Smart IP&O
by Smart Software · Demand & Supply Planning
Demand forecasting and inventory optimization platform that integrates with ERP systems.
- Works with
- Epicor, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, SAP, Oracle ERP, Sage, Infor, JD Edwards
- Deployment
- Cloud
- Company size
- Mid-market, Enterprise
- Pricing
- Subscription (quote-based)
- Founded
- 1981
- Headquarters
- Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
Overview
Smart IP&O (Inventory Planning & Optimization) is a cloud-native digital supply chain platform from Smart Software for demand forecasting, demand planning, and inventory optimization. It is delivered as an integrated set of native web applications spanning statistical and probabilistic forecasting, consensus demand planning, stocking-policy optimization, and operational analytics, intended to replace spreadsheet-based planning with a single collaborative environment. The platform applies probabilistic modeling to project the full range of likely future demand and lead-time outcomes, with methods designed to handle intermittent and hard-to-forecast items such as spare parts and MRO inventory.
The suite is built around three core applications: Smart Demand Planner for statistical forecasting and multi-level consensus planning, Smart Inventory Optimization for prescribing reorder points, order quantities, safety stock, and min/max policies tuned to target service levels and cost, and Smart Operational Analytics for reporting and BI on inventory and forecast performance. Planners can run what-if scenarios that compare service levels, fill rates, holding costs, and ordering costs against benchmarks before committing to new stocking policies.
Smart IP&O is designed to sit alongside an existing ERP rather than replace it. It offers native connectors for Epicor, NetSuite, and Microsoft Dynamics (AX, NAV, 365 Business Central), and supports file-based import/export integration with effectively any ERP, including SAP, Oracle ERP, Sage, Infor, JD Edwards, and PeopleSoft. Forecasts and optimized stocking parameters generated in the platform can be written back to the source ERP. The company, founded in 1981 and headquartered in Belmont, Massachusetts, entered an agreement to be acquired by Epicor Software.
Screenshots & demo
Demo video from the vendor's YouTube channel. Screenshots sourced from Smart Software.
Features & capabilities
Statistical & Probabilistic Forecasting
Automated demand forecasting across the item catalog.
- Automatic selection of the most appropriate forecast model per item
- Detection of trend and seasonality
- Probabilistic modeling that projects a range of likely future demand
- Methods purpose-built for intermittent and sparse demand
- Historical data cleansing and outlier handling
- Exception flagging for items needing planner attention
Demand Planning & Consensus
Collaborative review and override of statistical forecasts.
- Multi-level forecasting by family, customer, region, and other hierarchies
- Consensus planning across stakeholders
- Manual overrides to add business judgment to forecasts
- Review and roll-up at any level of the hierarchy
- Forecast accuracy reporting and tracking
Inventory Optimization
Prescriptive stocking-policy optimization.
- Optimization of reorder point and order quantity
- Min/max and order-up-to level configuration
- Safety stock planning
- Prescribed optimal service levels rather than manually assigned targets
- Identification of overstocked and understocked items
- Stockout-risk assessment and service-level vs. cost tradeoff analysis
What-If Scenario Analysis
Compare alternative policies before committing.
- Scenario comparison of service level, fill rate, holding cost, and ordering cost
- Benchmarking proposed policies against current performance
- Lead-time impact analysis
- Budget-constrained optimization
- Automatic regeneration of planning parameters as demand and inputs change
Analytics, Reporting & Collaboration
Operational performance visibility across the organization.
- Inventory segmentation and classification analytics
- Service level, fill rate, and supplier performance metrics
- Pre-built data models for BI reporting
- Policy sharing and stakeholder feedback collection
- Performance tracking across teams and locations
Common use cases
- Reducing excess inventory while protecting target service levels
- Forecasting intermittent demand for spare parts and MRO inventory
- Replacing spreadsheet-based forecasting and reorder-point calculations
- Multi-location and multi-echelon stock planning
- Setting and maintaining ERP planning parameters (min/max, safety stock, ROP)
- Running consensus demand plans across sales, operations, and finance
- Service-level vs. holding-cost tradeoff analysis under budget constraints
Strengths & considerations
Strengths
- Probabilistic methods designed specifically for intermittent and hard-to-forecast demand
- Prescribes optimal service levels rather than requiring planners to assign them manually
- Native, certified connectors for Epicor, NetSuite, and Microsoft Dynamics
- Writes optimized forecasts and stocking parameters back into the source ERP
- Long operating history in demand planning, founded in 1981
Considerations
- Reviewers note reporting features have room for improvement
- No free version or free trial offered
- Integration with ERPs outside the native connector list relies on file-based import/export rather than a real-time API
- Focused on demand and inventory planning rather than broader supply-chain execution or S&OP suites
ERP integrations
Receives planning parameters and forecasts from Epicor and returns optimized forecasts and stocking policies.
Native integration listed among supported connectors.
Native connector; also covers Dynamics AX and NAV.
Pricing
No free version or free trial. Pricing is quote-based; contact vendor for a quotation. Get an independent shortlist with pricing guidance below.
Technical & security
- Hosting
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Compliance
- SOC 2 Type 2
About the vendor
- Founded
- 1981
- Headquarters
- Belmont, Massachusetts, USA
- Ownership
- Entered agreement to be acquired by Epicor Software
- Notable customers
- Disney, Arizona Public Service, Ameren, American Red Cross
Alternatives to Smart IP&O in Demand & Supply Planning
Smart IP&O — frequently asked questions
Does Smart IP&O replace my ERP?
No. It is a planning layer that sits alongside an existing ERP, pulling demand and inventory data in and writing optimized forecasts and stocking parameters back out. It supports native connectors for Epicor, NetSuite, and Microsoft Dynamics, and file-based integration with most other ERPs including SAP, Oracle, and Sage.
Is there a free trial?
No. Smart Software does not offer a free version or a free trial. Pricing is quote-based; a Capterra listing references a starting price of $1,000 per month.
What makes it suitable for spare parts and intermittent demand?
The platform uses probabilistic forecasting methods built to handle intermittent and sparse demand patterns, which conventional time-series methods often forecast poorly, making it a fit for MRO and aftermarket service inventory.
How is it deployed and is it secure?
Smart IP&O is a cloud-native SaaS application hosted on AWS. The company maintains annual SOC 2 Type 2 compliance covering Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, and Confidentiality.
Evaluating Demand & Supply Planning?
Tell us your ERP and requirements and we'll send an independent shortlist — including Smart IP&O and the best-fit alternatives — with honest pros and cons.