9.4
Editor’s Rating:
Best Overall
Intuendi: Dashboard
Intuendi
  • Agile and responsive interface
  • Advanced forecasting algorithms
  • Professionally-guided onboarding
8.6
Editor’s Rating:
Best for Customization
Avercast: Demand Forecasting
Avercast
  • Over 200 forecasting algorithms
  • Direct output to Excel
  • Custom reports
8.7
Editor’s Rating:
Seamless ERP Integration
NETSTOCK: Dashboard
NETSTOCK
  • Cloud-based
  • Integrates with leading ERP systems
  • Uses ERP data to forecast supply and demand

We’ve evaluated the best demand planning software on the market, including GoFreight, Magaya, and Soloplan.

1 Intuendi - Best Overall

Why we chose it: Intuendi is the best overall demand planning software because of its AI-powered forecasting and advanced algorithms. Intuendi leverages artificial intelligence to streamline the planning process, making forecasting more accurate and efficient. The software’s AI also helps in purchase order management, including real-time container space estimates and order suggestions.

Intuendi offers both top-down and bottom-up forecasting options, and users can further customize how data is used. Beyond forecasting, Intuendi provides strong inventory management tools and continuous online support.

Best Overall:
Intuendi
★★★★★
★★★★★
(2)

Intuendi: Dashboard
Intuendi: Purchase Orders
Intuendi: Aggregated Forecast Data
Intuendi: Posts
Intuendi: Forecast
Intuendi: Orders
Intuendi: Inventory and Stock Evolution
Intuendi: Replenishment Suggestions
Intuendi: Inventory Search
Intuendi: Inventory Solution
Intuendi: Inventory
Intuendi: Budget
Intuendi: Forecast
Intuendi: Revenue
Intuendi: Dashboard
What We Like
Agile and responsive interface
Advanced forecasting algorithms
Professionally-guided onboarding
What We Don’t Like
Integrating with third-party ERP solutions may require some customization
Only recommends for 3-5 users
No mobile apps for on-the-go remote access
Overview
Price Range: $$$$
Starting Price: $1,500/month
Client OS: Web
Deployment: Cloud Hosted

2 Avercast - Best for Customization

Why we chose it: We think Avercast is the best in terms of customization due to its tailor custom screens, features, and functions to meet the unique demands of businesses. With extensive forecasting algorithms, Avercast offers more precise inventory planning.

In addition, it offers tools like ABC analysis, exception management, safety stock optimization, and service level optimization that can be fine-tuned to user perferences.

Best for Customization:
Avercast
★★★★★
★★★★★
(3)

Avercast: Demand Forecasting
Avercast: Inventory Planning
Avercast: Sales and Operations Planning
Avercast: Avercast
What We Like
Over 200 forecasting algorithms
Direct output to Excel
Custom reports
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Starting Price: $1,000/user/month
Client OS: Windows, Web
Deployment: Cloud Hosted

3 Netstock - Seamless ERP Integration

Why we chose it: We found Netstock best for integrations because it connects with the largest ERPS, including Acumatica, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, and SAP Business One. It offers improved forecasts by considering trends, seasonality, promotions, and events. Automated planning and collaboration across departments enhance the forecasting process.

However, we found a few aspects of Netstock limiting; the high learning curve and lack of flexibility for lower packages are definite drawbacks. You also can’t edit previous spikes in demand. However, it integrates well with ERP systems, and provides deep granularity in planning. We did wish for a bit more customization in reports, but the ability to run “what-if” scenarios and the ability to have a single dashboard view of inventory KPIs seemed like it would aid well in decision-making.

Best Overall:
NETSTOCK

NETSTOCK: Dashboard
NETSTOCK: Forecasting
NETSTOCK: Forecasts
NETSTOCK: Inventory Classification
NETSTOCK: Inventory Classification
What We Like
Cloud-based
Integrates with leading ERP systems
Uses ERP data to forecast supply and demand
What We Don’t Like
Cannot leave comments when adjusting forecasts
Cannot indicate demand outliers for future forecasts
Learning curve for new users
Overview
Client OS: Web
Deployment: Cloud Hosted

4 Slim4 - Extensive Industry Coverage

Why we chose it: We found that Slim4 is suitable for inventory holding companies across all industries due to its versatility and simple integrations. One of Slim4’s strengths is its ability to be easily integrated with most ERP solutions on the market. This ensures that businesses can leverage its capabilities without major disruptions to their existing workflows.

Additionally, it has a relatively quick implementation timeline, with many users operational within three months. We like that Slim4 commits to delivering a return on investment within one year or less, making it an attractive option for any type of business seeking fast results.

Best for AI and Machine Learning:
Slim4

What We Like
Advanced forecasting algorithms
Easily integrated with most ERP systems
Quick implementation
Overview
Client OS: Windows

5 Stock IQ - Most Comprehensive Feature Set

Why we chose it: We found StockIQ’s feature set notable because it covers demand planning, inventory analytics, supplier performance, and replenishment planning. We also liked its multi-functional reporting and filtering options, enhancing data analysis.

Another feature worth mentioning is its dynamic forecasting system. It uses an advanced forecasting algorithm to account for historical sales data, trends, seasonality, and special events to predict future demand.

Best for AI and Machine Learning:
StockIQ

StockIQ: Inventory Holdings
What We Like
Responsive customer support
Multi-functional reporting and filtering options
Advanced forecasting algorithm
Overview
Price Range: $$$
Starting Price: $750/month
Client OS: Web

What Is Demand Planning Software?

Demand planning and forecasting software is a sales and operations planning (S&OP) technology that meets customer demand with the necessary level of supply. This is accomplished by coordinating data from separate units of the business (primarily sales, marketing, and operations) to make more informed supply chain planning decisions that directly relate to inventory optimization.

Accurate demand planning involves collecting historical data on order volumes and inventory turns while mixing it with continually updated forecasts from your sales personnel.

Demand Planning Software vs. Business Intelligence Software

Demand planning solutions can be thought of as a business intelligence software specifically for supply chain analytics. The software can estimate future sales to improve the accuracy of inventory management and its replenishment, better plan purchases, and ensure proper stocking levels.

The goal of demand planning software is to manage your supply chain more effectively to increase inventory turns and fill rates beyond what your ERP suite or supply chain management software can do for you.

Demand Planning Software o9
Create a demand plan in o9 Software.

Features of Demand Planning Software

Feature Description
Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) The overall management of your sales plan and operations plan, which includes tracking sales per month by product family, demand management (such as new product promotions and special offers), production per month by product tracking, workforce and inventory level tracking, and backorder management
Demand Planning Forecast demand for a product so it can be developed and shipped in as efficient as possible of ways
Inventory Planning Identify non-performing inventory SKUs and avoid overstocking. Scale for error to ensure under and over-forecasting situations even each other out.
Supplier Management Helps strategically plan and manage interactions with any vendors or suppliers of goods. Set reminders for reorders and reduce risk in your supply chain.
Product Info RELEX Demand Planning Software
View product info in RELEX.

How Much Does Demand Planning Software Cost?

Demand planning software pricing can vary widely. The monthly subscription cost can range from $1,000 to over $4,000. The setup or implementation fees can vary even more widely, from $30,000 to over $100,000. The specific pricing may depend on factors such as organization size, the complexity of the demand planning processes, and the level of customization required.

Benefit #1: Improve Sales and Operations Planning

The sales and operations planning process help businesses create plans to maintain current business and take on new customers with new products through proper management of the supply chain. The process can help merge insight from all departments of a business (such as sales, marketing, manufacturing, and more) to create an all-inclusive business plan intended to balance supply and demand. Execution between these departments centered around sales forecasts to make sure goods flowing through your supply chain is as optimized as possible.

The sales and operations planning process is something a business will want to conduct each month in various phases. This includes moving along the following processes:

  • Sales forecasting: This is the generation of historical data (past sales) to analyze trends and create proper expectations (demand forecasts)
  • Demand Planning: What are your current sales? What did your business forecast? Now, what did your business plan for? Demand planning in the sales and operations planning process is about validating your forecasts. Where does your demand typically come from? You’ll need to account for variability and adjust your inventory structure to account for it (if any).
  • Supply Planning: Your business will need to ensure your production levels are as close as possible to what you previously planned for (via demand planning). This step is about assessing your ability to meet demand, by reviewing available capacity and scheduling your production/output to the necessary level.
  • Reconciliation of plans: This stage will help balance your demand and supply with any financial considerations, and also ensure that the previous steps have been accounted for.
  • Finalize and link to the implementation: The execution stage of the process, and the final step in the sales and operations planning process. Usually, for larger (global) companies, the process is put into place and funnels down to regional supplies (depending on if the operation produces items globally or sold and produce at a regional level)
Blue Yonder Luminate Production Planning Software
Monitor production in Blue Younder Luminate (formerly JDA Demand Planning).

Benefit #2: More Accurate Stock Data With Inventory Optimization

To ensure proper inventory levels are in place to meet your demand, you need proper inventory optimization. Inventory optimization software automates the analyses of your entire inventory cycle.

An optimized inventory optimization solution will look at the differences between demand forecasts and historical sales data to come up with appropriate stocking levels. An incorrect forecast can lead to your business not being able to meet demand, which leads to products sitting idle, or even worse, that you aren’t able to fulfill sales orders on time.

Effective demand planning software will lead to your inventory being at its most optimal level by creating multiple what-if scenarios. This includes analyzing all parts of your supply chain, such as sourcing, production, warehousing, and transportation.

How does one change affect the other? What sort of impact does each change have on various types of inventory? Since inventory optimization can be seen as a form of predictive analytics, demand planning systems will give an accurate prediction of the amount and type of stock to carry.

Infor Supply Chain Planning Software
Supply and Operations Planning in Infor Supply Chain Planning.

Benefit #3: Optimize Labor Management

Demand planning software can also be used to plan for labor demand rather than inventory optimization. This type of demand planning will accurately determine the number of workers available, which can influence costs and the quality of service provided to customers. The end goal of labor-management via demand planning software will be to drive employee engagement and performance to enhance business results.

Workload analysis capabilities allow decision-makers to determine the standard time to produce a unit. This is opposed to a traditional and more subjective method of estimating the number of employees required for upcoming production periods.

By using workload analysis, you can determine the estimated number of workers by dividing the estimated number of hours needed to meet annual production by the workability of your workers.

Workers can also be incentivized for good performance. By establishing benchmarks, you can maximize workforce potential by recognizing good performances. Conversely, this lets you get visibility into completed tasks and any employee downtime.

GMDH Streamline Demand Planning Software
Demand forecasting in GMDH Streamline.

Benefit #4: Integrated Cash Flow Management

By including financials into your sales and operations planning processes, your entire organization will be able to better understand the data and how it can help plan and shape your financial goals. This includes planning capital projects effectively and scheduling maintenance repairs efficiently–all while knowing how it affects your bottom line.

Demand planning software can also improve cash flow by providing insight into how current inventory is impacting finance. Too much inventory can disrupt cash flow–leaving you unable to meet demand.

By forecasting financials along with demand, you’ll be able to have a more sophisticated budgeting process. Depending on how far ahead into the future you forecast, you’ll be able to use financial projections based on projected demand when creating budgets or when speaking to executives and decision-makers–giving you increased credibility with stakeholders.

Anaplan Cost Ledger Demand Planning Systems
A cost ledger in Anaplan.

Types of Demand Forecasting Methods

As demand is the biggest factor used when creating sales forecasts, you’ll want to make sure your business is using the most appropriate type of demand forecasting for the products you manufacture, the market you’re involved with, the staff you have on hand, and more.

Most demand planning and scheduling software will use predictive analytics capabilities to determine (to ascertain of a possibility as possible) how scheduling, production, inventory, and staffing should be allocated for production. However, there are other methods of demand planning to consider:

Delphi Method

Known as being one of the more time-consuming methods of demand planning, the Delphi Method surveys experts anonymously. The surveys are administered in multiple rounds of questions, each new question being generated based upon the summary of results received thus far.

The end goal of the Delphi Method is to get these experts to arrive at a consensus opinion. In the supply chain process, this consensus opinion is used in development for the ideation of new products, which can affect the inventory kept on hand.

Conjoint Analysis

This survey-based statistical technique takes into account perceived value and relies heavily on asking customers what they want. This is more of a judgemental approach to demand planning, as the survey planners (the forecasters) will ask the participants to make trade-offs when conflicts arise.

If a customer wants product A, will they take product B that has similar benefits/features? In a supply chain, conjoin analysis helps businesses determine the importance of the attributes and price of a product. This can let businesses shift in the features offered or adjust pricing to hit certain benchmarks in their overall sales. It can also let them know when a customer may consider buying a competitor’s product over theirs.

Avercast Software
Select your demand forecasting method with Avercast software.

Demand Planning vs Supply Planning

The difference between demand planning and supply planning is that demand planning forecasts customer demand, while supply planning manages inventory to meet this demand.

Demand planners use extensive data, including past sales, to produce both constrained and unconstrained demand forecasts, indicating potential demand with and without limitations. These forecasts help businesses manage orders efficiently and reduce inventory costs.

Supply planning aims to fulfill demand forecasts efficiently, focusing on manufacturing lead times, order quantities, production leveling, and safety stocks. It operates based on the demand plan, using it to generate a master production schedule. The supply plan then assesses capacity and resource impact, making necessary adjustments.

Read more: Demand Planning vs Supply Planning: What are the Differences?

Optimity Supply Planning Software
Supply planning in Optimity.

All Products

No products found
eTurns TrackStock Screenshot

eTurns TrackStock

★★★★★
★★★★★
(4)
eTurns TrackStock is simple, cloud-based inventory software that automates replenishment based on need and provides real-time inventory visibility into remote stockrooms. Using barcode scanners, smartphones, IoT weight sensors and RFID, eTurns TrackStock manages inventory at the point-of-use to increase sales and service levels, optimize inventory and eliminate stockouts. eTurns TrackStock helps customers decrease inventory levels by up to 73% and replenish inventory 90% faster than ordering
Starting Price
$175/month
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
Avercast Screenshot

Avercast

★★★★★
★★★★★
(3)
Avercast by TransImpact is a forecasting software used by demand planners meant to improve your supply chain performance.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$1,000/user/month
Client OS
Windows, Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
Anaplan Screenshot

Anaplan

★★★★★
★★★★★
(3)
Anaplan Connected Planning platform helps businesses turn response time to real time. The leading platform provider helps connect data, people, and plans across your business. Large and fast-growing organizations use Anaplan’s planning platform in every business function to make informed decisions and drive faster, more effective planning processes. Connected Planning will connect every facet of your company, from sales, finance, supply chain, IT, marketing, workforce, and more. The Anaplan
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
GMDH Streamline Screenshot

GMDH Streamline

★★★★★
★★★★★
(2)
GMDH Streamline is a supply chain planning tool designed to cut your inventory and sell more products. GMDH Streamline helps you meet your business goals through demand forecasting, inventory planning, inventory optimization, and material requirements planning (MRP). GMDH Streamline integrates with popular options such as Microsoft Excel; Microsoft Dynamics ; Intuit QuickBooks ; Unleashed ; Spire ; TradeGecko ; and Database. @youtube Predict consumer demand for goods or services based on
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
On-Premises
PlanetTogether Screenshot

PlanetTogether

★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)
PlanetTogether is an advanced planning and schedule platform (APS) for manufacturers to integrate in with their existing ERP software. The software aims to better your supply chain planning through faster delivery, higher efficiency, and accelerated cash flow. PlanetTogether enables capacity planning, production scheduling, and MRP (material requriements planning) to be linked to your ERP software. Real-time visualizations; Alerts and KPIs; Bottleneck and materials management; and “What-if”
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$250/user/month
Client OS
Windows, Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
RELEX Screenshot

RELEX

★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)
RELEX optimizes demand planning, merchandising, supply chain, and retail operations with their unified cloud-native Living Retail Platform. Machine learning can capture the impact of hundreds of demand drivers for highly accurate demand forecasting, improving panning processes across merchandising, supply chain, and operations with visibility into future demand. @youtube The processes improved through RELEX include: Maximize sales and margins with RELEX’s category management and merchandising
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
Infor Supply Chain Planning Screenshot

Infor Supply Chain Planning

★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)
Infor Supply Chain Planning (SCP), also known as Infor Demand Planning, balances supply and demand through modular applications to tackle key areas of complexity—all while making use of a shared, powerful, end-to-end platform. The platform provides solutions to help businesses with demand planning and sensing, supply planning, production planning and scheduling, inventory optimization, integrated business planning (IBP), and sales and operations planning. @vimeo Infor Supply Chain Planning is an
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
NETSTOCK Screenshot
NETSTOCK is a cloud-based inventory management software that helps place orders quicker, minimize stock-outs, and reduce excess stock. This saves time on planning, forecasting, and ordering—all while retaining customers and increasing your sales. NETSTOCK integrates with the largest ERPs, such as Acumatica ERP, NetSuite ERP, MYOB, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP Business One, and Sage. @youtube Dashboards: Track inventory performance with KPIs; Item Classification: Classify items by value and velocity;
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
StockTrim Screenshot

StockTrim

★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)
StockTrim is an inventory planning and forecasting software that predicts future stock requirements to converse up to 40% of working capital. The solution helps eliminate the use of spreadsheets and has been proven to reduce stock-outs by 50%, reduce over-stocking by 20-40%, and save 75% more time. StockTrim will work with your company to optimize inventory levels, calculate safety stocks, and generate the most optimal purchase order plans. @youtube Intuitive Order Plan: Easily see how much you
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$99/month
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
o9 Software Screenshot
o9 Software is a demand planning solution that lets you deploy out of the box planning & analytics solutions and add in your in-house analytics—creating a differentiated digital operating model. The demand planning software helps organization predict demand better, as well as sense, analyze, plan, and shape demand to optimize sales and margin performance. @youtube The following features are broken up into knowledge models: Revenue Growth Management; Demand planning; NPI Planning; Market
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
Arkieva Screenshot

Arkieva

Arkieva is a one-plan S&OP software that helps improve your supply chain intelligence. Demand planning, inventory planning, supply cain planning, and S&OP management are all cross-functionally integrated for your entire team. The core functionalities of Arkieva are broken down into various solutions: Causal Forecasting; Collaborative Forecasting; Customer Sentiment Analysis; Demand Analysis; Life Cycle Management; Performance Management; and Statistical Forecasting. Rough Cut Capacity Planning
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
On-Premises
Optimity Screenshot
Optimity is a supply chain planning solution that provides your manufacturing/distribution business with clear visibility and control over your supply chain processes. This solution directly addresses the difficulties of increasing costs and competition. The Optimity Supply Chain Planning Suite is packed with features that will transform the way you approach planning. Optimity harnesses the very best in supply chain optimization technology to deliver superior visibility, control and simplicity
Client OS
Windows, Web
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
Demand Works Smoothie Screenshot
Demand Works Smoothie was a demand planning tool. It was acquired in 2021. Features were migrated to Netstock’s Sales & Operations planning module.
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$5,000 (perpetual license)
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
Blue Yonder Luminate Screenshot
Blue Yonder Luminate (formerly JDA Demand Planning) provides: Predictive scenario planning for complete visibility, automation and control; Drives effective business outcomes across transportation, warehouse, labor, and distribution networks; and Delivers dynamics eCommerce and in-store experiences to consumers right from the start of their shopping journey.. @youtube The Luminate Platform from Blue Yonder includes: Luminate Planning helps intelligently predict potential problems and
Logility Inventory Optimization Screenshot
Logility Inventory Optimization software is designed for multi-echelon inventory optimization (MEIO). This solution controls all stages and locations of your supply chain network to reduce carrying costs. You can even evaluate “what-if” scenarios to implement better cost and service alternatives. Synchronize inventory goals; Automate inventory policy updates and changes; Optimize a multi-echelon supply chain; Categorize types of inventory (Finished, WIP, Component, Raw); Gain new insights on
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
StockIQ Screenshot
StockIQ is a supply chain planning software designed to improve your inventory efficiency through enhanced visibility. StockIQ targets distributors and 3PL’s. The software helps improve forecast accuracy, reduce inventory levels, improve turns, reduce stockouts, and reduce excess. Features of StockIQ include: Demand Forecasting ; Replenishment Planning ; Inventory Analytics ; Supplier Performance ; and Promotion Planning . Demand Forecasting ; Replenishment Planning ; Inventory Analytics ;
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$750/month
Client OS
Web
ToolsGroup Screenshot

ToolsGroup

ToolsGroup is a service driven supply chain planning software that helps businesses optimize inventory. This lets you predict more beaviors (such as SKU movement across locations), protect against uncertainty, and more efficiently plan your distribution and replenishment. ToolsGroup automatically calculates optimal inventory levels for both existing and new items to create a phased, time-series plan that achieves target service levels even in the face of demand variability and distribution
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
RapidResponse Screenshot
RapidResponse from Kinaxis is a supply chain planning software that lets you easily monitor and respond to demand and distribution requirements planning (DRP) issues. RapidResponse acts as one platform that provides a variety of supply chain solutions. RapidResponse will help your business reduce finished goods by 33%, reduced manufacturing lead times by 20%, and shorten planning cycles by 57%. Sales & Operations Planning: Define collaborative processes, weigh options and trade-offs, and align
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
GEP NEXXE Screenshot
GEP NEXXE is the next-generation, AI-powered platform for transforming supply management capabilities within complex global companies. GEP NEXXE is an end to end, cloud-native, supply planning, management, and execution platform empowering supply professionals to be proactive, flexible, agile, and efficient. GEP NEXXE uses real-time data and generates insights and intelligence to optimize decision-making and maximize profitability. GEP NEXXE is a cloud-native supply management platform developed
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
JDA Demand Classification Screenshot

JDA Demand Classification

★★★★★
★★★★★
(1)
Leading companies with large product portfolio’s, multiple sales channels and varying customers, need highly accurate and specific forecasts. Particularly with extended supply chains reaching back to Asia. JDA Demand Classification Application helps companies better prepare for future company demand thus maximizing sales and increasing customer service. By leveraging advanced statistical analysis techniques, the demand solution provides capabilities that analyze your product’s selling behavior

We searched and searched, but we couldn’t find any products in our database that match your criteria. Perhaps our team of software experts can help? They’d be happy to provide a list of free recommendations that meet your exact requirements.

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