Oracle previews Oracle Rapid Planning software

Nadeem Syed, Oracle's group vice president for value chain planning, says it will enable manufacturers to gain rapid, predictive and actionable insight into supply chain planning decisions. Syed explains that the new software will combine fast, constraint-based planning with a web services and open, standards-based architecture, as well as a superior user interface that allows easy manipulation of data and quick comparisons of alternative plans. The result, he says, will be fast, event-driven simultaneous material and capacity planning for very quick 'what if' analysis, as well as real-time evaluation of supply chain events. All of which will be assisted by embedded analytics and the spreadsheet-style flexible user-interface, with exceptions and scenario comparisons. "Today, companies need to be flexible and fast enough to quickly respond to operational challenges and mitigate business impact," says Syed. "Rapid Planning will extend the value of Oracle's leading supply chain applications by providing the insight needed to instantly act on information and drive greater collaboration and business success." He cites positive impact on sales and operations planning, particularly in terms of scenario simulation, when integrated with Oracle's Demantra forecasting system and its Advanced Supply Chain Planning suite. And he refers to constraint modelling, with the ability to mimic real-life planner decision-making, such as alternate BoMs (bills of material), routings, sources and shipping methods, substitution and lead times. General availability of the software is scheduled for some time this year for current and earlier versions of Oracle E-Business Suite, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne and Value Chain Planning applications. It will also be available as a stand-alone option for use with SAP applications.