If you started a retail operation would you focus your ERP on PLM functionality or rely on VMI business model?

Question

Yes PLM is more of a manufacturing model, but im using it here to mean retailer controlled inventory replenishment

Answer 1

You probably want 'economics' for this, not 'gender and women's studies.'  :)

That and the question's a bit vague.  I would need to know more (a lot more) about the specific nature of your 'retail operation' before you would know whether or not you would have the sheer size of infrastructure necessary to effect control over your products from start to finish, or whether you would want to leverage the establishment of vendors.

Are you trying to start a retail business?  If so, what in, and what kind of resources do you have going into it?

Answer 2

Huh?

Answer 3

Enterprise resource planning solutions are a pointless waste of money. It's designed for companies with no decent management structure in the first place and no integration between its warehouse, its call center, its partners, its accounting and its marketing department, in the same way CRM is just modern business-speak for "not treating your customers like shlt."

So...do you want a real answer? 'Cause I can give you one. It'll be long, though. And boring.

Answer 4

Too little information,

What type of retail ?

A convenience store ?

Auto Parts ?

Electronics ?

Factors come into play such as shelf life either due to perish-ability or as with electronics, becoming out dated.

Also you need to consider if the business is going to pay for the inventory or pay a flooring fee.

Answer 5

PLM = product life-cycle management

VMI = vendor managed inventory

ERP = ???

I think I'd go with VMI; it uses more symbiosis than PLM, and that works out better for everyone.

Answer 6

Flip a coin

Answer 7

I would start an MLM.