Loading
Utility Header Logo
Plex Community
Change Country Site SelectionChange RockwellAutomation.com site selection to a different country, region or language
US | EN
Plex, a Rockwell Automation Company logo
Products
Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
Manufacturing Execution Suite (MES) is a comprehensive manufacturing software solution that provides real-time, paperless production management to drive enterprise-wide compliance, quality, and efficiency.
Quality Management System (QMS)
Quality Management System (QMS) is a cloud-based digital quality solution for manufacturers that standardizes and automates quality documentation, processes, and measurements.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a full-featured, scalable, cloudbased ERP that automates front- and back-office processes.
Supply Chain Planning (SCP)
Supply Chain Planning (SCP) combines data from your Plex ERP and multiple departments across your business to sync up demand and supply planning to improve inventory accuracy and production management.
Connected Worker
Connected Worker empowers frontline manufacturing teams with real-time digital tools to improve productivity, reduce errors, and enhance collaboration. It connects your people, to purpose, people, productivity, and processes to drive continuous improvement and workforce agility on the shop floor.
Production Monitoring
Production Monitoring provides seamless connectivity to machines on the plant floor, delivering transparent, real-time operational KPIs and dashboards to drive continuous improvements.
MES Automation & Orchestration
MES Automation & Orchestration connects your Plex MES to the plant edge to control information flow, processes, and workcenter setup adding efficiency, saving costs, and eliminating manual errors.
Asset Performance Management (APM)
Asset Performance Management (APM) combines process, operational, and machine-level data through highly visual dashboards to proactively monitor machine and plant health to ensure optimal uptime, throughput, and maintenance needs.
Finite Scheduler
Finite Scheduler is an advanced production scheduling tool that helps manufacturers optimize resources, reduce bottlenecks, and improve on-time delivery. It enables dynamic, constraint-based scheduling to align operations with real-world capacity and demand
Platform
Smart Manufacturing Platform Overview
Discover how our integrated platform connects, automates, tracks, and analyzes your operations.
Cloud Infrastructure & Security
Enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure with industry-leading security and compliance.
Mobile Application
Access critical manufacturing data and controls from anywhere with our mobile apps.
Availability & Performance
Industry-leading uptime and performance with 99.5% availability guarantee.
Manufacturing Automation
Seamless integration with Rockwell Automation and other manufacturing systems.
Industries
Aerospace Auto and Tire Food & Beverage Industrial Manufacturing Plastics & Rubber Precision Metalforming
Plex Generic Dark Background
INTERACTIVE DEMO
Plex MES for Automotive

Gain Real-Time Visibility and Control of Your Operations

Try Now
Resources
All Resources Success Stories Analyst Reports Knowledge Articles Demos Blog
Plex Generic Dark Background
Analyst Report
2025 Gartner® Market Guide for Manufacturing Execution Systems
Read More
TALK TO US
SEE A DEMO
Log In Plex Manufacturing Cloud Plex Classic
TALK TO US
SEE A DEMO
Blog
Recent ActivityRecent Activity

Which Demand Planning Certifications Are Right for You?

Share This:

LinkedInLinkedIn
XX
FacebookFacebook
PrintPrint
EmailEmail

As a profession, supply chain management grew out of a collection of tasks required to source and secure materials for manufacturing and distribution. At first, purchasing, demand planning, scheduling, inventory management, and others were separate tasks, only loosely connected.

As you know, modern day supply chain management is a strong field that connects these functions into a single functional department. By linking them and managing the supply chain and demand planning holistically, companies have advanced to more accurate demand forecasts and better cost control for materials. But that only happens when a professional like you has the right skill set under your belt.

Training in Demand Planning

Just as the field began as a loosely connected series of tasks, training and best practices for these tasks also developed ad hoc. In the era of spreadsheets, manual data manipulation, verbal vendor agreements, and other time-consuming procedures, demand planning was more of an art form than a predictable function. It was driven by “gut-feel,” intuition, and guesswork.

To combat this, industry professionals formed the Supply Chain Council and the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). The purpose was to standardize terminology, protocols, and best practices to enable training and certification programs to improve supply chain quality. Suddenly, people within the industry could standardize and enhance their skills. These societies later merged and are now known as the Association of Supply Chain Management (ASCM).

Demand Planning Certifications

Today, there are many demand planning certifications available. And while the approaches may differ, they all follow established inventory norms and strive to improve the skills and resources available to demand planners and forecasters. Here are a few demand planning certifications that you’ll want to consider exploring:

CPIM

Offered by ASCM, the Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) certification teaches terminology, nomenclature, strategies, and concepts related to a broad range of supply chain areas. These include S&OP, master scheduling, supply relationships, and MRP. It also focuses on demand management and teaches forecasting methodology to plan, forecast, and manage demand for products. Those completing the certification will have skillsets to streamline supply chain operations and drive continuous improvement.

CSCP

Another ASCM certification is the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP). This certification trains users in end-to-end supply chain management for streamlining operations. It entails a heavy understanding of demand planning and forecasting as part of this end-to-end approach.

CSCMP Demand Planning

Offered by Broward College and the Council of Supply Chain Professionals (CSCMP) is the CSCMP certification. But they also provide modular certification such as CSCMP Demand Planning for those who need to zero in specifically on demand. The completion of the demand planning module can stand alone or as part of broader SCM training.

CPF

The Institute of Business Forecasting and Planning (IBF) offers the Certified Professional Forecaster (CPF) certification, available to those at any demand planning and supply chain management level. For entry levels, they offer the CFP-C for candidates with no previous knowledge or degree. The CFP can be obtained by degreed professionals and those working within the field for over two years. And the ACFP is for advanced and management practitioners. These certifications teach demand planning, including demand sensing and creating. They also teach demand forecast modeling and consensus forecasting along with many other supply chain forecasting techniques.

CADP

Offered by the private company Demand Planning LLC, the Certified Analyst in Demand Planning trains new and junior demand planners with the tools to develop skills in demand planning methodology, demand components, demand consensus, demand modeling, and statistical modeling.

DDP

Many companies utilizing technology and software for their supply chain have begun adopting demand-driven MRP systems. The Demand Driven Planner (DDP) Certification teaches practitioners how to utilize demand for all MRP activities. It provides theory and practices in how to use a company’s demand across the entire supply chain. Once the DDP is obtained, additional training is available to obtain the more advanced Demand Driven Planner Professional (DDPP) certification.

Leveraging Demand Certification with Data and Software

How far will your certifications take you? It’s great to have a grasp on best practices and standardized terminology and protocols, but your skill set can only go so far depending on the demand planning system in use at your company.

There’s a reason demand planning professionals love DemandCaster Demand and Supply Planning software. Certified planners can identify demand trends to create accurate, data-driven forecasts while leveraging “what-if” scenario capabilities that help plan for any contingency. As you continue to upgrade your skill set through the industry’s top certifications, rely on best-in-class software designed to work hand in hand with your training. Your company (and career) will thank you.

Want to learn more? Reach out to us here and let’s talk shop.

Topics: Supply Chain Management Planning

Plex Team
Plex Team
Plex, by Rockwell Automation, is the leader in cloud-delivered smart manufacturing solutions, empowering the world’s manufacturers to make awesome products. Our platform gives manufacturers the ability to connect, automate, track and analyze every aspect of their business to drive transformation. The Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform includes solutions for manufacturing execution (MES), ERP, quality, supply chain planning and management, Industrial IoT and analytics to connect people, systems, machines, and supply chains, enabling them to lead with precision, efficiency and agility.

Related Articles

Loading
Loading
  1. Chevron LeftChevron Left Homepage Chevron RightChevron Right
  2. Chevron LeftChevron Left Blog Chevron RightChevron Right
  3. Chevron LeftChevron Left Which Demand Planning Certifications Are Right for You? Chevron RightChevron Right
Products
Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Quality Management System (QMS) Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Supply Chain Planning (SCP) Connected Worker Production Monitoring MES Automation & Orchestration Asset Performance Management (APM) Finite Scheduler
Platform
Smart Manufacturing Platform Cloud Infrastructure & Security Mobile Application Availability & Performance Manufacturing Automation
Resources
All Resources Case Studies Analyst Reports Knowledge Articles Demos Blog
Industries
All Industries Aerospace Auto and Tire Food & Beverage/CPG Industrial Manufacturing Plastics & Rubber Precision Metalforming & Fabrication
Services & Support
Customer Success & Advocacy Support Services Educational Services Professional Services Plex Community
Get Started
Request a Demo Download Resources Read Success Stories Webinars Contact Support
Company
About Us Why Plex Recognition Newsroom Careers Contact Us
Knowledge Articles
Types of Quality Management Systems The MES Beginner Guide A Guide to Production Part Approval Process What is Industry 4.0? A Guide to Advanced Product Quality Planning Supply Chain Planning: A Guide to Strategic Planning and Operations MES and the Future of Robotics Automation Cloud Based MES Basics Food Manufacturing Software: Why MES Is Critical for Food and Beverage Manufacturers Guide to Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Cloud-Based MES Solutions A Guide to Monitoring Machine Performance What is Connected Manufacturing and Why Should You Care About It?
Privacy & Cookie Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Preferences
Accessibility Settings
Trust Center
© YYYY Plex, by Rockwell Automation. All rights reserved.
© YYYY Rockwell Automation, Inc.