Supply chain forecasting and planning: Vanguard introduces IBP Connector for Microsoft Dynamics AX, 365

Vanguard Software has outfitted its Integrated Business Planning (IBP) platform for a two-way integration with Microsoft Dynamics AX and Dynamics 365 for Operations

Vanguard's new connector and integration tools bring its forecasting and planning applications to Microsoft Dynamics AX users in days, rather than weeks or months, the company announced this week. They went on to say that the integration can benefit organizations in various industries that use or plan to use Dynamics AX 2012 or Dynamics 365 for Operations (formerly AX7).

Vanguard IBP applications are designed help organizations optimize production scheduling, inventory management, logistics, and financial planning. They are integrated to drive the entire sales and operation planning or integration business planning process, according to officials.

"As most customers in the Dynamics space know - and Microsoft has come out and said this - [Dynamics AX] is not a forecasting application," says Neal Goffman, Vanguard's chief sales and marketing officer. "There's nothing in the solution for forecasting, so Microsoft has said multiple times customers should integrate with their forecasting tools, specifically for supply chain."

Vanguard IBP also features detailed simulation and optimization modules that adjust for strong seasonal demand, limited historical sales, and more, according to officials. It further features advanced automation that applies the optimal forecast method automatically - a key benefit for non-expert business users.

Goffman says Vanguard developed the connector so that it syncs up with Dynamics applications in real time, giving customers a forecasting solution integrated with their Dynamics apps.

"This is applicable for all types of organizations but predominantly those who are investing in it have a little more intense supply chains ...