Case Study: SKF achieves global automated demand and inventory planning with ToolsGroup's SO99+

Transforms Planning from Regional To Global

SKF, the world’s largest bearings producer, faced a difficult digital transformation: shifting from regional to global integrated planning for a $9 billion industrial manufacturer. To centralize and automate demand and inventory processes, SKF engaged Optilon to implement ToolsGroup’s SO99+ (Demand Planning, Inventory Optimization and Demand Collaboration Hub) to create a single global planning model and streamline dependent flows.

Using a four‑phase rollout (Feasibility, PoC, Pilot, Deployment) and substantial master‑data work (800,000+ SKUs), ToolsGroup’s solution enabled new global planner roles, a digital twin of the distribution network, and high automation across the demand chain. The outcome: eight warehouses and two factories on “autopilot,” faster handling of exceptions and inquiries, elimination of process latency, and clear end‑to‑end accountability and improved responsiveness.

SKF

Jörg Schlager

Business Transformation Manager