Game On! Sony Plans for Profitability in its PlayStation Business with S&OP Technology - ERP Spain.com - España y América Latina

In November 2013, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) successfully launched the much anticipated fourth edition of its videogame console, the PlayStation.  Sony used Steelwedge cloud-based sales and operations planning (S&OP) software to connect all the crucial people, processes and data to help it navigate its biggest launch ever -- delivering approximately 5 million units in subsequent months.

Prior to automating its S&OP process, SCEA dealt with challenges that many manufacturers face, including:

Difficulty forecasting demand due to SKU differentiation through bundling

Unique interdependencies with regional counterparts and corporate headquarters, as well as with external component suppliers

Volatility of the global marketplace

A highly technical and non-user-friendly process built on an Access database

During this webinar, Bob Wood, SCEA’s Director of Sales Planning and Operations, will discuss those challenges and how SCEA increased visibility through a consensus planning process that enables:

Profitability. Improving forecast accuracy from 60% to high ~90% immediately drove better profitability -- ensuring the right products were in the right place at right time.

Improved Market Share. SCEA makes better supply/demand tradeoff decisions, due to more reliable data.

Scalability. The cloud-based solution from Steelwedge allows Sony to power its process in scope with its evolving market.

Risk Mitigation. The proven, secure Steelwedge platform limits Sony’s IT exposure to risks around data, business continuity and security.

Presenters

Bob Wood

Director, Sales Planning & Operations

Sony

Bob Wood oversees Sales Planning Operations for Sony Computer Entertainment America, A.K.A PlayStation. His team is responsible for sales demand planning, category planning, sales application tools for S&OP, and sales finance operations for MDF funds. He thrives on working with partners to bring innovative ideas to market, helping bridge the sales operations side of SCEA together with digital and physical retail. Prior to joining team PlayStation, Wood held various leadership roles in both buying and planning at May Company (now Macy’s) and Mervyn’s Target, where he mastered planning fundamentals.  He holds a degree in economics and political science from the University of Pittsburgh.

Ed Lewis

Vice President, Product Planning

Steelwedge

With over twenty years of experience leading design, development and marketing of S&OP and supply chain solutions, Ed Lewis is responsible for market assessment, requirements definition and go to market strategy.  Prior to Steelwedge, he was CEO and President of Amitive, Inc. which he founded in 2004.  Lewis holds a Juris Doctorate from Western State University, College of Law.