How to start a RELEX implementation: 2 essential don’ts
- 20 hours ago
- 2 min read
Many retailers and manufacturers are investing in advanced planning platforms to improve forecasting, replenishment and supply chain visibility. One of IG&H’s select partners in this space is RELEX, a unified AI-native platform for end-to-end planning. In this article, we answer the question:
What is the recipe for success when implementing RELEX? By providing the two main things you should avoid: the don’ts. We’ve already covered the do’s in our previous article.
1) Don’t: Force changes without understanding them
Changes should come from understanding first, then optimization. Rushed or uninformed changes create confusion, resistance and operational risk. During an implementation, it can be tempting to quickly adjust processes to fit the system or to standardize ways of working across teams. However, existing processes often exist for a reason.
What may appear to be an inefficient workaround may actually compensate for supplier constraints, store limitations or planning exceptions that are not immediately visible.
This does not mean existing processes should remain untouched. Implementation is often the right moment to improve them. But by first understanding why processes exist, testing adjustments carefully and involving the people who use them daily, organizations can improve workflows without creating new problems.
2) Don’t: Skip early engagement
Early engagement ensures that all requirements are captured from the start, including hidden or specialized processes.
If key users and stakeholders are not involved early in the project:
• Adoption drops
• Critical processes may be overlooked
• Late rework becomes unavoidable
• Timelines are delayed
Therefore, involving the planners, replenishment teams and operational stakeholders early helps ensure the system reflects real operational needs and prevents costly corrections later in the project.
Depending on the size of the company, you may also consider involving roles such as enterprise architect, supply chain manager, IT manager and operational director to ensure changes to the processes are swiftly implemented and adopted by the company.
Avoid these don'ts to build the right foundation
Don't force changes without understanding them and don't skip early engagement. Strong data, empowered teams, thoughtful change and early involvement are the pillars of a successful RELEX implementation. When these foundations are in place, the system can do what it is designed to do: generate reliable forecasts, support better replenishment decisions and help teams focus on managing exceptions instead of firefighting.
Skipping these basics may not seem critical at the start of a project. But just like the Tower of Pisa, problems in the foundation do not disappear. Instead, they simply become more visible over time. Poor data, unclear processes or missing stakeholder involvement will eventually show up as delays, workarounds and slow adoption.
When the groundwork is solid, the implementation moves faster, adoption accelerates and organizations can fully capture the value of RELEX across forecasting, replenishment and store operations.
Author: Christiaan Kamphuis
Curious about how IG&H can help you get ahead - as both a sector expert and your implementation partner? Let's talk RELEX.
Jasper van Rijn
Managing Director Retail & Products
+31653376760
