Bobst streamlines planning and forecasting with EyeOn’s Anaplan solution

By Arnaud Simeray

About Bobst

Bobst is a family-owned, leading supplier of converting, printing and finishing equipment for the label, flexible packaging, folding carton and corrugated board industries. With a global customer base, Bobst specialises in both Assembly to Order (ATO) and Engineer to Order (ETO) machines, producing large-scale equipment that requires careful, size-constrained production processes. To manage the planning of these large machines, Bobst uses a method called Slot Planning, a key component of its operational success. 

 

The challenge

As Bobst’s business expanded, it became clear that its legacy planning system could no longer support its growing operational needs. Faced with the pending retirement of its existing system, the company needed to implement and go live with a new solution in just four months.  

In addition, Bobst’s planning team struggled with scenario planning in Excel, finding it impossible to manage the large volumes of data required for effective decision making. The lack of flexibility and scalability in their current tools created significant inefficiencies, limiting their ability to anticipate demand, plan resources and forecast effectively. 

 

The project

To address these challenges, Bobst selected Anaplan as their platform of choice for slot planning, Rough-Cut Capacity Planning (RCCP), revenue projections, and scenario management. The new system would support both long-term Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and short-term slot planning, enabling a more integrated and flexible approach to production planning. 

The EyeOn team collaborated closely with Bobst to ensure the successful implementation of the Anaplan solution. A critical objective was to integrate the new models with Bobst’s existing IT infrastructure, including their SAP and Salesforce systems. This integration would enable seamless data flow between sales forecasts, operational plans, and revenue projections, enhancing decision-making across the organization. 

The new planning solution was tailored to handle Bobst’s customer-specific requirements, making it adaptable to both project-driven and product-based demands. EyeOn’s approach ensured that Bobst could maintain its operational agility while gaining the structured planning capabilities needed to grow and meet future challenges.  

 

Results

The implementation of Anaplan has significantly improved Bobst’s planning and forecasting processes: 

  • Streamlined and Centralized S&OP and Slot Planning: Bobst achieved a single, consistent platform for planning, enabling greater alignment between long-term plans and day-to-day operations. 
  • Increased Focus on Key Opportunities: Planners were able to concentrate on high-priority orders and opportunities, thanks to improved visibility and data accuracy. 
  • Enhanced Organizational Visibility: Both internal teams and sales regions gained greater insight into the production plan, facilitating better communication and collaboration. 
  • Advanced Scenario Management: With Anaplan’s scenario planning capabilities, Bobst was now equipped to handle various future situations, allowing the company to be more proactive and adaptable. 

 

Impact on Bobst’s Transformation Goals

The successful implementation of Anaplan significantly improved Bobst’s ability to manage complex planning processes, from demand forecasting to slot allocation. By integrating Anaplan with its existing CRM and ERP systems, Bobst gained real-time data connectivity that streamlined its master production schedule and capacity planning. This led to better resource usage and improved responsiveness to demand volatility, particularly in their project-driven business model. Improved cross-functional collaboration created a more cohesive and efficient planning process, ultimately positioning Bobst for continued growth and success. 

More information on how EyeOn can support you in selecting, functional design, implementation and roll-out of fit-for-purpose planning systems?  Discover more about our planning solutions or get in contact with our planning systems specialist Bram Kurstjens.

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