Distribution is being reshaped by omni-channel demand, SKU complexity, component shortages, and sustainability pressure. The deck walks through six trends: omni-channel and e-commerce acceleration, SKU proliferation and aftermarket complexity, component shortages and supply risk driven by AI demand and tariffs, real-time and AI-assisted planning, parcel and labor economics, and smart products and sustainability.
It presents SAP ERP Cloud as the real-time digital core and SAP Integrated Business Planning as the AI-driven planning layer, with capabilities for omni-channel fulfillment (unified order-to-cash, ATP, and EWM/TM integration), multi-echelon SKU and spare parts optimization, supply risk management and allocation scenarios, demand sensing with SAP Joule, distribution automation, and sustainability.
Five quick-win priorities are recommended — stabilize master data, deploy SAP IBP for top SKUs, integrate omnichannel orders, build allocation playbooks for constrained components, and add analytics and alerts — along with the critical success factors and risks: data quality and change management, integration complexity, and supplier constraints.
The full deck is available above as a PDF. See also "SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP): Overview and Functionality" in the Resource Library.