Inventory Management / Optimisation, Demand Planning & Forecasting

October 20, 2026

12 min read

How Companies Reduce Inventory Without Sacrificing Service Levels

Reducing inventory does not have to mean accepting more stockouts or lower service levels. See how companies including Thermex, Space NK, Newitts and Securitas Iceland used more accurate forecasting, item-level stock policies and smarter replenishment to release working capital while maintaining or improving product availability. Learn which inventory planning practices make it possible to hold less stock without compromising customer service.

Randi W. Stebbins

Inventory Management / Optimisation, Demand Planning & Forecasting

October 14, 2026

12 min read

How Inventory Optimisation Reduces Stockouts: Customer Examples

Reducing stockouts doesn't have to mean holding more inventory. With better demand forecasting, dynamic safety stock and automated replenishment, businesses can improve product availability while keeping inventory costs under control. Discover how inventory optimisation works in practice, with real customer examples from BYKO, Wessex Packaging and Space NK, including stockout reductions of 50% or more and significant improvements in availability. Learn how software like AGR helps businesses anticipate shortages, streamline replenishment and maintain higher service levels without tying up unnecessary capital in stock.

Randi W. Stebbins

Demand Planning & Forecasting

September 29, 2026

16 min read

Demand Forecasting to Improve Supply Chain Efficiency

Struggling to balance service levels and inventory costs? This guide to demand forecasting breaks down how smarter, data-driven forecasts help businesses reduce waste, plan proactively, and stay agile in a fast-changing supply chain landscape. Learn how AI improves forecast accuracy, how to avoid common pitfalls, and what tools make the biggest impact.

Randi W. Stebbins

Inventory Management / Optimisation, Demand Planning & Forecasting, Order Management

September 14, 2026

13 min read

What Is a Backorder? Definition, Causes, and Management

Backorders can help retain sales when stock runs short, but frequent backorders may point to problems with forecasting, replenishment or inventory planning. Learn what causes backorders, how they affect customer service and operations, and how inventory management software like AGR can help businesses anticipate demand, optimise stock levels and reduce unnecessary backorders.

Randi W. Stebbins

Inventory Management / Optimisation, Demand Planning & Forecasting, Order Management

September 8, 2026

10 min read

What is the Procurement Process? Steps, Stages & Workflow Guide

Learn what the procurement process involves, from identifying business needs and selecting suppliers to purchasing and performance review. Explore common challenges and how better demand visibility, inventory planning and automation can support smarter procurement decisions.

Randi W. Stebbins

Demand Planning & Forecasting, Reporting & insights

September 1, 2026

10 min read

What Is the Bullwhip Effect in Supply Chains?

The Bullwhip Effect in Supply Chains: What It Is and How to Fix It Small shifts in customer demand can cause big problems upstream — from overstocking to stockouts. This blog unpacks the bullwhip effect with clear definitions, real-world examples, and practical fixes for wholesalers and supply chain professionals. Learn how smarter forecasting, better supplier communication, and automated ordering can break the cycle.

Randi W. Stebbins

Demand Planning & Forecasting, S&OP

June 10, 2026

9 min read

What Is Demand Planning? Process, Tools & Best Practices

Discover how effective demand planning helps your business balance supply with customer needs, reduce waste, and improve forecasting accuracy. This guide breaks down core strategies, best practices, and real-world tools to help you plan smarter and scale confidently.

Randi W. Stebbins

Demand Planning & Forecasting

March 18, 2026

9 min read

Retail Demand Prediction Using Machine Learning

Retail demand prediction using machine learning enables businesses to analyse large volumes of data, identify complex demand patterns, and generate accurate forecasts at SKU, store, and channel level. By incorporating factors such as promotions, pricing, seasonality, and external signals, machine learning models continuously improve over time and adapt to changing conditions. This approach supports more precise replenishment planning, reduces stock imbalances, and helps align inventory with real customer demand across increasingly complex retail environments.

Randi W. Stebbins

Demand Planning & Forecasting, Inventory Management / Optimisation

October 9, 2025

8 min read

Obsolete Stock: How to Identify, Reduce, and Prevent Inventory Obsolescence

Obsolete stock is more than just slow-moving goods—it’s inventory that’s lost its value and ties up working capital. This blog explains what causes products to become obsolete, from poor forecasting to overproduction, and how to spot the warning signs early. It also shares strategies to prevent obsolescence through better planning, visibility, and collaboration. Finally, it shows how AGR helps businesses like PanzerGlass stay ahead in fast-moving industries with precise forecasting and real-time inventory control.

Randi W. Stebbins

Demand Planning & Forecasting

September 8, 2025

10 min read

What Is a Bill of Materials (BOM)? Examples and Templates

Get to grips with BOMs—your supply chain’s blueprint for smarter planning. This guide explains what a BOM is, why it matters, and how businesses use it to track components, reduce waste, and optimise inventory. Includes real-world examples, templates, and how to manage BOMs in AGR.

Randi W. Stebbins

Demand Planning & Forecasting

July 8, 2025

3 min read

Demand Forecasting Best Practices: Proven Tips, Methods and Formulas

Discover the demand forecasting best practices that help inventory teams reduce waste, improve accuracy, and avoid costly stockouts. Learn proven methods, key formulas, and actionable tips to optimise your forecasting process.

Randi W. Stebbins

Demand Planning & Forecasting, Inventory Management / Optimisation

February 11, 2025

4 min read

How to Turn Tariff Challenges into Supply Chain Success

Tariffs are reshaping global trade, prompting businesses to rethink sourcing strategies and optimize their supply chains. This blog explores how companies can navigate these challenges, leveraging AGR's advanced inventory management solutions to build resilient and cost-effective operations. Discover actionable insights on managing disruptions, rising costs, and the power of AI-driven decision-making.

Demand Planning & Forecasting, Inventory Management / Optimisation

November 11, 2024

6 min read

Is Your ERP Enough for Inventory Management? How AGR Closes the Supply Chain Gaps

Discover how AGR’s inventory management solution bridges the gaps left by traditional ERPs, bringing advanced forecasting, automated ordering, and real-time insights to your supply chain—all up and running in as little as a week.

Demand Planning & Forecasting, Inventory Management / Optimisation, Order Management, Process Automation, Reporting & insights, S&OP

October 22, 2024

6 min read

Choosing the Right Stock Management Solution for Your Business

When choosing the right stock management solution, it’s important to focus on more than just its basic features. You need a platform that integrates seamlessly with your existing systems, offers modular features to fit your specific needs, and can grow with you as your business evolves.

Demand Planning & Forecasting, Inventory Management / Optimisation, S&OP

October 15, 2024

5 min read

PlanPro by AGR: Take Your Demand Planning to the Next Level

PlanPro offers powerful features for sales forecasting, promotional planning, and connecting item histories—all designed to help you manage your inventory with greater precision and control.