Sales & Operations Planning

Runs the monthly S&OP loop in IFS Cloud by planning forecast and order backlog at the product-family (Master Schedule Level 0) level. Level 0 parts group similar Level 1 end items and are blow-through parts (MRP planning method O) that cannot be stocked or ordered; the family forecast is transferred down to Level 1 and becomes the driver for downstream MRP and capacity checks.

Generates the baseline statistical demand forecast in IFS Demand Planning (the Demand Plan Server / Demand Planner client) from historical issue data, then adjusts, approves and publishes it as the demand input to S&OP. Supports multiple forecast models (best-fit, Bayesian, rule-based, TSPT level/trend/season, and ML/weather-based models).

Builds the supply side of S&OP by first running MS Level 1 for the individual stockable/shippable parts, then aggregating Level 1 forecasts, actual demand, unconsumed forecast and supply into the Level 0 family plan. Aggregation combines the buildable-item detail into a single family view for consensus, and closes by running an MS Level 0 calculation to produce the manufacturing plan and gross demand.

Validates the feasibility of the S&OP / master schedule by running Resource Requirements Planning (RRP) - IFS Cloud's rough-cut capacity engine - against key constraining resources over a mid-to-long horizon. RRP balances planned capacity (based on demonstrated output) with required capacity from demand plans, master production schedules or sales & operations plans, covering machines, personnel, storage, transport and supplier capacity.

Transfers the approved S&OP demand into execution by importing Demand Planner and customer-schedule forecasts into Master Scheduling Level 1 (and MRP spare parts). The Import Demand Planning Forecasts / Import Customer Schedules assistants distribute forecast quantities across periods, respect the demand and planning time fences, and can import by customer dimension - completing the S&OP-to-MPS handoff.