For Labatt it's important to create detailed logistics and production plans, and then bring them together with actuals, says Starkey. The consumer packaged goods industry changes frequently, which means that plans created one month won't necessarily be applicable the next. New activity creates new structure, so a tool that allows users to pull information from the past for variance reporting is essential. It's one way Labatt is able to adjust its targets and dimensions, says Starkey.
Since 1995 Labatt has been in partnership with InBev, which last year became the world's largest brewing company by volume. Labatt offers 60 separate brands and employs 3,800 workers across Canada.