SAN MATEO, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—May 7, 2007 — Ventana Research’s new research study, “Supply Chain Business Intelligence – Adoption, Use and Practice” indicates that companies have yet to take advantage of business intelligence for the supply chain. The research also shows that lack of BI technology use is hindering progress for enabling Operational Performance Management.
“We’ve found that most companies are looking to apply BI primarily to sharpen the accuracy of forecasting, reduce costs, reduce inventory levels and better understand the drivers of customer demand,” said Colin Snow, Ventana Research’s VP and Research Director – Operational & Supply Chain Performance Management. “It’s also clear that as a whole – across all the elements of supply chain BI – most companies have substantial room for improvement.”
Ventana Research will expand on the key findings of this research study, Supply Chain Business Intelligence – Adoption, Use and Practice, at a live interactive webinar on Thursday, May 10, 2007 from 9:00am-10:00am Pacific.
Among the key research findings, Ventana Research uncovered:
Lack of access to supply chain data hinders success.Research finds data access, including the length of time and a lack of integration between supply chain systems, impedes needed real time data acquisition and reporting.
Spreadsheets and custom applications are part of the problem.Nearly half of companies use spreadsheets or other desktop applications for supply chain BI, and nearly one-third use applications developed in-house.
Key metrics difficult to find, not timely and sometimes incomplete.Less than half of the companies reported that they had access to supply chain profitability and process metrics impacting the ability to measure, evaluate and control business processes.
Most want integration of financial and forecast data, very few have it. Nearly all of the respondents said integrating forecast, planning and other time-phase data with supply chain data for BI purposes is important, but only half have actually integrated it.
The research, sponsored by technology providers Cognos and Salient Corporation, is based on an analysis of 427 validated respondents. The survey was conducted with the assistance of media partners that included businessintelligence.com, DM Review, Intelligent Enterprise, Montgomery Research, Software Magazine, Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Technology Evaluation Centers.
About Ventana Research
Ventana Research is the leading research and advisory services firm focused on the intersection of people, processes, information and technology to enable breakthrough performance. By providing expert insight and detailed guidance, Ventana Research helps clients operate their companies more efficiently and effectively. To learn how Ventana Research Performance Management workshops, assessments and advisory services can impact your bottom line, visit www.ventanaresearch.com.
Media Contact: Marisela Reynoso
(925) 242-2579 marketing@ventanaresearch.com
© 2007 Ventana Research, Inc