Today’s supply chains are more complex than ever before. This complexity arises from several factors, some that have existed throughout time and some that are unique to this era. From extreme weather to a global health crisis – today’s market is perpetually subject to volatility. This is only compounded by shifting consumer expectations and demands, with one-day delivery and personalized offers becoming the norm for many suppliers.

Technological advances make it easier for suppliers to satisfy this shifting demand but can also be challenging for those who struggle to keep up with the times. The key to success in this digital era? An understanding of the systems, methodologies, and concepts that are connected to on-demand order fulfillment, near-instant delivery, and increased demand.

A CPIM education provides a framework and tools for synchronizing, optimizing, and continuously improving an organization’s end-to-end supply chain. It is a key prerequisite to embarking on an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system implementation.

With a CPIM education, supply chain professionals master Lean, Six Sigma, Theory of Constraints, and project management concepts. They also study many components of the Manufacturing Planning and Control hierarchy of demand and supply planning and execution, all combined to provide enhanced visibility and control. CPIM stresses the value of a consistent use of terms, as defined by APICS, the global standard for the entire Supply Chain Body of Knowledge. The certification is a key to individual and enterprise success through excellence in supply chain management.