Overview

Fragmented ordering across regions led to stockouts and expired stock. The firm launched a private industrial network (PIN) with distributor and retailer portals + APIs.

Key Moves

  • Standard product/catalog IDs; EDI/API for orders, ASN, and invoices.
  • Demand visibility: sell‑in vs. sell‑through dashboards; expiry alerts.
  • Promotion engine with tiered discounts; retailer app for self‑ordering.
  • Logistics integration for shipment tracking; proof‑of‑delivery capture.

Outcomes

  • Improved fill rate; reduced expiries; faster rollout of promotions.
  • Better cash cycle with e‑invoices and credit controls.

Lessons (Unit 8 lens)

  • PINs create shared truth across partners; start with core docs, expand gradually.
  • Retailer self‑service reduces sales rep load and improves order accuracy.

Chapters covered

  • SCM and collaborative commerce (8.1–8.3)
  • Private networks vs. marketplaces (8.5)