In retail, timing isn’t just important—it’s everything. Consumer behaviour shifts quickly, peak sales periods are immovable, and operational delays can mean missed revenue. That’s why demand planning systems can’t take a year to implement. Retailers need to see results fast. The concept of “speed to value” captures this urgency. It’s not just about how quickly a platform goes live, but how quickly it begins driving tangible business results.
At Algo, we believe 16 weeks is not just a benchmark—it’s a necessity. As Sanjeev Balasubramaniam, SVP of Solution Architecture at Algo, explains:
“In today’s environment, speed to value isn’t a ‘nice to have.’ It’s survival. Demand can shift in weeks—you can’t wait a year to respond.”
The Retail Calendar Reality: Limited Windows for Change
While speed is essential, so is timing. Most enterprise retailers only have a small window in the year to implement new systems without disrupting critical operations. Electronics and general retail brands, for instance, are locked into cycles that revolve around EOFY, Black Friday, Christmas, and January clearances. Planning for these peaks starts months ahead—meaning any disruption to planification de la demande workflows outside Q1 or early Q3 can be risky.
This is where Algo’s 16-week implementation becomes critical. It fits into the narrow operational windows available and delivers value ahead of major sales events.
“For retailers, it’s not just how fast you implement—it’s when. You only get a small window to make big changes without risking your peak periods,” adds Balasubramaniam.
Go Live in 16 Weeks: What That Really Means
Algo’s 16-week path to value isn’t just fast—it’s structured for success. Retailers benefit from:
- Modular onboarding that breaks down complexity
- Prebuilt data connectors that reduce setup time
- Cross-functional planning support to align teams
- Real-time collaboration with Algo’s expert team from day one
- AI-powered forecast modelling to begin driving impact from day one
- Scenario planning and cross-functional dashboards that accelerate alignment and decision-making
“Faster implementations aren’t about cutting corners—they’re about cutting friction,” says Balasubramaniam. “We design every phase to deliver clarity and momentum, not delay.”
The Risk of Standing Still: Why Spreadsheets Can’t Keep Up
While some retailers stick with spreadsheets or rigid legacy systems, these tools simply can’t match the pace of modern demand. They lack real-time visibility, create silos between teams, and slow down critical planning cycles.
In contrast, platforms like Algo are designed to scale with demand complexity. They remove the need for manually managed files, reduce planning bottlenecks, and free teams to focus on strategy rather than reconciliation.
What Retailers Gain by Reducing Time-to-Impact
When implementation is fast and well-timed, the benefits follow quickly. A shorter time-to-impact means:
- Faster forecasting improvements
- Reduced inventory holding costs
- Greater agility in pricing and promotional planning
- Stronger adoption by planning teams who see early wins
“Every week you wait is a week of margin risk. Time-to-impact is the most underrated performance metric in retail planning,” says Balasubramaniam.
Real-World Impact: JB Hi-Fi Case Study
When JB Hi-Fi implemented Algo, the team quickly saw improvements in demand visibility, giving them the agility to respond faster to in-store and online trends. Instead of waiting months to see ROI, they had actionable insights and measurable gains from the get-go.
“Nous avons traversé la période de Noël avec une efficacité opérationnelle sans précédent dans la gestion de nos flux de stocks pendant cette période d'activité à fort volume. L'introduction d'Algo sur l'ensemble de notre gamme de produits a largement contribué à ce que JB Hi-Fi atteigne ses objectifs très ambitieux en matière de stocks, de rotation des stocks et de couverture des semaines. Le résultat financier est une contribution d'Algo à l'atteinte de nos objectifs de ventes et de fonds de roulement.”
Cameron Trainor
Directeur général, JB Hi-Fi
Final Thoughts: It’s Not Just Go-Live, It’s When You See Results
For modern retailers, the goal isn’t just launching a new platform—it’s unlocking measurable outcomes. That means aligning implementation speed with seasonal timing, operational capacity, and business goals.
Algo’s 16-week approach delivers speed to value when it matters most—so your team can focus on making smarter, faster planning decisions with confidence.
Ready to reduce your time-to-impact? Discover how Algo can help you go live—and get results—in just 16 weeks.
A propos de l'auteur
Karen McNaughton
Karen est vice-présidente du marketing mondial chez Algo, où elle dirige les stratégies visant à améliorer la notoriété de la marque et à générer de la demande pour la plateforme d'intelligence de la chaîne d'approvisionnement de l'entreprise. Avec plus de vingt ans d'expérience dans des fonctions marketing de haut niveau au sein de diverses organisations technologiques SaaS, Karen apporte une grande expertise dans la direction d'équipes marketing mondiales et dans l'exécution de stratégies de mise sur le marché.
