D365 Supply Chain Management gets smarter: A closer look at Copilot and Demand Planning Capabilities

Exceed customer demands with advanced demand planning in D365 Supply Chain Management

Now more than ever, organizations face the critical task of accurately predicting demand and swiftly adapting to shifts in demand, all while maintaining sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Failure to meet customer needs promptly risks losing them to competitors. D365 Supply Chain Management, with its new demand planning capabilities (now available in public preview), can help meet this challenge. Powered by AI and machine learning models leveraging external data sources, demand planning capabilities enable organizations to forecast demand, ensure inventory availability, and effectively meet customer needs. This is done through the AI-driven forecast model, which automatically selects optimal algorithms and parameters for each product, with planners having the flexibility to fine-tune parameters to suit unique business requirements. Wondering about accuracy? That problem is solved! The demand planning and forecasting capabilities feature best-in-class forecasting algorithms and models, enhancing the accuracy of predictions. With its robust user interface, the demand planning app offers intelligent reports and analytics, facilitating informed decision-making. This new feature empowers organizations to leverage Artificial Intelligence in supply chain management and establish an agile, resilient, and sustainable demand planning practice driven by intuitiveness and collaboration. The new demand planning capabilities don’t just stop here. Some of the features worth exploring include:

No-code approach to demand planning

With an intuitive, guided, no-code approach, users can confidently tailor forecast inputs and simulate the impact of model changes before implementation. Additionally, customers can integrate their own custom-built machine-learning models. These enhancements result in a more flexible, simplified user experience, fostering increased trust among planners in the generated forecasts. Ultimately, the demand planning capabilities reduce excess inventory, thereby optimizing working capital.

Data unification

Effective planning requires the ability to consolidate and shape data. With modeling and import capabilities, planners can effortlessly craft their planning model and integrate data from diverse sources, enhancing planning accuracy and reducing wastages and inventory holding costs.

Integration with Microsoft Teams for smooth collaboration

The new demand planning features streamline collaboration within Microsoft Teams, minimizing the time spent aligning with stakeholders. Planners can now achieve consensus on demand plans more efficiently, with every edit and comment captured within the solution. With the ability to revert to previous forecast versions in just a few clicks, teams can communicate effectively and ensure faster replenishment cycles and shorter delivery lead times through continuous supply planning processes.

Microsoft has further enhanced its demand planning capabilities through Copilot, empowering planners to explain the forecast creation process and identify patterns and anomalies more effectively. Additionally, planners gain insights into complex correlations across datasets through natural language interactions. This automation of mundane tasks saves planners valuable time, allowing them to redirect their efforts toward high-impact activities.