Hello everyone,
I would like to ask whether anyone using IFS Demand Planner is working not only with a standard sales forecast but also with constrained demand.
In our current setup, we are using Demand Planner where the forecast is maintained in the Adjusted Forecast. This forecast is then transferred to the Master Schedule and serves as the basis for both procurement and production planning.
However, we are facing a common challenge:
- The forecast often represents unconstrained demand, i.e., what sales teams would like to sell, without reflecting actual production or capacity constraints.
- Alternatively, the planning team adjusts the forecast down to a constrained demand level, so that it better reflects what we are realistically able to produce and deliver.
I would be interested to understand how others are handling this:
- Are you working with both unconstrained and constrained demand in parallel?
- How do you incorporate capacity constraints into your planning process?
- Do you manage this directly within Demand Planner, or do you handle it later (e.g., in Master Scheduling or another step)?
Also, could anyone advise on how to set this up so that both forecasts can be maintained and used in parallel? Would you recommend handling this within Demand Planner, within the Master Schedule, or using a different approach or tool?
Any insights, best practices, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance!
