EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a discussion I had the other day with a new connection/follower on LinkedIn. I will take you through the entire unedited DM exchange because these are the types of preliminary discussions that need to occur between practitioners and providers. Remember that I am talking with someone from a global enterprise that generates $1.1 billion in annual revenue.
“As of 2023, Blue Yonder, a leading supply chain management software company, reported an estimated annual revenue of approximately $1.1 billion. Blue Yonder specializes in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven supply chain solutions, helping businesses manage their supply chain, logistics, and inventory.
In 2021, the company was acquired by Panasonic Corporation, which has further integrated Blue Yonder’s technology into its portfolio to enhance its supply chain offerings.” – ChatGPT
Solution Provider: Blue Yonder solves all types of supply chain problems with an AI-powered software. Our platform would perform demand forecasting, Supply Planning, TMS, WMS , Ecommerce after few critical one. We are owned by Panasonic!
JWH: Can we schedule a demonstration of your platform? I have been in high-tech and procurement for more than 40 years, and while I have heard of Panasonic, I have not heard of Blue Yonder. I want to learn more.
Solution Provider: @Jon W. Hansen Sure we could work on that. Please let me know what is your objective for the demo. We have been a leading software vendor for many years in 3 magic quadrants of Gartner for a long period. BlueYonder was formerly known as JDA Software and acquired companies – Manugistics, i2 Technologies, Yantricks, One Nework , Flexis …Here are additional detail . https://blueyonder.com/why-blue-yonder/end-to-end-planning-and-execution
JWH: JDA – brings back memories, as do Manugistics, i2. I am not as familiar with Yantracks or Flexis – Network One; however, they did promise a demo but never got back to me or, in fact, other analysts. With the shakeup coming in 2025, Gartner doesn’t carry as much weight (and creditability) as it used to—certainly not with experienced analysts and a growing number in the C-Suite. They will also have a tough time engaging with the underserved SME market, where many solution providers are starting to focus. That said, the fact that Panasonic owns you adds an interesting dimension to what appears to be a suite of solutions. You will find this post from my Procurement Insights archives an interesting read – https://procureinsights.com/2024/05/11/2005-sred-related-report-on-eprocurement-software-industry-tells-a-revealing-story-in-2024/
Solution Provider: Jon, Thank you for your insight. Curious to know what you mean by “With the shakeup coming in 2025”. Meanwhile, I will read your article of yours, thank you for sharing!
I finished reading, it is an amazing history of all SCM software companies. JDA acquired Germany-based BlueYonder in 2018. They were a leading AI /ML-based forecasting software company later JDA name was changed to BlueYonder as our approach changed. Then our company acquired Yantricks (IBM Sterling Yantra capabilities ), Flexis (Germany-based detailed factory-level planning software specialized for the auto industry) , and One Network is a multi-enterprise software. For example, it helps to collaborate with suppliers when it comes to procurement. Panasonic bring in different IOT sensors and edge computation methods to us. Hope this helps.
JWH: In the late 1990s, the government’s Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) program funded my research into strand commonality. Using an agent-based model, I developed the first web-based procurement platform for MRO products to support the Department of National Defence – and later the NYCTA. The heart of the program was my use of advanced self-learning algorithms within a nascent AI platform. Based on the results for the end clients, I made a mistake that I regret to this day—I sold my company and corresponding patent in 2001 for $12 million. I should have never sold it because the work I was doing back then is now hitting full stride. Here is a high-level overview of the agent-based model I used for the DND – https://bit.ly/3FBnFRr
Once again, when can I see a demo of your platform individually and collectively?
As for the shake-up, the field of competition is about to change dramatically, as up to 75% of the logos on the various solution maps will either be gone by absorption, acquisition, or closing their doors. The same trend that was happening in 2000 with the dot com boom is happening now. Here are a few links – in no particular order, that will make for good reading:
Solution Provider: Awesome – Thanks a lot For sharing – Will read through this
JWH: Well, that is terrific. Free insight and advice – I hope to see a demo soon. 😉 In the meantime, a great discussion is going on here. Definitely worth an article.
Today’s Post Takeaway
To fully understand a solution provider today, you must also understand its genealogy. For example, BlueYonder was formerly known as JDA Software and acquired companies such as Manugistics, i2 Technologies, Yantricks, One Nework, and Flexis. One of the first questions to ask is how successful these organizations were before the acquisition and merger. Let’s face it, if their individual implementation success rate is low, how will cobbling them together lead to a better collective outcome?
Did you notice I asked for a demo three times without receiving a direct answer? What does that tell you? Before selling my company in the late 1990s and early 2000s, I loved demonstrating our solution. In fact, many companies hired us for supplier discovery purposes, providing insight that led to significant (and measurable) benefits.
Please note that in my response, I provided insights and corresponding reference links, including a case overview that outlines the logic behind agent-based modeling. Conversely, the only link I received from the solution provider was to the main landing page, which also features the Gartner Magic Quadrants. There are notable case studies under the “Success Stories” tab, but I couldn’t access any of them (see image below):
Finally, and this will take time, check the success of the listed clients in the past. To what degree did these clients play a lead role – like the Commonwealth of Virginia, where they would have succeeded with any solution provider’s platform:
“As a result, they avoided the trap of eVA becoming a software project, as Bob put it, and were thereby able to shift the emphasis from an exercise in cost justification to one of process understanding and refinement. And while the Ariba application has done the job it was required to do, eVA’s effectiveness has little to do with the technology and more to do with the methodology the Virginia Brain Trust employed. When technology (nee software) is seen as the primary vehicle to drive results, it becomes ineffectual and mostly irrelevant. The 75 to 85% e-procurement initiative failure rate verifies this fact.”
Remember—no solution provider can make you successful. As a practitioner-client, you must take the lead and take full charge of your initiative’s success.
ADDED NOTE: I did receive a response after my third request for a demo. Here it is:
30
Procurement Insights
Why Is It So Hard To See An Actual Demo Of A ProcureTech Solution?
Posted on September 25, 2024
0
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a discussion I had the other day with a new connection/follower on LinkedIn. I will take you through the entire unedited DM exchange because these are the types of preliminary discussions that need to occur between practitioners and providers. Remember that I am talking with someone from a global enterprise that generates $1.1 billion in annual revenue.
“As of 2023, Blue Yonder, a leading supply chain management software company, reported an estimated annual revenue of approximately $1.1 billion. Blue Yonder specializes in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven supply chain solutions, helping businesses manage their supply chain, logistics, and inventory.
In 2021, the company was acquired by Panasonic Corporation, which has further integrated Blue Yonder’s technology into its portfolio to enhance its supply chain offerings.” – ChatGPT
Solution Provider: Blue Yonder solves all types of supply chain problems with an AI-powered software. Our platform would perform demand forecasting, Supply Planning, TMS, WMS , Ecommerce after few critical one. We are owned by Panasonic!
JWH: Can we schedule a demonstration of your platform? I have been in high-tech and procurement for more than 40 years, and while I have heard of Panasonic, I have not heard of Blue Yonder. I want to learn more.
Solution Provider: @Jon W. Hansen Sure we could work on that. Please let me know what is your objective for the demo. We have been a leading software vendor for many years in 3 magic quadrants of Gartner for a long period. BlueYonder was formerly known as JDA Software and acquired companies – Manugistics, i2 Technologies, Yantricks, One Nework , Flexis …Here are additional detail . https://blueyonder.com/why-blue-yonder/end-to-end-planning-and-execution
JWH: JDA – brings back memories, as do Manugistics, i2. I am not as familiar with Yantracks or Flexis – Network One; however, they did promise a demo but never got back to me or, in fact, other analysts. With the shakeup coming in 2025, Gartner doesn’t carry as much weight (and creditability) as it used to—certainly not with experienced analysts and a growing number in the C-Suite. They will also have a tough time engaging with the underserved SME market, where many solution providers are starting to focus. That said, the fact that Panasonic owns you adds an interesting dimension to what appears to be a suite of solutions. You will find this post from my Procurement Insights archives an interesting read – https://procureinsights.com/2024/05/11/2005-sred-related-report-on-eprocurement-software-industry-tells-a-revealing-story-in-2024/
Solution Provider: Jon, Thank you for your insight. Curious to know what you mean by “With the shakeup coming in 2025”. Meanwhile, I will read your article of yours, thank you for sharing!
I finished reading, it is an amazing history of all SCM software companies. JDA acquired Germany-based BlueYonder in 2018. They were a leading AI /ML-based forecasting software company later JDA name was changed to BlueYonder as our approach changed. Then our company acquired Yantricks (IBM Sterling Yantra capabilities ), Flexis (Germany-based detailed factory-level planning software specialized for the auto industry) , and One Network is a multi-enterprise software. For example, it helps to collaborate with suppliers when it comes to procurement. Panasonic bring in different IOT sensors and edge computation methods to us. Hope this helps.
JWH: In the late 1990s, the government’s Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) program funded my research into strand commonality. Using an agent-based model, I developed the first web-based procurement platform for MRO products to support the Department of National Defence – and later the NYCTA. The heart of the program was my use of advanced self-learning algorithms within a nascent AI platform. Based on the results for the end clients, I made a mistake that I regret to this day—I sold my company and corresponding patent in 2001 for $12 million. I should have never sold it because the work I was doing back then is now hitting full stride. Here is a high-level overview of the agent-based model I used for the DND – https://bit.ly/3FBnFRr
Once again, when can I see a demo of your platform individually and collectively?
As for the shake-up, the field of competition is about to change dramatically, as up to 75% of the logos on the various solution maps will either be gone by absorption, acquisition, or closing their doors. The same trend that was happening in 2000 with the dot com boom is happening now. Here are a few links – in no particular order, that will make for good reading:
Solution Provider: Awesome – Thanks a lot For sharing – Will read through this
JWH: Well, that is terrific. Free insight and advice – I hope to see a demo soon. 😉 In the meantime, a great discussion is going on here. Definitely worth an article.
Today’s Post Takeaway
To fully understand a solution provider today, you must also understand its genealogy. For example, BlueYonder was formerly known as JDA Software and acquired companies such as Manugistics, i2 Technologies, Yantricks, One Nework, and Flexis. One of the first questions to ask is how successful these organizations were before the acquisition and merger. Let’s face it, if their individual implementation success rate is low, how will cobbling them together lead to a better collective outcome?
Did you notice I asked for a demo three times without receiving a direct answer? What does that tell you? Before selling my company in the late 1990s and early 2000s, I loved demonstrating our solution. In fact, many companies hired us for supplier discovery purposes, providing insight that led to significant (and measurable) benefits.
Please note that in my response, I provided insights and corresponding reference links, including a case overview that outlines the logic behind agent-based modeling. Conversely, the only link I received from the solution provider was to the main landing page, which also features the Gartner Magic Quadrants. There are notable case studies under the “Success Stories” tab, but I couldn’t access any of them (see image below):
Finally, and this will take time, check the success of the listed clients in the past. To what degree did these clients play a lead role – like the Commonwealth of Virginia, where they would have succeeded with any solution provider’s platform:
“As a result, they avoided the trap of eVA becoming a software project, as Bob put it, and were thereby able to shift the emphasis from an exercise in cost justification to one of process understanding and refinement. And while the Ariba application has done the job it was required to do, eVA’s effectiveness has little to do with the technology and more to do with the methodology the Virginia Brain Trust employed. When technology (nee software) is seen as the primary vehicle to drive results, it becomes ineffectual and mostly irrelevant. The 75 to 85% e-procurement initiative failure rate verifies this fact.”
Remember—no solution provider can make you successful. As a practitioner-client, you must take the lead and take full charge of your initiative’s success.
ADDED NOTE: I did receive a response after my third request for a demo. Here it is:
30
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