Lokad TV - Videos on Quantitative Supply Chain

Supply Chain Lectures(More episodes)

On Knowledge, Time and Work for Supply Chains - Lecture 1.7

Jul 5, 2023

On Knowledge, Time and Work for Supply Chains - Lecture 1.7

Supply chains abide by the general economic principles. Yet, these principles are too little known and too frequently misrepresented. Popular supply chain practices and their theories often contradict what is generally agreed upon in economics.

Pricing Optimization for the Automotive Aftermarket - Lecture 6.2

May 10, 2023

Pricing Optimization for the Automotive Aftermarket - Lecture 6.2

The balance of supply and demand very much depends on prices. Thus, pricing optimization belongs to the realm of supply chain, at least to a sizeable extent. We will present a series of techniques to optimize the prices of a fictitious automotive aftermarket company. Through this example, we will see the danger associated with abstract lines of reasoning that fail to see the proper context. Knowing what ought to be optimized is more important than the fine print of the optimization itself.

The Supply Chain Scientist - Lecture 7.3

Mar 8, 2023

The Supply Chain Scientist - Lecture 7.3

At the core of a Quantitative Supply Chain initiative, there is the Supply Chain Scientist (SCS) who executes the data preparation, the economic modeling and the KPI reporting. The smart automation of the supply chain decisions is the end-product of the work done by the SCS. The SCS takes ownership of the generated decisions. The SCS delivers human intelligence magnified through machine processing power.

Guest speakers(More episodes)

The End of Certainty (White-boxing Probabilistic Forecasting with Pierre Pinson) - Ep 143

May 17, 2023

The End of Certainty (White-boxing Probabilistic Forecasting with Pierre Pinson) - Ep 143

In an interview with Conor Doherty, Joannes Vermorel, founder of Lokad, and Pierre Pinson, Chair of Data-centric Design Engineering at Imperial College London, discuss probabilistic forecasting and its applications in various fields. They emphasize the importance of understanding uncertainty in forecasting and the need for ongoing education in the area. All three agree that innovation happens faster than people can embrace it, and they encourage staying updated on new developments in the field and being prepared for the advancements yet to come.

Quantum Computing and Enterprise Software (with Olivier Ezratty) - Ep 142

Apr 19, 2023

Quantum Computing and Enterprise Software (with Olivier Ezratty) - Ep 142

Quantum technology expert Olivier Ezratty discusses with Joannes Vermorel the potential of quantum computing, communication, and sensing. Quantum computing aims to harness quantum phenomena like superposition and entanglement to perform tasks beyond classical computers' capabilities. Quantum communication has applications beyond security, such as the quantum internet and distributed quantum computing. Quantum sensing can measure physical properties with unprecedented precision. Despite progress in the field, there is still a significant gap between theoretical knowledge and practical implementation. The timeline for widespread adoption remains uncertain, with experts estimating 10-15 years before quantum technology reaches its full potential.

Optimizing Retail Stock Allocation at Worten (with Bruno Saraiva) - Ep 141

Apr 5, 2023

Optimizing Retail Stock Allocation at Worten (with Bruno Saraiva) - Ep 141

Bruno Saraiva, Head of Stock and Space Management at Worten, joins Joannes and Conor in studio to discuss the challenges of retail stock allocation and Worten's collaboration with Lokad. Bruno also shares his experience in the retail industry and the crucial role of supply chain management in customer satisfaction. Saraiva shares his experience working with Lokad, noting that the company's approach has helped Worten make better inventory management decisions while still allowing employees the freedom to challenge and question recommendations. He believes that trust and collaboration between teams are crucial for a successful supply chain management strategy.

Supply Chain In 3 Minutes(More episodes)

Aug 30, 2023

Backorders - Supply Chain in 3 minutes

Backorders are purchase orders made to the supplier for products that are already out of stock from a given location being served. Backordering is the process of selling inventory that the company doesn’t currently have on hand, and can therefore only take place when the demand is captured in a formal manner.

Inventory Control - Supply Chain in 3 minutes

Aug 23, 2023

Inventory Control - Supply Chain in 3 minutes

Inventory control encompasses all the processes that support the supply, the storage, and the accessibility of items in order to ensure their availability while minimizing inventory costs. It can be split into two major areas. The management of inventory and the optimization of inventory. When managing the inventory, the goal is to sustain a high productivity for all inventory operations.

Demand Driven Material Requirements Planning (DDMRP) - Supply Chain in 3 minutes

Jul 19, 2023

Demand Driven Material Requirements Planning (DDMRP) - Supply Chain in 3 minutes

Demand Driven Material Requirements Planning (DDMRP) is a quantitative method intended to optimize the supply chain performance of multi-echelon manufacturing businesses. This method delivers the quantities to be either bought or manufactured for any SKU of a BOM. A BOM (Bill of Materials) represents the assemblies, components and parts needed to manufacture an end-product. DDMRP seeks to determine, at any point of time, how much more raw materials should be sourced and whether more units of any SKU should be produced.

Supply Chain science and tech(More episodes)

Aug 2, 2023

Spilling to Disk in .NET

In order to process more data than can fit in memory, programs can spill some of that data to a slower but larger storage, such as NVMe drives. Through a combination of two rather obscure .NET features (memory-mapped files and memory managers), this can be done from C# with little to no performance overhead. This talk given at Warsaw IT Days 2023 dives into the deep details how this works, and discusses how the open source NuGet package Lokad.ScratchSpace hides most of those details from developers.

Virtue Signaling in Supply Chain - Ep 145

Jun 21, 2023

Virtue Signaling in Supply Chain - Ep 145

In a comprehensive discussion spanning philosophy, law, ethics, and economics, Conor Doherty and Joannes Vermorel, Lokad founder, dissect the role of virtue within corporations and supply chains. Vermorel articulates the necessity for corporate values that benefit not only the company but also its employees and society at large, for long-term profitability. He highlights the importance of legal frameworks to balance profit-seeking and societal good. Vermorel explores challenges in long-term growth strategies, talent retention, and the intersection of internal and external values, especially for multinational corporations. He critiques virtue signaling as often disingenuous and unnecessary. Ultimately, Doherty is somewhat skeptical about the space for virtue in business, yet Vermorel is more sanguine and posits that corporations can't merely pretend to uphold virtues but must genuinely live up to them.

Jun 14, 2023

Analyzing ABC XYZ - Ep 144

Conor Doherty and Joannes Vermorel investigate popular stock analysis tool ABC XYZ Analysis, arguing its oversimplification leads to information loss. Vermorel challenges conventional practices of managing service levels and safety stock separately. Vermorel advocates for technology-aided supply chain management, given the complexity of handling large quantities of products. He criticizes the ABC XYZ analysis for lacking dynamism and not considering customers' perspectives. Vermorel favors a probabilistic approach to supply chain management, which can offer a more nuanced understanding of risks and aid in inventory decision-making.

Industry deep dive(More episodes)

MRO Complexity Explained (Paris Air Show 2023)

Sep 6, 2023

MRO Complexity Explained (Paris Air Show 2023)

Effective MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) requires meticulous management of up to several million parts per plane, where any unavailability can result in costly aircraft-on-ground (AOG) events. Traditional solutions to manage this complexity involve implementing safety stock formulas or maintaining excessive inventory, both of which have limitations and can be financially untenable. Lokad, through a probabilistic forecasting approach, focuses on forecasting the failure or repair needs of every individual part across the fleet and assessing the immediate and downstream financial impact of potential AOG events.

The Supply Chain of the Future at Air France Industries with Guillaume Adrien

Jun 28, 2023

The Supply Chain of the Future at Air France Industries with Guillaume Adrien

Guillaume Adrien, VP of Supply Chain Design and Performance at Air France Industries, and Joannes Vermorel, Lokad's founder, discuss the complexities of aviation supply chain optimization. Adrien explains that the nature of the industry demands swift response to unpredictable circumstances, with safety being a top priority. The collaboration with Lokad and the use of predictive optimization technology has resulted in noticeable improvements in non-stock management and other supply chain areas. Emphasizing the ongoing transformation of Air France's supply chain, Adrien highlights the need for adaptability, curiosity, data-driven mindsets, and innovation in aspiring engineers. The goal is to create a digital twin of the supply chain for potential optimizations.

Aircraft Engine Maintenance Repair and Overhaul at Air France Industries with Fanny Kientz

May 3, 2023

Aircraft Engine Maintenance Repair and Overhaul at Air France Industries with Fanny Kientz

Joannès meets Fanny Kientz -the Vice-President of Engine Supply Chain and Assets at Air France Industries (AFI)- to discuss about the path of the maintenance/repair process and all the associated constraints. The challenges for aircraft supply chain are also talked through, with a focus on the balance between costs and operational efficiency or post-pandemic adaptation. Fanny highlights the important contribution of Lokad to release the potential from the data, allowing AFI to optimize the entire activity.

French tech(More episodes)

Innovating Inventory management at Celio with Julie Schaf

Sep 13, 2023

Innovating Inventory management at Celio with Julie Schaf

In this interview recorded in spring 2023 at a Celio store in Rosny-sous-Bois, Joannes Vermorel (founder of Lokad) and Julie Schaf (Supply Chain Director at Celio), discuss their ongoing supply chain optimization partnership. Schaf praises Lokad's approach, which differs from traditional tools by focusing on product value, optimizing shortage management, and offering high responsiveness to evolving needs. She points out that Lokad anticipates shortages and prioritizes the dispatch of high-performing products to the most profitable stores for each given item. Their close collaboration facilitates rapid adaptation to required changes, generating beneficial economic and operational impacts for Celio.

Stock Optimization at Air France Industries with Stephan Lise

Jul 26, 2023

Stock Optimization at Air France Industries with Stephan Lise

Recorded in the autumn of 2022 at Air France's aircraft engine repair facilities, the interview features Stéphan Lise and Joannes Vermorel discussing "Prognos for Inventory", a collaborative tool between Lokad and Air France for optimized stock management in the aerospace industry. They emphasize the complexity of the sector, especially the prediction of needs for expensive parts. The tool proved crucial during the COVID-19 crisis, quickly adapting operations. Mr. Lise highlights the agility of Prognos for Inventory compared to other enterprise solutions, emphasizing its ability to adapt to user processes while allowing effective inter-process communication.

Managing a fashion supply chain at Celio With David Teboul

Jul 12, 2023

Managing a fashion supply chain at Celio With David Teboul

In this interview recorded onsite at a Celio store in Rosny-sous-Bois, Joannes Vermorel and David Teboul (Managing Director of Operations at Celio) discuss the resurgence of Celio following the challenges of 2020-2021. David highlights the importance of a "normal" customer-focused approach in transforming the brand. Lokad supported this transformation by assisting in optimizing the supply chain to better cater to a diverse range of stores and offers. Despite increasing complexity and the rise of online commerce, David emphasizes the need for agility and the critical role of physical stores for Celio, while striving to understand and meet customer needs through various touchpoints.