Integrated business planning as the key to synchronised supply chains.
The challenge: planning under pressure
Global market leaders face a paradoxical challenge: planning processes need to become more efficient, while uncertainty is growing. Volatile demand, raw material shortages, ESG requirements and rising costs are compounded by fragmented planning systems, manual processes and silo thinking. Strategic, tactical and operational planning often fail to mesh, and decisions are too often based on outdated data.
The cause usually lies in conflicting objectives (KPIs): Sales chases revenue bonuses, production optimises plant utilisation, and the finance department pushes down inventory levels – with fatal consequences for the overall result. This misalignment is fuelled by a fragmented IT landscape in which inconsistent data from ERP, CRM and countless Excel spreadsheets prevent a clear picture from emerging. Decisions are based on information that is already outdated when it is created.
The consequences: loss of efficiency and flying blind
Without integrated planning, there is no consistent view of demand, capacity, procurement and production. This leads to excess inventory due to production and ordering cascades (bullwhip effect), express costs, poor forecast accuracy and operational friction. Companies lose the ability to take early countermeasures – and pay for it with inefficient processes and wasted potential.
The result: OTIF delivery performance is below that of the top players.
The solution: integrated and holistic supply chain planning
With cbs, you can systematically integrate strategic planning into your end-to-end processes. Our consulting approach combines technology, process understanding and change enablement – for predictable efficiency gains in a volatile environment.
Our planning approach enables:
- Harmonisation of long-term planning, S&OP and operational planning
- Consistent planning logic across demand, supply, inventory and capacity
- Scenario-based decision-making at the touch of a button
- Data consistency and real-time transparency across the entire chain
- Clear process responsibility and agile control mechanisms
The foundation: An integrated, resilient and adaptable planning architecture – with SAP IBP, PP/DS, BTP and AI-supported insights.
From strategy to implementation
Planning excellence achieved by market leaders
Whether global S&OP structures, APO migration or planning templates: manufacturing companies worldwide rely on cbs’ expertise – from architecture and implementation to rollout.
Digital Manufacturing Framework
Das Manufacturing Framework dient als strukturierender Leitstern für die Transformation zur intelligenten Produktion. Es wurde entwickelt, um produzierenden Unternehmen dabei zu helfen, ein unternehmensspezifisches Zielbild zu entwickeln und fokussiert umzusetzen.
In Co-Creation-Workshops erarbeiten wir gemeinsam mit unseren Kunden daraus ein klares, umsetzbares Zielbild für die intelligente Fabrik – und machen Digitalisierung planbar und wirksam.
Was das Framework leistet:
- Es übersetzt strategische Ziele der Produktion in messbare KPIs.
- In 12 Handlungsfeldern werden konkrete Optimierungspotenziale adressiert – vom Planning & Scheduling über Materialfluss und Shopfloor Management bis hin zu IT/OT-Integration, Asset Management und ERP-Anbindung.
- Jedes Handlungsfeld ist mit relevanten Personas, typischen Use Cases und messbaren Erfolgsgrößen unterlegt.
- Es schafft Orientierung bei gewachsenen Strukturen, hilft Silos aufzubrechen und fördert eine integrierte, datenbasierte Produktionssteuerung.
cbs Manufacturing Plateau Model
Das Plateau-Modell beschreibt die Entwicklung Ihrer Manufacturing-Organisation in vier Stufen. Mit jedem Plateau gelangen Sie auf ein nachhaltiges Level, mit dem Sie Ihren Wertbeitrag und die Reife in Ihrer Organisation steigern.
Der Einsatz von KI spielt hierbei eine wichtige Rolle und wird Sie in Ihrem Vorhaben verstärken. Dabei ist es unerheblich, welche Art oder welcher Umfang von KI verwendet wird. Es ist entscheidend, dass Ihr Manufacturing gezielt durch die erforderlichen Fähigkeiten unterstützt und weiterentwickelt wird, um die Unternehmensziele zu erreichen und die relevanten Produktionskennzahlen zu erfüllen.
Results we achieve
Up to 20% greater planning accuracy
By using AI-supported demand planning, scenario models and collaborative S&OP processes, we significantly improve forecast quality – and make planning results more reliable and transparent for all stakeholders.
Up to +35% improvement in working capital
By more precisely matching demand, inventory and supply, we reduce safety stocks and material buffers – without compromising service levels. The result: less tied-up capital and greater financial flexibility.
Up to 50% reduction in overall planning effort
With standardised templates, role-specific workflows and automated processes in SAP IBP, we significantly reduce the workload for planning teams – and create more space for genuine control instead of reactive Excel handling.
Up to +25% improvement in cost of goods sold (COGS)
Through the close integration of planning and operational execution, we enable cost-efficient decisions along the entire value chain. This reduces the direct manufacturing costs of sold products – through improved capacity utilisation, coordinated demand planning and fewer operational friction losses.
Planning is often seen as a chore, but it is actually the strategic control centre of the supply chain. With SAP IBP, we give our customers the ability to make faster, more accurate and more coordinated decisions, rather than reacting blindly.
Sebastian Stadler,
Manager SAP IBP & Competance Area Lead Plan -
Practice Sustainable Supply Chain & Manufacturing
Solutions
How we support you specifically
We view planning as a control process – integrated, continuous and fact-based. Using the plateau model, we structure your transformation into tangible stages with direct benefits. Because success can be planned!
Supply Chain Planning Target Picture
Define your future integrated S&OP target vision, scalable and aligned with your supply chain strategy. We create a robust basis for decision-making for your planning architecture.
Supply Chain Planning Health Check
Identify weaknesses, silos and potential for improvement in your supply chain planning in a structured manner, quickly and with clear recommendations for action to improve control.
Integrated Business Planning
With SAP IBP, we link sales, inventory, capacity and finances into a continuous planning process for better decisions and faster response times.
Inventory Optimization
Optimise your inventory across the entire network with data-driven demand forecasting, targeted replenishment and intelligent safety stock.
Evolving from APO to IBP
We support you in the structured transition to SAP IBP with a clear migration strategy, functional MVP and measurable added value for your planning processes.
AI Driven Supply Chain Analytics
Steigern Sie Ihre Supply-Chain-Effizienz mit KI-gestützter Ursachenanalyse und Echtzeit-Einblicken für fundierte Entscheidungen bei Lieferabweichungen.
From silos to synchronisation
You can find out exactly how integrated planning works with SAP IBP in this blog post.
Warum cbs?
End-to-end expertise for SAP S/4HANA, IPB, S&OP & compliance processes
Whether sales planning, supply chain planning with SAP IBP, smart factory, logistics optimisation or sustainable circular economy processes: with cbs, you can achieve measurable results – quickly, scalably and with proven practical experience.
Industry expertise in discrete and process industries
With cbs, you have a partner at your side who combines strategic thinking with operational excellence. We provide you with comprehensive support – from the initial definition of your goals to their sustainable integration into your systems and processes.
Pioneer in the integration of AI into regulated supply chain processes
Thanks to our end-to-end expertise along the entire value chain – from design to operate – we put your data in the right context, create process clarity and enable informed decisions at all levels. We combine in-depth process understanding with state-of-the-art technology – for real impact instead of mere concepts.
Talk to us
The future of supply chain planning is integrated, agile and resilient. Take the next step with us – from fragmented processes to strategic planning models. We look forward to hearing from you.
