Questions and Topics We Can Help You To Answer: 

All companies do some form of sales and operations planning. It would be a good idea to visit a company near you and speak to a manager or the individual who is responsible for SOP (Standard Operating Procedure(s)). For example, you could contact one of the managers of facilities we have visited in other classes, such as Grainger or Patterson Logistics. 

Now suppose you are the manager of a store, and have total responsibility for SOP. You have been tasked to lead a project with the responsibility of searching for ways to gain a competitive advantage and improve sales and operations planning. Write a project report including plan and process. 

Use the following questions as a guide towards creating a competitive advantage for your company:
•    What tools or techniques do you use to balance demand and supply?
•    Does the company integrate its planning efforts with other functional area such as marketing?
•    What are the biggest challenges to developing a feasible plan? Does the company use an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system?
•    What difficulties did or will the company have to overcome to implement and use an ERP system?

You will need to use a minimum of three reliable external resources and the required textbook. You need to follow APA style including provide references and citation in your 4-5 page paper.