# Best Demand Planning Software - Page 3 *By [Daniel Rivera](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/daniel-rivera)* Demand planning software provides businesses with forecasting solutions that help them predict future customer demand, plan and manage inventory and production, and ensure the right quantity and type of stock is available when needed, relying heavily on predictive analysis and historical data. ### Core Capabilities of Demand Planning Software To qualify for inclusion in the Demand Planning category, a product must: - Extract key insights from inventory trackers and other metrics - Convert raw data into actionable forecasts - Support and facilitate automated forecast processes - Involve predictive analysis tools - Produce reliable predictions ### Common Use Cases for Demand Planning Software Supply chain, operations, and inventory teams use demand planning software to proactively align supply with anticipated customer needs. Common use cases include: - Forecasting seasonal or long-term product demand to optimize inventory levels - Reducing stockouts and overstock situations through data-driven production planning - Integrating machine learning to improve prediction accuracy by analyzing historical demand data ### How Demand Planning Software Differs from Other Tools Demand planning software is often a component of broader [supply chain management](https://www.g2.com/categories/supply-chain-management) solutions, focusing specifically on the forecasting and planning layer rather than end-to-end supply chain execution. While general analytics tools can model demand scenarios, dedicated demand planning platforms provide purpose-built predictive engines, automated forecast workflows, and inventory-specific integrations that general BI tools do not offer. ### Insights from G2 on Demand Planning Software Based on category trends on G2, forecast accuracy and automated replenishment workflows stand out as the most valued capabilities. These platforms deliver reductions in inventory carrying costs and improved service levels as primary outcomes of adoption. ## How Many Demand Planning Software Products Does G2 Track? **Total Products under this Category:** 203 ### Category Stats (May 2026) - **Average Rating**: 4.44/5 - **New Reviews This Quarter**: 53 - **Buyer Segments**: Mid-Market 55% │ Small-Business 28% │ Enterprise 16% - **Top Trending Product**: RELEX (+0.019) *Last updated: May 18, 2026* ## How Does G2 Rank Demand Planning Software Products? **Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:** - 30 Analysts and Data Experts - 3,600+ Authentic Reviews - 203+ Products - Unbiased Rankings G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category. ## Which Demand Planning Software Is Best for Your Use Case? - **Leader:** [SAP Integrated Business Planning](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-integrated-business-planning/reviews) - **Highest Performer:** [Streamline](https://www.g2.com/products/gmdh-streamline/reviews) - **Easiest to Use:** [LEAFIO AI Retail Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/leafio-ai-retail-platform/reviews) - **Top Trending:** [SAP Integrated Business Planning](https://www.g2.com/products/sap-integrated-business-planning/reviews) - **Best Free Software:** [Streamline](https://www.g2.com/products/gmdh-streamline/reviews) --- **Sponsored** ### Netstock Supply and demand planning made smarter with AI. Netstock empowers small and medium-sized businesses to optimize inventory and demand planning across 67 countries, managing over $25 billion in inventory value. Our solutions transform how companies balance supply and demand, reducing inventory levels by 25% while improving fill rates by 15% and saving 70% of time on ordering and forecasting. Why businesses choose netstock - Flexible forecasting – Forecast by product, group, sales channel, and key customers - Smart inventory planning – Balance stock levels and reduce risk with smart AI tools that quickly deliver real results - AI functionality -Quickly interpret dashboards, reports or at SKU level to spot and resolve issues before they happen - Balance risk - Factor in supplier and forecast risk every 24 hours from the order level down to the SKU level - Over 60 ERP integrations – Purpose-built to automatically convert raw ERP data into predictive insights to drive confident decision-making - Quick ROI – Free up cash tied up in slow-moving inventory from day one - Enterprise-grade security – ISO 27001-certified so your data remains secure - Complete support – Personalized onboarding, 24/7 assistance, and ongoing education With a global footprint of 2,400+ customers and 20,000+ users, Netstock empowers customers with increased visibility, faster planning, and smarter inventory decisions—ensuring they’re always prepared for disruptions or market changes. As we continue to innovate our software, we remain the trusted advisor and go-to solution for SMBs in inventory management and demand planning - making sure our customers have the right stock, in the right place at the right time. [Visit website](https://www.g2.com/external_clickthroughs/record?secure%5Bad_program%5D=paid_promo&secure%5Bad_slot%5D=category_product_list&secure%5Bcategory_id%5D=134&secure%5Bmedium%5D=sponsored&secure%5Bprioritized%5D=false&secure%5Bproduct_id%5D=65934&secure%5Bresource_id%5D=134&secure%5Bresource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bsource_type%5D=category_page&secure%5Bsource_url%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fcategories%2Fdemand-planning&secure%5Btoken%5D=ce480fbe1b15291fb5bce88a986dd1f59526f21275a84b85a7f15cbedbf1cffa&secure%5Burl%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.netstock.com%2Fpricing%2F&secure%5Burl_type%5D=paid_promos) --- ## What Are the Top-Rated Demand Planning Software Products in 2026? ### 1. [Foresite SPA](https://www.g2.com/products/foresite-spa/reviews) Foresite SPA is one of the best and completed sales forecasting software. It is a used to connect companies to combine sales. It is a very easy to way to directly connect to the users. Foresite's finished business change experts settled the down to earth needs of developing organizations. **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 4 **How Do G2 Users Rate Foresite SPA?** - **Inventory collaboration:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Foresite SPA?** - **Seller:** [Foresite SPA](https://www.g2.com/sellers/foresite-spa) - **HQ Location:** N/A - **Twitter:** @foresite_spa (297 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/No-Linkedin-Presence-Added-Intentionally-By-DataOps (1 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 50% Enterprise, 50% Mid-Market ### 2. [Propago](https://www.g2.com/products/propago/reviews) Propago's Marketing Asset Management Platform allows Print Producers and Brands to bring marketing assets under an intelligent marketing hub that enforces advanced business rules. Employees can access the entire marketing catalog (print, promo, apparel, and digital), personalize their products, and order from any device. And, with a comprehensive set of production, procurement, and warehousing tools, the platform ensures organizations have a streamlined supply chain from start to finish. **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 5 **How Do G2 Users Rate Propago?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) - **Inventory collaboration:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Propago?** - **Seller:** [Propago](https://www.g2.com/sellers/propago) - **Year Founded:** 2015 - **HQ Location:** Austin, US - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-propago-platform/ (8 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 60% Enterprise, 20% Small-Business ### 3. [Quant](https://www.g2.com/products/quant/reviews) Quant is a cloud solution for the management of retail space, product categories, planograms, shelf labels, automatic replenishment and store photo documentation. In Quant, our clients draw and manage the floor plans of thousands of stores and publish hundreds of thousands of planograms every year. **Average Rating:** 4.8/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 54 **How Do G2 Users Rate Quant?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.8/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) - **Inventory collaboration:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Quant?** - **Seller:** [Quant Retail s.r.o.](https://www.g2.com/sellers/quant-retail-s-r-o) - **Company Website:** https://www.quantretail.com - **Year Founded:** 2001 - **HQ Location:** Tupadly, CZ - **Twitter:** @QuantRetail (18 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/quant-retail/ (39 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Top Industries:** Retail, Pharmaceuticals - **Company Size:** 40% Enterprise, 35% Mid-Market #### What Are Quant's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Ease of Use (3 reviews) - Customer Support (1 reviews) - Easy Integrations (1 reviews) - Features (1 reviews) - Implementation Ease (1 reviews) **Cons:** - Improvement Needed (1 reviews) - Integration Issues (1 reviews) ### 4. [VOIDS Inventory Management](https://www.g2.com/products/voids-inventory-management/reviews) VOIDS is an AI-powered demand forecasting and inventory optimization software for e-commerce brands. It automates SKU-level sales forecasting, purchase planning, and PO management across Shopify, Amazon, and B2B. Trusted by 250+ DTC brands like HYROX, FC Bayern, and 6PM, VOIDS delivers +10% revenue, -30% stock, 15x ROI, eliminating stockouts and overstock. **Average Rating:** 5.0/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 4 **Who Is the Company Behind VOIDS Inventory Management?** - **Seller:** [VOIDS](https://www.g2.com/sellers/voids) - **Year Founded:** 2022 - **HQ Location:** Hamburg, DE - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/v-o-i-d-s/ (11 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 100% Small-Business ### 5. [Vuealta](https://www.g2.com/products/vuealta/reviews) Vuealta Demand & Inventory Planning is a best-in-class, collaborative and powerful solution enabling organisations to accurately forecast demand, keep inventory levels perfectly balanced and costs under control. Built on market leading connected planning platform, Anaplan, Vuealta Demand & Inventory Planning is purpose-built, contains industry best practise and is ready to deploy, delivering exceptional time-to-value. The solution delivers end-to-end visibility and a single data model, so that events (both planned and unexpected) can be modelled in real-time, enabling decisions to be made with confidence. Supply Chain teams within the world’s leading organisations can now empower their people and supercharge their performance, ensuring that every potential opportunity is realised and the highest levels of customer service are maintained. Vuealta’s solution is delivered as a service, so executives can focus on running their Supply Chains without the headaches of maintaining and administering an underlying planning solution. **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 4 **How Do G2 Users Rate Vuealta?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Vuealta?** - **Seller:** [Vuealta](https://www.g2.com/sellers/vuealta) - **Year Founded:** 2017 - **HQ Location:** London, GB - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/11029347 (45 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 100% Mid-Market ### 6. [7bridges](https://www.g2.com/products/7bridges/reviews) The world needs supply chains that can adapt quickly - That means they are integrated, data first, responsive and resilient. 7bridges gives you the ability to understand the impact of every decision you make - gathering all your data in one powerful platform so you have full control and a birds-eye view. Our AI lets you test out new ideas and adapt to real world disruptions; giving you more room to innovate. Today, some of the world’s top brands use 7bridges and regularly achieve: - An average of 16% direct cost savings on shipments - 18 % better procurement rates with logistics companies - 3X return on investment within twelve months of signing 7bridges is committed to reinventing supply chain management because smarter supply chains benefit everyone. **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 12 **How Do G2 Users Rate 7bridges?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) - **Inventory collaboration:** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 7.5/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind 7bridges?** - **Seller:** [7bridges](https://www.g2.com/sellers/7bridges) - **Year Founded:** 2016 - **HQ Location:** London, England - **Twitter:** @the7bridges (335 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/the7bridges/ (32 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Top Industries:** Pharmaceuticals - **Company Size:** 67% Mid-Market, 33% Enterprise ### 7. [add*ONE](https://www.g2.com/products/add-one/reviews) With add\*ONE you can have effective inventory management that harmonizes opposing requirements by simultaneously ensuring low stocks, enhanced liquidity and high availability of goods. **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 6 **How Do G2 Users Rate add*ONE?** - **Inventory collaboration:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 7.5/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind add*ONE?** - **Seller:** [INFORM](https://www.g2.com/sellers/inform) - **Year Founded:** 1969 - **HQ Location:** Aachen, DE - **Twitter:** @inform_software (1,032 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/inform/ (945 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 67% Mid-Market, 33% Small-Business ### 8. [Atlas Planning Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/atlas-planning-platform/reviews) Atlas Planning Platform is a single, AI-driven supply chain planning software solution that connects and orchestrates the end-to-end supply chain to enable leading companies to make smarter, faster, and more confident supply chain decisions. A highly intuitive and flexible SaaS platform, Atlas drives the intelligent, agile digital supply chain to accelerate an organization’s transformation journey across demand planning, inventory, supply planning, collaborative S&OP, production planning, and beyond. Companies around the world and across industries turn to John Galt Solutions’ Atlas Planning Platform to quickly unlock unprecedented value and transform data across the extended enterprise network into visibility, knowledge, and operational strategies. **Average Rating:** 4.8/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 3 **How Do G2 Users Rate Atlas Planning Platform?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) - **Inventory collaboration:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Atlas Planning Platform?** - **Seller:** [John Galt Solutions](https://www.g2.com/sellers/john-galt-solutions) - **Year Founded:** 1996 - **HQ Location:** Austin, Texas, United States - **Twitter:** @JohnGaltTeam (355 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-galt-solutions (69 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 33% Enterprise, 33% Mid-Market #### What Are Atlas Planning Platform's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Ease of Use (3 reviews) - Customizability (2 reviews) - Features (2 reviews) - Forecasting (2 reviews) - Forecasting Accuracy (2 reviews) **Cons:** - Difficult Learning (1 reviews) - Improvement Needed (1 reviews) - Learning Curve (1 reviews) - Slow Loading (1 reviews) - Slow Performance (1 reviews) ### 9. [Icicle ERP](https://www.g2.com/products/icicle-erp/reviews) The Icicle ERP system is the backbone of food companies worldwide. Our technology bridges the gap between the needs of your business and regulators, delivering an intelligent cloud-based system to manage the entire food production process – all in one place. We began from the belief that food safety should be simple, no matter the local regulations, types of products, or number of facilities. Through the feedback of our vibrant user community, Icicle ERP adapts to meet the unique and evolving needs of the food industry, providing a complete end-to-end solution that grows with your business. **Average Rating:** 4.2/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 28 **How Do G2 Users Rate Icicle ERP?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.1/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Icicle ERP?** - **Seller:** [Icicle Technologies](https://www.g2.com/sellers/icicle-technologies-b3b21362-e5b1-4fc0-9a34-808b5e0b8cdf) - **Year Founded:** 2015 - **HQ Location:** Richmond, BC - **Twitter:** @IcicleERP (964 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/icicleerp/ (15 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Top Industries:** Food Production, Food & Beverages - **Company Size:** 86% Small-Business, 14% Mid-Market #### What Are Icicle ERP's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Onboarding (1 reviews) **Cons:** - Customization Difficulty (1 reviews) - Customization Issues (1 reviews) - Difficult Customization (1 reviews) - Lack of Customization (1 reviews) - Limited Customization (1 reviews) ### 10. [New Horizon Supply Chain Planning Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/new-horizon-supply-chain-planning-suite/reviews) New Horizon Soft, LLC provides an end-to-end AI-powered supply chain planning suite that enables manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers to improve forecast accuracy and service levels while reducing inventories and costs. Applications include Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Buyers Workbench, Production Planning, Replenishment Planning, Multi-Echelon Inventory Optimization, Sales and Operations Planning, and Strategic Planning. **Average Rating:** 4.8/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 3 **How Do G2 Users Rate New Horizon Supply Chain Planning Suite?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) - **Inventory collaboration:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 5.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind New Horizon Supply Chain Planning Suite?** - **Seller:** [New Horizon Soft, LLC](https://www.g2.com/sellers/new-horizon-soft-llc) - **Year Founded:** 2015 - **HQ Location:** Acton, MA USA - **Twitter:** @newhorizonai (1 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** http://www.linkedin.com/company/new-horizion-soft-llc (14 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 33% Enterprise, 33% Mid-Market ### 11. [Outperform](https://www.g2.com/products/outperform/reviews) Optimize your supply chain and increase operating efficiency with Outperform Planning. Outperform Planning is an all-encompassing supply chain planning app. Realize gains in your supply chain with planning, forecasting, and real-time insights to power your decision-making. Plan: Ensure the balance between demand, supply, and inventory. Create a pathway through today's global marketplace. Forecast: Identify trends, determine their influence on the demand history, and predict influence on future sales. Improve: Realize gains in your supply chain by letting our application do the heavy lifting, surfacing smart insights in real-time. **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 11 **Who Is the Company Behind Outperform?** - **Seller:** [Outperform Planning](https://www.g2.com/sellers/outperform-planning) - **Year Founded:** 1994 - **HQ Location:** Rotterdam, NL - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/outperform-supply-chain-management-planning/ (9 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 45% Mid-Market, 36% Small-Business ### 12. [Prediko Inventory Management](https://www.g2.com/products/prediko-inventory-management/reviews) AI-powered inventory forecasting, planning & purchase order management that syncs with Shopify in real time. Automated inventory alerts & stock health indicators help you create data-driven purchase orders in seconds to avoid out of stock & overstock. **Average Rating:** 4.8/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 6 **How Do G2 Users Rate Prediko Inventory Management?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) - **Inventory collaboration:** 0.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 0.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Prediko Inventory Management?** - **Seller:** [Prediko](https://www.g2.com/sellers/prediko) - **Year Founded:** 2021 - **HQ Location:** London - **Twitter:** @goprediko (119 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/prediko (11 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 100% Small-Business #### What Are Prediko Inventory Management's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Integrations (1 reviews) - Inventory Management (1 reviews) ### 13. [Print ePS Metrix Planning and Imposition Software](https://www.g2.com/products/print-eps-metrix-planning-and-imposition-software/reviews) Print ePS Metrix is a powerful planning, layout, and imposition software that significantly improves efficiency and accuracy in commercial, packaging, and wide-format printing environments. Designed and purpose-built to meet the diverse needs of the print service providers (PSPs), Metrix intelligently optimizes layout planning, reduces waste, and accelerates job turnaround times, while remaining a cost-conscious option (available standalone and in integrated configurations). At its core, Metrix enables automated imposition, cost-driven layout optimization, and dynamic gang run planning. It calculates the most cost-effective way to arrange multiple print jobs on a single sheet or press form, balancing factors such as press capabilities and finishing requirements. Detailed reporting features also provide full transparency on material usage and job costing, making it an indispensable tool for print service providers seeking to improve operational insight and control. Designed to integrate seamlessly with leading print MIS systems (such as Print ePS Pace), Metrix fits **Average Rating:** 4.7/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 3 **How Do G2 Users Rate Print ePS Metrix Planning and Imposition Software?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) - **Inventory collaboration:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Print ePS Metrix Planning and Imposition Software?** - **Seller:** [Print ePS](https://www.g2.com/sellers/print-eps) - **Year Founded:** 1989 - **HQ Location:** Londonderry, US - **Twitter:** @EFIPrint (17,307 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/4303/ (2,715 employees on LinkedIn®) - **Ownership:** NASDAQ:EFII **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 67% Small-Business, 33% Mid-Market ### 14. [Quantics Planning](https://www.g2.com/products/quantics-planning/reviews) Quantics Planning is a SaaS forecasting solution which extends your existing business software by a smart and self-learning AI. The benefits are significantly more accurate demand and sales forecasts as well as a fully automated forecasting process which safes ressources and time. The smart AI adapts to your data, includes internal as well as external effects and helps you to react more dynamically to market changes. Offering an intuitive and flexible user interface which doesn't require any Data Science know-how, Quantics Planning is the perfect extension for all who are looking for a smarter way to predict the future. **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 4 **How Do G2 Users Rate Quantics Planning?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) - **Inventory collaboration:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Quantics Planning?** - **Seller:** [Quantics.io](https://www.g2.com/sellers/quantics-io) - **Year Founded:** 2020 - **HQ Location:** Wien, AT - **Twitter:** @Quantics_io (5 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/quantics-io/ (7 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 50% Small-Business, 25% Enterprise #### What Are Quantics Planning's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Analytics (1 reviews) - Business Growth (1 reviews) - Centralization (1 reviews) - Collaboration (1 reviews) - Customer Success (1 reviews) **Cons:** - Data Integration (1 reviews) - ERP Integration (1 reviews) - Expensive (1 reviews) - Integration Issues (1 reviews) - Lacking Features (1 reviews) ### 15. [SAS Collaborative Planning Workbench](https://www.g2.com/products/sas-collaborative-planning-workbench/reviews) SAS® Collaborative Planning Workbench is a comprehensive forecasting platform designed to automate and enhance consensus planning within organizations. By integrating internal and external demand forecasts, it employs weighted statistical methods to generate accurate consensus plans. The platform facilitates what-if analyses, allowing users to adjust baseline forecasts and improve accuracy through a structured, data-driven process. This approach minimizes reliance on subjective judgment, leading to more reliable and efficient planning outcomes. Key Features and Functionality: - Collaborative Forecasting: Offers an interactive consensus planner with a graphical user interface, automatic weighted consensus forecast generation, and Forecast Value Added analysis reports with drill-down and roll-up capabilities. - Consensus Business Process Workflow: Provides configurable workflow and approval processes integrated with email, ensuring consistency across the enterprise. - Forecast Value Added Analysis: Captures forecasts at each step, from naïve forecasts to management-approved forecasts, enabling organizations to measure the effectiveness of each forecasting activity. - Integration with SAS Demand-Driven Planning and Optimization Suite: Seamlessly integrates with other SAS forecasting solutions, facilitating better collaboration and data movement across an integrated suite of supply chain forecasting and planning tools. Primary Value and Problem Solved: SAS Collaborative Planning Workbench addresses the challenges of achieving accurate and efficient consensus forecasting by automating the process and providing a structured, analytics-driven workflow. It consolidates diverse demand forecasts, applies advanced statistical techniques, and enables scenario analyses, leading to improved forecast accuracy and reduced reliance on subjective judgment. This results in better communication, faster planning, and more informed decision-making across the organization. **Average Rating:** 3.2/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 3 **How Do G2 Users Rate SAS Collaborative Planning Workbench?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) - **Inventory collaboration:** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 6.7/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind SAS Collaborative Planning Workbench?** - **Seller:** [SAS Institute Inc.](https://www.g2.com/sellers/sas-institute-inc-df6dde22-a5e5-4913-8b21-4fa0c6c5c7c2) - **Year Founded:** 1976 - **HQ Location:** Cary, NC - **Twitter:** @SASsoftware (60,933 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/1491/ (18,519 employees on LinkedIn®) - **Phone:** 1-800-727-0025 **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 67% Mid-Market, 33% Small-Business ### 16. [sedApta Demand Management](https://www.g2.com/products/sedapta-demand-management/reviews) Demand Management is the sedApta Suite component capable of ensuring the achievement of these important strategical advantages by supporting demand analysis and forecasting activities **Average Rating:** 3.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 3 **How Do G2 Users Rate sedApta Demand Management?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) - **Inventory collaboration:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind sedApta Demand Management?** - **Seller:** [sedApta](https://www.g2.com/sellers/sedapta) - **Year Founded:** 2014 - **HQ Location:** Genoa, IT - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/sedapta-group/ (459 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 33% Mid-Market, 33% Small-Business ### 17. [SPS Commerce Revenue Recovery](https://www.g2.com/products/sps-commerce-revenue-recovery/reviews) SPS Revenue Recovery is a powerful deduction management solution that helps suppliers identify revenue losses, recover invalid deductions, and prevent future fines — all in one place. SPS Revenue Recovery is trusted by leading retail suppliers like McCormick, Bayer, Crayola, Peet's Coffee, Hanes Brands, and more. **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 137 **How Do G2 Users Rate SPS Commerce Revenue Recovery?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.3/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) - **Inventory collaboration:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind SPS Commerce Revenue Recovery?** - **Seller:** [SPS Commerce](https://www.g2.com/sellers/sps-commerce) - **Company Website:** https://www.spscommerce.com - **Year Founded:** 1987 - **HQ Location:** Minneapolis, MN - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/15345/ (3,339 employees on LinkedIn®) - **Ownership:** NASDAQ:SPSC **Who Uses This Product?** - **Top Industries:** Consumer Goods, Manufacturing - **Company Size:** 49% Small-Business, 43% Mid-Market #### What Are SPS Commerce Revenue Recovery's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Ease of Use (37 reviews) - Customer Support (21 reviews) - Helpful (17 reviews) - Time-saving (16 reviews) - Efficiency (14 reviews) **Cons:** - Improvement Needed (5 reviews) - Learning Curve (5 reviews) - Challenges in Usage (4 reviews) - Data Management Issues (4 reviews) - Invoicing Issues (4 reviews) ### 18. [Absolute Value](https://www.g2.com/products/absolute-value/reviews) Many companies are not seeing the bottom line results they’d like when it comes to managing their largest, most expensive asset - their inventory. Absolute Value's Demand Planning tool can absolutely help you improve your inventory position while helping you: • Improve your forecasting and replenishment capabilities • Manage inventory across multiple locations • Collaborate with customers and vendors • Identify surplus and excess inventory With Absolute Value’s Demand Planning system you can absolutely have the right inventory at the right place at the right time, increase customer service levels, and free up cash! **Average Rating:** 4.8/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 2 **How Do G2 Users Rate Absolute Value?** - **Inventory collaboration:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Absolute Value?** - **Seller:** [Absolute Value](https://www.g2.com/sellers/absolute-value) - **HQ Location:** Norcross, US - **LinkedIn® Page:** http://www.linkedin.com/company/1918269 (25 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 50% Mid-Market, 50% Small-Business ### 19. [Board](https://www.g2.com/products/board/reviews) Board is the Enterprise Planning Platform built to accelerate business performance and enable continuous planning with greater forecast accuracy to drive confident, aligned decisions. Its fully integrated planning solution spans the entire enterprise, delivering value for financial and operational planning in one unified platform. Using internal data and expert-curated external indicators, Board provides real-time visibility into your business. Board offers the most flexible, collaborative and adaptive user experience, powering executive dashboards and analytic capabilities that allows clear explanation and interpretation delivered through generative AI. This allows organizations to respond in an agile manner: capitalize on opportunities, optimize resources and mitigate risks. **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 300 **How Do G2 Users Rate Board?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) - **Inventory collaboration:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Board?** - **Seller:** [Board International](https://www.g2.com/sellers/board-international) - **Company Website:** https://www.board.com - **Year Founded:** 1994 - **HQ Location:** Chiasso, Ticino - **Twitter:** @BoardSoftware (27,122 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/98246/ (929 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Who Uses This:** Software Engineer, Software Developer - **Top Industries:** Information Technology and Services, Computer Software - **Company Size:** 57% Mid-Market, 40% Enterprise #### What Are Board's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Ease of Use (26 reviews) - Flexibility (21 reviews) - Features (20 reviews) - Efficiency (18 reviews) - Customization (16 reviews) **Cons:** - Slow Performance (9 reviews) - Learning Curve (8 reviews) - Missing Features (8 reviews) - Poor Visualization (8 reviews) - Complexity (7 reviews) ### 20. [Celes](https://www.g2.com/products/celes/reviews) CELES is an AI-powered demand planning and replenishment software for enterprise retailers. Our platform connects ERP, WMS, and POS data to deliver accurate demand forecasts and transform them into automated purchase orders and optimized store replenishment. CELES helps retailers ensure product availability, reduce stockouts, cut excess inventory, and improve margins. By combining advanced retail forecasting with execution, CELES simplifies procurement and inventory planning while freeing up working capital and lowering operational costs. Retailers use CELES to align demand planning, replenishment, and supply chain execution—turning inventory management into a growth engine. **Average Rating:** 4.9/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 6 **How Do G2 Users Rate Celes?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 9.6/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) - **Inventory collaboration:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Celes?** - **Seller:** [Celes Technologies](https://www.g2.com/sellers/celes-technologies) - **Year Founded:** 2018 - **HQ Location:** Barranquilla, CO - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/celes-ai (36 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 67% Mid-Market, 17% Small-Business #### What Are Celes's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Features Variety (2 reviews) - Data Clarity (1 reviews) - Demand Forecasting (1 reviews) - Ease of Use (1 reviews) - Efficiency (1 reviews) **Cons:** - Filtering Issues (1 reviews) - Inefficient Tracking (1 reviews) - Limited Access (1 reviews) - Supplier Management (1 reviews) ### 21. [Crest AI](https://www.g2.com/products/crest-ai/reviews) Crest is a SAAS based automated planning tool that enables businesses to effectively and efficiently plan their supply and demand, with the primary goal of eliminating out-of-stock and fulfilling every order, regardless of the uncertainties. **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 2 **How Do G2 Users Rate Crest AI?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) - **Inventory collaboration:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Crest AI?** - **Seller:** [Crest AI](https://www.g2.com/sellers/crest-ai) - **Year Founded:** 2022 - **HQ Location:** Bengaluru, IN - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-crest (65 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 50% Mid-Market, 50% Small-Business #### What Are Crest AI's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Easy Integrations (2 reviews) - Integrations (2 reviews) - Insights (1 reviews) - Inventory Management (1 reviews) - Real-time Monitoring (1 reviews) ### 22. [FutureMargin](https://www.g2.com/products/futuremargin/reviews) FutureMargin is a cloud based demand planning software for modern e-commerce retailers. FutureMargin predicts expected product sales for e-commerce stores to optimize inventory stock levels. Retailers use FutureMargin to automate and simplify stock replenishment process, avoid stock-outs and detect over-stocks. **Average Rating:** 5.0/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 2 **How Do G2 Users Rate FutureMargin?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) **Who Is the Company Behind FutureMargin?** - **Seller:** [FutureMargin](https://www.g2.com/sellers/futuremargin) - **HQ Location:** N/A - **Twitter:** @FutureMargin (1 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/No-Linkedin-Presence-Added-Intentionally-By-DataOps (1 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 100% Mid-Market ### 23. [GAINSystems](https://www.g2.com/products/gainsystems/reviews) GAINS Performance Optimization Platform for supply chain design and planning delivers rapid results by unlocking working capital, reducing operational costs, and improving service. With GAINS, supply chain teams can make all the right decisions at speed and scale, right-size inventory, improve performance, and fulfill customer promises. Companies of all sizes across distribution, manufacturing, retail, and service parts trust our decision automation, backed by ML, AI, and GAINS (P3)SM methodology. To learn more about GAINS, follow us on LinkedIn or visit www.gainsystems.com.like Graybar, Honda Motors, Menards, Rockwell Automation, Stuller and Textron Aviation. GAINS® is a registered trademark and Move Forward FasterSM and Proven-Path-to-Performance (P3) SM are service marks of GAINSystems. Other products mentioned in this document are registered, trademarked or service marked by their respective owners. **Average Rating:** 3.2/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 3 **How Do G2 Users Rate GAINSystems?** - **Inventory collaboration:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind GAINSystems?** - **Seller:** [GAINSystems](https://www.g2.com/sellers/gainsystems) - **Year Founded:** 1971 - **HQ Location:** Atlanta, Georgia, United States - **Twitter:** @GAINSystemsInc (181 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/gainsystems/ (159 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 67% Enterprise, 33% Mid-Market ### 24. [Hakio](https://www.g2.com/products/hakio/reviews) Hakio is an AI-powered demand forecasting and replenishment platform built exclusively for the fashion industry. It helps brands improve forecast accuracy, optimize availability, and reduce excess inventory by combining advanced AI models with the specific context of their business. Unlike generic solutions, Hakio is designed for the unique challenges of fashion, such as seasonal collections, NOOS (Never Out of Stock) programs, complex size curves, and demand fluctuations caused by campaigns, presales, and different sales channels. The platform integrates sales, inventory, and ERP data to deliver actionable suggestions that enable faster and more informed buying and replenishment decisions. With Hakio, fashion brands can increase forecast accuracy, improve product availability without overstocking, automate time-consuming manual processes, and gain a real-time overview of demand and inventory needs across collections and channels. Whether managing wholesale, e-commerce, or multi-channel retail, Hakio provides the clarity and control needed to plan purchases confidently, balance stock, and protect margins. **Average Rating:** 4.8/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 2 **How Do G2 Users Rate Hakio?** - **Inventory collaboration:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Forecast collaboration:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) - **Comprehensive Planning:** 7.5/10 (Category avg: 8.5/10) **Who Is the Company Behind Hakio?** - **Seller:** [Hakio](https://www.g2.com/sellers/hakio) - **Year Founded:** 2022 - **HQ Location:** Aarhus, DK - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/hakio-aps (31 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 100% Small-Business #### What Are Hakio's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Ease of Use (2 reviews) - Efficiency (2 reviews) - Customer Support (1 reviews) - Forecasting Accuracy (1 reviews) - Insights (1 reviews) **Cons:** - Data Management (1 reviews) - Limited Customization (1 reviews) - Technical Issues (1 reviews) ### 25. [HIMPACT](https://www.g2.com/products/himpact/reviews) HIMPACTs innovations leverage todays technology base to add greater insights into the buying process: Advanced daily demand forecasting, daily analytics and alerts improve sales and customer service. **Average Rating:** 5.0/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 2 **How Do G2 Users Rate HIMPACT?** - **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10) **Who Is the Company Behind HIMPACT?** - **Seller:** [Herlitzim](https://www.g2.com/sellers/herlitzim) - **Year Founded:** 1984 - **HQ Location:** Woburn, US - **Twitter:** @herlitzim (4 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/bfc-software/ (66 employees on LinkedIn®) **Who Uses This Product?** - **Company Size:** 100% Small-Business, 50% Mid-Market #### What Are HIMPACT's Pros and Cons? **Pros:** - Analytics (1 reviews) - Forecasting Accuracy (1 reviews) - Inventory Management (1 reviews) **Cons:** - Lacking Features (1 reviews) - Limitations (1 reviews) - Poor Reporting (1 reviews) ## What Is Demand Planning Software? [Supply Chain & Logistics Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/supply-chain-logistics) ## What Software Categories Are Similar to Demand Planning Software? - [Inventory Control Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/inventory-control-software) - [Supply Chain Planning Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/supply-chain-planning) - [Sales & Ops Planning Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/sales-ops-planning) --- ## How Do You Choose the Right Demand Planning Software? ### What You Should Know About Demand Planning Software ### What is Demand Planning Software? Demand planning software (also known as demand forecasting software) automates the process of predicting consumer demand to optimize inventory levels. Demand forecasting entails analyzing buying behavior, seasonal patterns, and consumer trends to determine appropriate levels of stock. The ultimate goal is stock optimization—to not have too much or too little inventory.  Achieving optimal inventory is an important business task because overstocking can lead to dead stock (or unused and unsellable products), which creates unnecessary carrying costs and sales losses. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a shortage of products can result in consumer frustration over sellouts and unavailable products. Demand planning software successfully resolves these issues using analytical tools and collecting point of sale (POS) data to anticipate the necessary size of future reserves. Forecasting metrics can thus inform supply chain management, inventory control, and sales and operations (S&Op) strategy.  ### What are the Common Features of Demand Planning Software? Demand planning software solutions carry out the tasks involved in planning future inventory levels. Thus, all features of this software will in some way automate the process. **Product portfolio management:** Demand forecasting software must oversee the product lifecycle, from launch to end-of-life planning. Many products in a business’ portfolio are interdependent, so studying lifecycles in the context of an entire product mix is crucial. Understanding the portfolio mix, in turn, helps understand how demand for similar products affects the demand for another item.  **Statistical forecasting:** Using historical data to create predictive models is a central feature of demand forecasting software. These algorithms are developed in a meticulous statistical process of evaluating outliers, exclusions, and assumptions. Linear regression is often used to accomplish this, and it entails taking previous demand levels, plotting them on a graph, and creating a “line of best fit” to help predict where demand will be in the future. **Demand sensing:** Incorporating seasonal patterns and current events in the projection of consumer demand is also part of demand planning software. Current events could include disruptions to the supply chain due to weather, infectious diseases, government regulations, and historical trends. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning help accomplish this through inputting inflowing, real-time data into computer algorithms. **Trade promotion management:** Trade and marketing promotions naturally spark consumer interest and demand. Supply planning accounts for the likely increase in demand due to limited-time marketing initiatives, promotional tools, and pricing changes. Demand planning software will incorporate these into its statistical models. **AI and machine learning:** The difference between pen-and-paper supply chain planning that internal teams conduct and demand forecasting software is the presence of AI and machine learning to develop algorithms and statistical models. A core feature of this software is the ability of a computer to continuously incorporate real-time data and develop insights for effective supply chain strategies.  **Metrics:** The final stage of demand planning is assessing results to determine the accuracy and effectiveness of the project, often quantified as key performance indicators (KPIs). Demand planning tools help businesses track the attainment of KPIs throughout and after the forecasting process. Some key metrics include forecast accuracy, inventory turns, fill rates, costs of goods sold, and order fulfillment lead times. ### What are the Benefits of Demand Planning Software? Demand forecasting software effectively automates the process of inventory management to react to changes in consumer demand. What once was an imperfect human process can now be accomplished through computer algorithms and AI. This entails the following benefits: **Improved forecast accuracy:** The most crucial aspect of demand planning is the accuracy of the forecast. Finetuned reporting means more insight into anticipated company revenue. In addition, this software can use the preciseness of a current project to improve future projects. For example, if the algorithm is repeatedly underestimating or overestimating demand, it can recalibrate until it more closely matches future consumer demand. **Effective inventory levels:** Achieving the perfect balance between overstocking and understocking is the end goal of demand planning. With proper forecasting of stock demand, a business can ensure warehouses and brick-and-mortar stores have enough stock to prevent sellouts, but not too much that products pile up and become unsellable. Effective replenishment of stock, thus, leads to greater revenue.  **Efficient production scheduling:** When changes in customer demand are expected, businesses can better anticipate production scheduling, warehousing, and shipping. This is crucial because more streamlined warehousing leads to greater profits. **Optimized labor scheduling:** Labor is one of the most expensive costs associated with manufacturing, and planning systems help optimize this through allocating labor appropriately based on expected fluctuations in production. For example, more workers can be scheduled if a busy season is expected. On the other hand, a projection of shrinking demand would lead to fewer scheduled workers to prevent overpaying for labor. In addition, expectations on the timing of completion of projects can be set for employees to work toward when demand planning predicts a change in consumer demand. **Effective product launching:** For a new product to be successfully launched, its predicted demand must also be calculated. Demand forecasting solutions accelerate the idea-to-commercialization cycle by connecting high-level ideation with feasibility models and scenario-based profitability modeling. ### Who Uses Demand Planning Software? Multiple people are involved in the supply chain forecasting process. All of these professionals will come in touch with the functionalities of demand planning software. **Demand planners:** People who are trained in advanced statistical analysis and responsible for the punching of hard numbers are called demand planners. These professionals will work most closely with demand planning software, and they are responsible for logistics optimization. Demand planners are the ones who can speak the language of computers and know how to manipulate data to produce compelling insights in supply chain decisions.  **Sales and marketing:** Promotional events help drive consumer demand, so people involved in sales and marketing will be looped in during the production planning process to ensure future environmental variables help inform the statistical analysis. **Buyers or supply chain managers:** People involved in the purchasing process and management of the supply chain will need to be comfortable using demand planning software. When a restriction in market activity is expected, buyers can ensure fewer raw materials are purchased. On the contrary, when the market is expected to expand, buyers ensure enough tools and materials are available for replenishment and warehousing. **Product managers:** Executives who are responsible for the management of product suites and high-level business strategy can speak fluently about the product mix and items of interest. They assist in the demand planning process by acting as a subject matter expert on brand strategy, lead times for components, and production times.  #### Software Related to Demand Planning Software Demand planning software is but one facet of the logistics and supply chain industry, it is related to other software solutions that optimize the comprehensive process of selling, procurement, replenishment, and inventory management. [Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems:](https://www.g2.com/categories/erp-systems) ERP systems integrate all aspects of a production-based or distribution business, and they contain financial management, HR, supply chain management, and manufacturing and distribution. ERPs are perhaps most crucial to demand planning software because they provide the data that will be used to develop the forecast. [Supply chain planning software:](https://www.g2.com/categories/supply-chain-planning) This software helps plan and organize various aspects of the supply chain. It accomplishes this through detecting issues in the supply chain and predicting supply and demand from consumers. Thus, the predictive features that accompany this software can be used directly with demand planning software. [Inventory control software](https://www.g2.com/categories/inventory-control) **:** Software that assists in the maintenance of proper inventory levels is vital in the functioning of demand planning. This software often uses barcodes and radio-frequency identification when working with stock keeping units (SKUs). Thus, inventory control systems that trigger restocks or prevent overaccumulation of goods will improve the process of responding to consumer demand.  ### Challenges with Demand Planning Software Although demand planning software (and the demand planning process, in general) has the potential to significantly improve a business’ supply chain strategy, it is not without potential downsides and complications. **Complex and theoretical:** Some businesses, especially small businesses, believe demand planning software overcomplicate supply chain management. They may not have the manpower to accomplish the daunting process, and the abstract nature of demand planning may not seem worth it. **Cost:** The demand planning process can be very expensive, as it is the result of statisticians, warehousing, product managers, finance, and IT professionals who collaborate. Some companies simply may not have the financial resources to accomplish this. ### How to Buy Demand Planning Software #### Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for Demand Planning Software The first step in selecting the appropriate software for a company is to accrue a list of requirements that the software must satisfy. Buyers must begin with a long list of requirements that has more broad criteria, and then narrow down to a short list that has more urgent and industry-specific criteria. #### Compare Demand Planning Software Products **Create a long list** Buyers can begin creating a long list by mapping out a business’ demand stream and demand drivers, and display the input and output, as well as any technology that is already in use for the demand planning process. The availability of the following features should be considered when creating the list: - Available languages and global support - Ease of integration - Multiple calendar support, such as finance and production **Create a short list** Finally, to create the short list, buyers may consider the statistical analyses the business currently relies on to forecast demand, and then choose which software best fits the existing processes. - Full suite of statistical forecasting methods (i.e., ARIMAX, econometric, cluster analysis) - Forecast generation using hierarchies, event or pricing models, and what-if scenarios - Error measurement protocol - Data visualization tools - POS data capabilities **Conduct demos** Next, it is crucial to schedule product demonstrations with vendors of interest. Buyers should ask them to show the process of data input, statistical tests conducted, and visualization of data. #### Selection of Demand Planning Software **Choose a selection team** A selection team must be formed of various professionals throughout the business to ensure the winning software meets various criteria across organizational needs. These stakeholders include project managers, product managers, IT, and functional end users of the product. **Negotiation** Vendors will bring their strongest salespeople to the negotiating table, so one should be prepared to advocate for their business interests and needs.  **Final decision** The final decision will balance nice-to-haves with must-haves. The ultimate decision on which software to purchase should be a collaborative process with full team buy-in. Purchasing demand planning software is a major financial and human capital investment; as such, the whole planning team should approve. ### What Does Demand Planning Software Cost? Demand planning software tools are expensive, ranging anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000 per user. The number of bells and whistles and advanced features will determine the final price tag. More generally, this software costs about $5,000 to $6,000 for every $100,000 of revenue. However, a company with the resources to afford may find it to be a worthwhile investment due to  indirect cost savings and return on investment (ROI) for more effective supply chain management. #### Return on Investment (ROI) ROI is the time it takes for the cost incurred by an investment to be negated through increases in profitability and efficiency. Demand planning is a long, complicated, and expensive process, so it may take a while to reach ROI. According to G2 data as of September 16, 2021, businesses achieved ROI in the following intervals with demand planning software: - 18.6% accomplished ROI in less than six months - 37.2% accomplished ROI between seven and 12 months - 20.9% accomplished ROI between 13 and 24 months - 4.7% accomplished ROI between 24 and 36 months - 4.7% accomplished ROI between 37 and 48 months - 9.3% accomplished ROI after 48 months - 4.7% never accomplished ROI  ### Demand Planning Software Trends **Point of sale (POS) data** An important trend in the demand planning software market is the integration of real-time POS data into the forecasting process. This means that when an item is scanned at checkout, the data is automatically integrated into algorithms and data sets. **Internet of things (IoT) devices** IoT devices improve demand planning by providing real-time updates on the status of raw materials in the production process and the movement of inventory. It can also monitor sales as they happen, allowing the distributors to quickly replenish items that are selling faster than the model predicted.