Skip to main content

Supply Plan Overview

Your demand forecast is set. Now Synplex generates a supply plan that shows you exactly what to order.

What is a Supply Plan?​

Supply Plan = Your 12-month roadmap showing:

  • ✅ Forecasted monthly demand
  • ✅ Current & incoming inventory
  • ✅ When stock will run out
  • ✅ Recommended order quantities
  • ✅ Recommended order dates

Think of it as: "Here's what I predict you'll sell. Here's when you need to order to support it."

Where to Find It in Synplex​

Dashboard → Supply Planning → Supply Plan tab

You'll see a table with:

  • Product name
  • Monthly demand (forecast)
  • On-hand inventory progression
  • Upcoming deliveries
  • Recommended orders (quantity & timing)
  • Stock status (Achievable / At-risk / Unachievable)

Supply Plan Columns Explained​

Column 1: Product​

Your SKU and product name (e.g., "Winter Jacket Black M")

Column 2: Demand​

Forecasted units you'll sell that month

Example:

Jan: 500 units (peak season)
Jul: 50 units (off-season)

Column 3: On-Hand Inventory​

Units you'll have at end of month (if you follow recommendations)

Logic:

Starting inventory
+ Incoming deliveries
- Forecasted demand
= Ending inventory

Column 4: Stock Status​

How you're positioned for the month:

✅ ACHIEVABLE
   └─ You have enough stock
   └─ Plan is realistic with current suppliers
   └─ Action: You can proceed normally

⚠️ AT-RISK
   └─ You'll dip into safety stock
   └─ Plan is achievable, but tight
   └─ You'll consume your buffer
   └─ Action: Consider ordering sooner/more

❌ UNACHIEVABLE
   └─ Stock runs out before month ends
   └─ Can't meet demand with current suppliers
   └─ Lead times are too long
   └─ Action: Emergency order needed

Quantity: How many units to order
Date: When to place the order
Supplier: Which supplier (if configured)

Example:

100 units
Order by: Jan 15
Supplier: German Manufacturer
Expected delivery: Feb 15

Real Example: Winter Jacket​

Current situation (Jan 1):

  • On-hand: 200 units
  • Lead time: 30 days
  • Forecast Jan: 500 units
  • Forecast Feb: 400 units
  • Forecast Mar: 250 units

Supply Plan shows:

JANUARY:
├─ Demand: 500 units
├─ On-hand (start): 200 units
├─ Stock status: ⚠️ AT-RISK (will hit safety stock)
├─ Recommended order: 600 units, order by Jan 5
└─ Expected delivery: Feb 5

FEBRUARY:
├─ Demand: 400 units
├─ On-hand (start): 400 units (after Jan delivery)
├─ Stock status: ✅ ACHIEVABLE
├─ Recommended order: 500 units, order by Feb 1
└─ Expected delivery: Mar 5

MARCH:
├─ Demand: 250 units
├─ On-hand (start): 500 units (after Feb delivery)
├─ Stock status: ✅ ACHIEVABLE
├─ Recommended order: 200 units, order by Mar 1
└─ Expected delivery: Apr 5

What this tells you:

  • January is tight (seasonal high)
  • Order 600 units ASAP (arrive Feb 5)
  • February is healthy
  • March is overstocked (seasonality dropping)
  • Reduce March order to 200 units

When to Use Supply Plan​

Use the supply plan when:

Scenario 1: Monthly Planning​

Every month:
├─ Review supply plan for next 3 months
├─ Check: Any "At-risk" or "Unachievable" products?
├─ Action: Create POs for recommended orders
└─ Timing: Do this 1-2 days before recommended date

Scenario 2: Budget Planning​

Quarterly:
├─ Review 3-month forecasted spend
├─ Calculate: Total cost of all recommended orders
├─ Validate: Does it fit your budget?
├─ Adjust: If over budget, reduce quantities (accept stockout risk)
└─ Action: Negotiate with suppliers for better terms

Scenario 3: Supplier Capacity​

Before negotiations:
├─ Show supply plan to suppliers
├─ Tell them: "Here's what I need in next 12 months"
├─ Benefit: Suppliers can plan production
├─ Outcome: Better pricing & faster delivery times
└─ Example: "I need 10,000 units/year, guaranteed orders"

Scenario 4: Growth Planning​

When expanding:
├─ Increase forecast assumptions
├─ Review supply plan: What will orders look like?
├─ Validate: Do suppliers have capacity?
├─ Plan: When to onboard new suppliers?
└─ Budget: How much extra working capital needed?

Actionable Tips​

Tip 1: Act on Recommendations​

If Synplex recommends:
├─ Order 600 units by Jan 5
│
Then:
├─ On Jan 4 or 5: Create PO in Synplex
├─ Send to supplier
└─ Confirm delivery date

Don't: Wait, deliberate, miss the window. If Synplex says "order by Jan 5," trust it.

Tip 2: Watch "At-Risk" Products​

If supply plan shows: ⚠️ AT-RISK
├─ You're consuming safety stock
├─ Reason: Demand is high OR supplier is slow
│
Action:
├─ Review recommended order
├─ Consider ordering earlier (if possible)
├─ Or increase quantity
└─ Goal: Rebuild safety stock faster

Tip 3: Address "Unachievable" Immediately​

If supply plan shows: ❌ UNACHIEVABLE
├─ You WILL stockout
├─ This is urgent
│
Action:
├─ Emergency order from secondary supplier
├─ Or increase lead time buffer
├─ Or negotiate expedited delivery
└─ Never ignore this!

Tip 4: Update When Things Change​

If something changes:
├─ Promotion planned (increase forecast)
├─ Competitor action (adjust demand)
├─ Supplier delay (update lead time)
├─ Then: Re-run supply plan
│
New plan will show:
├─ New recommended orders
├─ Updated stock projections
└─ Timing adjustments

Common Questions​

Q: Why does the recommended order quantity seem high?

A: Supply plan includes:

  • Forecasted demand for the month
  • Plus safety stock replenishment
  • Plus adjustment for lead time

Result: Order quantity > one month of demand (which is correct)

Q: Can I override the recommended quantity?

A: Yes! You can:

  • Order more (if you expect extra growth)
  • Order less (if you're low on budget)
  • Don't order (if you have excess stock)

After you override, supply plan updates to show impact of your decision.

Q: What if I disagree with the demand forecast?

A: See "Adjusting Forecasts" (next file) for how to:

  • Override Synplex forecast
  • Upload your own forecast
  • Adjust by season or promotion

Then supply plan recalculates based on your forecast.

Q: How far ahead should I plan?

A: Most useful: 3-6 months ahead

  • 3 months: Immediate actions (what to order now)
  • 6 months: Planning & budget
  • 12 months: Strategic supplier partnerships

Next Steps​

  1. Open supply plan tab in Synplex
  2. Review next 3 months: Any red flags?
  3. Check recommended orders: Do they make sense?
  4. Create POs: For products in "Achievable" or "At-risk"
  5. Address "Unachievable": Emergency order if needed
  6. Move to: "Adjusting Forecasts" if you want to override predictions

Questions? Contact support@synplex.io