can i get a positive feedback about the post below made by my classmate.

Brian has taken an important step in introducing data analytics into his venture. Every company would benefit from data analytics because it allows for a more precise outcome in forecasting which can lead to more informed decisions. However, Brian should understand that data analytics should not be applicable to only one of the four sectors of the supply chain movement (buy, make, move, sell). In doing so, Brian has effectively failed to encompass the entire supply chain of his business with big data analytics, so the functioning of the company is no longer wholesome compared to if he was in fact able to encompass his entire supply chain with big data analytics. If Brian can use data analytics to track shipments, but he cannot use data analytics to determine how much of his product is going to sell or how much to buy, then what is the data for the purchasing of goods reliant on? According to the text, it was reliant on his good judgement. This is simply not enough.

Had Brian been able to collect data at the beginning of his venture which covered all aspects of his supply chain and not just shipment tracking, he would have been more informed in how to deal with the rising success of his venture. Data on the initial purchasing of material and data on the purchasing habits of the final product, among other things in the first stages of the business would have enabled Brian to better understand how much raw material he should purchase. If he would have been able to predict precisely how much raw material he should have purchased, he would not risk overstocking. If he had prior knowledge of the purchasing habits of the consumers year-round, he would have known how much raw material to purchase and he would have also known how much his tea should sell according to prior habits determined by data collection and analysis.

For the reasons discussed previously, Brian should select Jill Analytics and focus on the entire supply chain. Demand forecasting is important; however, it should not be the only reason for which data is collected. Jack Analytics can give Brian insight on how much to buy and how much to sell, but it will fail to account for the other aspects of his supply chain that, if managed properly through data collection and analytics, can help manage those other aspects. Demand forecasting will not take transportation into account. For example, the text makes mention of how UPS has been collecting data more than 20 years prior and uses that information today through a tool called ORION (On-Road Integrated Optimization and Navigation) which enables drivers to find the most efficient pathways. This undoubtedly becomes a cost-effective strategy.