All posts by Deanna Wenstrup

Deanna has 28 years of experience in production scheduling and planning, linear program and expert systems design, development, implementation, and interfacing to external databases.

Manufacturing Scheduling Software: From AspenTech MIMI to AspenTech SCM and Beyond

Manufacturing scheduling software
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Times are changing – and so are supply chains and the manufacturing scheduling software that helps keep them humming. Manufacturers, warehouses, retailers, distribution centers, and transportation providers are re-examining the way they approach business. The challenge is clear: to combat supply chain disruptions, implement new omnichannel fulfillment strategies, and help expand new markets and emerging …
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Effects of Highly Seasonal Demand on a Supply Chain

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What is Seasonal Demand? During the holidays, when we’re continuously flooded with the next themed decor, or Starbucks Coffee drink, or seasonal dinner dish, I’m constantly reminded that these goods are purposefully designed to be consumed at a particular time of year. To get these goods to consumers, including myself, supply chain professionals have worked …
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Port Congestion: How to Overcome Supply Chain Delays

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2021 has been a difficult year for supply chains around the world. A continuing global pandemic, labor shortages, skyrocketing commodity costs, unprecedented raw material shortages and supply chain delays continue to plague companies that need to transport goods. Ports around the world are now struggling with congestion, and there is no relief in sight. Why …
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Rethink Your Retail Demand Planning Methods Post-COVID-19

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Retail demand planning is a key aspect of supply chain optimization. Understanding and predicting how much stock to have on-hand to appease consumer demand at any given time helps dictate the retailer’s manufacturing and shipping needs. Not surprisingly, consumer demand can change rapidly based on environmental, economic and geo-political influences. A couple years ago, I …
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Apple and the Achilles Heel of the Global Supply Chain

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In just a short time, the year 2020 has introduced the average person to phrases unheard only three months ago – social distancing, N95 masks, PPE, and Global Supply Chain. As the COVID-19 virus spread around the world, countries went under lockdown as they tried to “bend the curve” on the spread of the virus. …
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Tardigrades can survive anything…. Can your Supply Chain?

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Tardigrades, which are often called water bears, are nearly microscopic. Although they are usually water dwelling creatures, they can be found in Antarctic ice, ocean depths of 14,000 feet and in the Himalayas at a height of 20,000 ft. They can survive just about anywhere, including outer space. Fossils of tardigrades have been found in …
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Supply Chain Challenges during the Retail Recession

Supply Chain Challenges
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Last summer we were having dinner with some friends. One of the people at the table worked for DineEquity, the parent company of Applebee’s. He proceeded to tell us about the current initiative to redo the cooking equipment in all Applebee restaurants with wood-fired grills. They were going to introduce wood fired steak, chicken, pork …
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