8/1/05: PSI Planner™version 6.0 released

8/1/04: PSI Planner™ version 5.0 released

7/1/03: Web based demonstrations and training now available

7/15/03: Supply Chain Consulting and Training Services expanded

6/1/03: PSI Planner™ version 4.0 released...new Web Enabled module launched (also includes list of prior enhancements)

10/1/02: PSI Planner™  article in APICS Magazine
 

PSI Planner™ version 8.0 released

• Export Forecast Variance Report – Export to a “sortable” comma separated file which can be opened in MS-Excel and other spreadsheet software programs for tracking and reporting.

• New Action Item – “Past Due Planned Receipts without an existing Scheduled Receipt”. This will allow for additional, automated exception planning as this Action Item will alert users where a potential emergency exists, but there is nothing scheduled to arrive at any point in the future.

• MPS module PSI View export – Export the “PSI View” (in various units of measure) to either print or view and save in MS-Excel and other spreadsheet software programs.

PSI Planner™ version 7.0 released

• Available To Promise “Exception” Report – allows users to “audit” inventory against actual supply and demand only for 1) SKU’s with Action Item messages and/or 2) "greater than' or 'less than' a selected Periods On Hand of Supply. This report is especially useful for clients with multiple DC’s.

• Custom Seasonality Index  - users can create and save multiple “custom” seasonality indices for product specific promotional calendars, etc.

• Forecast Filter Report – can now compare upcoming forecasts against “same time last year” (or other periods of history) as a “reasonableness” check. Previously could only run against most recent periods of history.

PSI Planner™ ROI Calculator v2.0 released

PSI Planner™version 6.0

PSI Planner™ version 6.0 was released on July 5, 2005. It includes added features such as:

• Data export directly to MS-Excel® – In both the System Initialization and DRP module export screens, we have added the capability to export selected data directly to MS-Excel® for users to have easy access to data for reporting.

• Global Update Utility in Data Editor – We have added a capability for users to make “global” or “mass” updates to fields in the Data Editor function. The Data Editor function allows users to enter, edit and maintain fields in PSI Planner™that are not available in their ERP system. This new function allows them to modify data ranges for a specific field saving them the effort of manually entering the same code many times for a field.

• Firm Planned Customer Orders (FPCO) – Similar to the Firm Planned Order, except this allows users to make incremental changes to an SKU’s daily, weekly or monthly forecasts in the DRP screen. This change will be stored unless otherwise modified by the user or until the date for the FPCO has passed.

• Global ABC Settings by Vendor – The Global ABC Setting screen allows users to set any or all of the following fields by ABC code on a “global” basis: safety time, lead time, order quantity and order time. Previously, this was only available by Location. Version 6.0 will allow users to set this by Vendor instead if they wish.

• Additional information on Forecast screen – The forecast main screen is being modified to display additional, useful information for each SKU such as total open customer orders, month-to-date sales and forecast flag setting.

• ABC table display – After users generate ABC codes in the Forecast module, they will now have the ability to view the table containing the details for all SKU’s.

PSI Planner™version 5.0 released

Our latest version of PSI Planner™ is now available and includes new features such as:

• Store forecast adjustments separately (Manual Adjustment vs. PSI Statistical) - This modification allows users to enter and store adjustments to SKU monthly forecasts separately from the PSI statistical monthly forecast. The Forecast Variance System will then measure the accuracy of both the manual and PSI statistical forecasts. Any SKU forecast adjustments made in the Forecast module will over ride the PSI statistical forecast and be brought over to the DRP module as the "forecast" in the DRP screen (after the system is re-initialized) when creating Planned Orders/Receipts. The Aggregate function will now include the Adjustment field (if entered) instead of the Statistical and any changes made to an aggregate will then be prorated the SKU level and show as an adjustment. 
• Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) calculation - The EOQ calculation minimizes total cost when calculating an order quantity size for an SKU. In PSI Planner, the user enters "global" settings for specific cost categories (i.e. holding costs and ordering costs) in the Options screen of the Forecast module. After entering that data, the user can then automatically calculate an EOQ for each SKU (or a range of SKU's) in the Generate screen of of the Forecast module. The EOQ quantity will then be put into the "Order Quantity/Minimum Order" field in PSI Planner which will then be used to generate Planned Receipts and Orders in the DRP module after initialization. 
• Expanded Item and Location fields – Users now has the option to import data using expanded item (to 32 characters) and location (to 8 characters) fields. 
• Environmental check option - PSI Planner does a basic check of the environment such as write permissions of network drive, folders, database integrity, etc. It is a basic checking tool, which will give the user a better explanation of what outside things might be affecting PSI performance. 
• Sequel Server web access – Added as an alternative for the ODBC interface for the PSI Planner Web Access module 
• Progress bar and CPU yield – History/Forecast, Forecast Filter and DRP-Planned Order reports now have a progress bar and yields to system CPU to prevent conflicts when running the reports. 
• “Drop Down/Look Up” search – In the Forecast and DRP module “Access, Find” areas, users can now see entire PSI database of items, locations, etc rather than entering codes from memory.

PSI Planner™version 4.0 released (includes list of prior enhancements)

Some of the new features in our previous PSI Planner™ upgrade included:

• Web enabled Sales Forecasting, DRP and MRP modules for easy collaboration with remote personnel, customers and suppliers.
• Firm Planned Orders (FPO) - The Firm Planned Order (FPO) function allows a planner to override the order-planning logic in DRP and specify a date and a quantity for an order. 
• Frozen Planning Window (FPW) - A Frozen Planning Window refers to periods of time during which the schedule is fixed and typically, no further changes are possible.
• User defined Seasonality Index/Promotional Calendar - User defined index which can be applied to the forecast in additon to previously existing "automatic" method which uses individual SKU historical data to develop an index.
• Password Protection - Allows for user access restriction for System and other modules 
• Flexible import/export - Import and export ASCII flat files, HTML and ODBC interfaced files.
• Enhanced aggregation and proration - Aggregate/prorate item-location forecasts by Class, ABC code, Zone and a variety of other fields.
• Multiple forecast options -  Moving average, weighted moving average and percentage change methods now available in addition to Linear Regression.
• Available To Promise (ATP)  - View “Available to Promise” time phased screen for an item at all locations (i.e. net available against customer orders only; not including forecast).
• A Forecast Variance Reporting System to "automate" the sometimes tedious but critical activity of measuring planned versus actual forecasts.
• DRP and MRP graphics capability to visualize current and projected inventory balances versus gross forecasted and actual requirements

We are now able to offer live web demonstrations of PSI Planner™ software with the option of using sample data from your company.

New and existing customers also have the option of live web based software training as opposed to traditional classroom based training.

In addition to our existing Supply Chain consulting service, we now offer training courses that cover every aspect of the Supply Chain which can be customized to meet the specific needs of your organization.

Business people have long appreciated the value of effectively managing the Supply Chain or Logistics function. These functions may include the management of customer service/order entry, purchasing, inventory management, forecasting, production planning, distribution center operations, traffic/transportation and computerized logistics systems. 

The Supply Chain process can absorb 7.5% and more of every sales dollar and directly affects customer satisfaction. 

Innovative Supply Chain strategies, re-engineering of the Supply Chain and improved information flow along with effective use of your resources can:

• Improve inventory turns and customer service levels
• Enhance efficient consumer response (ECR) resulting in increased sales
• Provide logistics network optimization
• Identify system integration/interface opportunities to improve information flow
• Consolidate/re-organize traffic and transportation functions to reduce shipping costs per unit 

• Identification of Best Practices of Supply Chain 
• Strategic and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)
• Selection of information technology for the Supply Chain
• Collapsing of the order replenishment cycle 
• Determination, quantification and implementation of Supply Chain improvements 
• Facilitation of the creation/enhancement of process-flow diagrams 

The Managing Partner of our consulting practice has been a successful change catalyst for a variety of clients and organizations of all sizes. He has over 18 years experience in Supply Chain strategies, systems and operations that has resulted in bottom-line improvements. 

He has experience with various Supply Chain systems (in addition to PSI Planner) and holds a BS in Logistics from The Pennsylvania State University and an MBA in Physical Distribution from Temple University. He has an extensive background as a Supply Chain professional, teacher and author.

The October 2002 issue of APICS Magazine contained a favorable software review of 
PSI Planner™. Please contact us for copies of the article.

Copyright ©2007, Logistics Planning Associates, LLC.