Continuous Replenishment provides a superstructure for
improved supplier integration. Often, this term is
mistakenly used as a synonym for Supplier Managed
Inventory (SMI). SMI, however, is only a tool to
implement continuous replenishment. But the term SMI
is now generally used in literature and practice [14].
Another approach associated with ECR is Collaborative
Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR).
CPFR is an initiative of the consumer goods industry
and was first applied by the retailer corporation Walmart
in 1995. Its aim is to improve demand forecasts by
developing close cooperation between manufacturers
and retailers. It differs from process models such as the
SCOR model by having the operational steps for
implementing the joint cooperation processes defined by
a CPFR process model [5]. CPFR is based on
agreements between the partners to define the financial
and organizational framework and joint business models
through shared objectives [15]. From an operational
perspective, demand figures from different distribution
channels are electronically transferred, aggregated and
made available to all supply chain partners on an
electronic platform [14]. Instead of historical data,
current sales figures can now be used for creating sales
forecasts. Sales planning is no longer an activity done
separately by each supply chain partner but becomes a
cooperative effort. This means forecasts are shared and
deviations discussed in a defined process.
The presented models offer many opportunities for
collaborating in supply chains. The CPFR approach, in
particular, allows for harmonizing both the forecasting
and the resulting capacity planning procedure. Existing
concepts, however, were developed without industry
specification or are tailored to the specific needs of other
industries. So, it needs to be investigated if these
approaches can be applied to the planning process in the
automotive and semiconductor industry.