Finely Tuned Cross-Channel Forecasting

July 2012 Integrated Solutions For Retailers

By Matt Pillar, Editor In Chief

An inventory optimization and replenishment solution helped Lakeshore Learning Materials reduce inventory, stock outs, and labor costs.

Since 1954, Lakeshore Learning Materials has been one of the premier developers and manufacturers of high-quality educational products for early childhood programs, elementary schools, and homes. The 2,000-employee company supports a thriving retail Web business, catalog sales, and 56 store locations nationwide.

When Jayne Clem began working for the company 20 years ago, the IT infrastructure consisted of a handful of computers running “green screen” inventory management software. Clem, who is director of special projects, says the privately-held, family-owned company has come a long way. In 2008, it began the search for a forecasting system that could help it optimize inventory allocation to serve each of its growing channels.