Industry Research Demonstrates Tangible Benefits of S&OP

ATLANTA — January 30, 2014 —   Research from Aberdeen Group reinforces the significant impact a formal sales and operations planning (S&OP) process has on a company’s operations. According to the report, “S&OP: Non–Negotiable as a Process”, published by Bryan Ball, vice president and group director of the Supply Chain Management research practice at Aberdeen Group, these companies see a marked improvement in forecast accuracy, margins and the ability to quickly evaluate multiple scenarios.

Key Findings

• • Greater than 60% of Best–in–Class companies view a formal S&OP process as a strategic priority for their organization
  • Best–in–Class companies experience a 37% better cash–to–cash cycle time as well as a 16 percentage point improvement in service levels over Laggards
  • Best–in–Class companies hold an 18 point advantage in forecast accuracy
  • Robust supply planning and demand planning solutions form the core of top performing S&OP processes
  • Nearly half of all Best–in–Class companies rely on a best–of–breed supply chain software solution

Notable Quotes
“The S&OP process is non–negotiable to those that have ever used it to drive their business,” said Ball. “In this report, we review how a formal S&OP process can be a competitive differentiator and enable companies to out–perform their competition in forecast accuracy, customer service, cash–to–cash cycle, and many additional critical areas of the supply chain.”

“A formal Voyager Sales and Operations Planning process is critical to a company’s success; providing the ability to effectively manage risk and increase profitability,” said Mike Edenfield, president and CEO, Logility. “This research shows the right foundation of demand and supply planning is key to the success of an S&OP program. Logility Voyager Solutions helps many of the world’s leading companies across several industries elevate the value of S&OP as they evaluate multiple scenarios to synchronize supply and demand, tie daily operational activities to corporate goals and improve decision–making to increase profitability.”

Related Links
White Paper: Successful Sales and Operations Planning in 5 Steps

About Aberdeen Group
Aberdeen Group conducts research focused on helping business leaders across sixteen different B2B technology disciplines improve their performance. Our process is simple — we conduct thousands of surveys every year to identify top performing organizations and uncover what makes them different. We share these insights back with the market in the form of in–depth research reports and content assets to help our readers build business plans capable of driving better results with the right set of tools to help them get there. Aberdeen Group provides specific, research–driven insights by industry, company size, and geography, as well as by role, business process and technology. Learn more at www.aberdeen.com.

Logility Voyager Solutions
Recognized industry–wide for its rapid implementation, quick ROI, ease–of–use, and ability to solve complex problems, Logility Voyager Solutions is a comprehensive supply chain management solution which features performance monitoring and analytics capabilities to increase supply chain visibility and boost performance in key areas including demand, inventory and replenishment planning, sales and operations planning (S&OP), manufacturing planning and scheduling, supply and inventory optimization, Voyager Transportation Planning and Management, and warehouse management.

About Logility
With more than 1,250 customers worldwide, Logility is a leading provider of collaborative, best–of–breed supply chain solutions that help small, medium, large and Fortune 1000 companies realize substantial bottom–line results in record time. Logility Voyager Solutions is a complete supply chain management solution that features a performance monitoring architecture and provides supply chain visibility; demand, inventory and replenishment planning; Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP); supply and inventory optimization; manufacturing planning and scheduling; transportation planning and management; and warehouse management. Logility customers include Fender Musical Instruments, Parker Hannifin,  Verizon Wireless, and VF Corporation. Logility is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMSWA). For more information about Logility, call 800–762–5207 USA or visit https://logilityinc.wpengine.com.

Forward–Looking Statements

This press release contains forward–looking statements that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by statements made herein. These factors include, but are not limited to, continuing U.S. and global economic uncertainty, the timing and degree of business recovery, unpredictability and the irregular pattern of future revenues, dependence on particular market segments or customers, competitive pressures, delays, product liability and warranty claims and other risks associated with new product development, undetected software errors, market acceptance of Logility’s products, technological complexity, the challenges and risks associated with integration of acquired product lines, companies and services, as well as a number of other risk factors that could affect the Company’s future performance. For further information about risks the Company and American Software could experience as well as other information, please refer to American Software, Inc’s. current Form 10–K and other reports and documents subsequently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  For more information, contact:  Vincent C. Klinges, Chief Financial Officer, American Software, Inc., (404) 264–5477 or fax:  (404) 237–8868.

Logility is a registered trademark and Logility Voyager Solutions is a trademark of Logility, Inc. Other products mentioned in this document are registered, trademarked or service marked by their respective owners.