This value comes in many forms. Obviously being more accurate when it comes to deciding what to make when and
for whom can help immensely from a inventory cost reduction as well as a revenue optimization view point, not to
mention customer loyalty. But, there is also value in capturing a subject matter expert‟s knowledge of the
company‟s market dynamics. Doing so in terms of mathematical models helps to institutionalize corporate
knowledge. When done properly, the ensuing equations actually become intellectual property that can be leveraged
across the company. This is true even if the data sources are public, since it is how the data is used that creates IP,
and that is in fact proprietary.