – particularly in the areas of:

• Inventory Management
  Get real-time insights into stock levels, backorders, and available items across multiple warehouse locations.

• Purchasing  Management
  Create and send purchase orders easily. You can set minimum stock levels and receive alerts when it’s time to reorder – helping you avoid running out of critical items.

• Order Management
  Handle sales orders efficiently and keep track of which orders have been picked, shipped, and invoiced. When sales data and inventory data are connected, it’s much easier to predict demand and plan accordingly.

• EAN and barcode scanning
  Use EAN-13 barcodes and handheld scanners to pick, receive, and count products faster – and with fewer errors. Rackbeat automatically updates inventory records based on your scans.

• Integration with accounting and e-commerce
  When your systems are connected, you create a cohesive and data-driven supply chain – from order to delivery and restocking.

Rackbeat works as a flexible and user-friendly foundation that supports your supply chain decisions and makes them much more actionable in your daily operations.

Who Benefits from SCP?

Supply Chain Planning is relevant for a wide range of companies – especially those dealing with physical goods and complex product flows. Here are some of the most common business types:

• Manufacturers
  That need to balance raw material purchases, production timelines, and customer deliveries. SCP helps keep production flowing and minimizes downtime.

• Wholesalers and Distributors
  Who manage a large number of SKUs, suppliers, and customers. These businesses rely on a WMS and strong procurement and order management to deliver quickly and accurately.

• Webshops
  That require ongoing adjustments to stock and purchasing based on live sales data. With properly configured inventory management and integration to your webshop and accounting system, your supply chain becomes far more efficient.

• Growing businesses
  That want to scale without losing control. SCP ensures your growth is sustainable and your resources are used optimally – especially when your inventory, orders, and purchasing are all centralized in one system.

Whether you operate from a single location or manage multiple warehouses, your supply chain becomes stronger when your inventory management, order management, and procurement planning are connected to your overall business planning.

Want to Strengthen Your Supply Chain with Better Inventory Control?

Book a free, no-obligation online meeting with one of our advisors. Together, we can review:

• How Rackbeat can support your supply chain with WMS functionality

• How to work smarter with EAN, product numbers, and handheld scanners

• How to optimize your procurement and order management processes

• How to build a more data-driven and efficient inventory flow

Book your meeting here – we look forward to helping you take control of your supply chain:

Related Terms:

• Supply Chain

• Supply Chain Management

• Supply Chain Visibility (SCV)

• Inventory Management

• Purchasing Management

• Order Management

• Picking List

• Batch Number