Introduction to Supply Chain Analytics using Microsoft Excel
What you'll learn
- Fundamental tools of descriptive, predictive and descriptive analytics
- How to answer the questions, "What happened?", "What will happen?", and "What should we do?"
- Analytical tools for assessing demand forecasts, production outputs and product mix strategies
- Introductory time series analysis tools
- Baseline, Trend, Seasonality and Error
- Linear programming using Excel Solver
- Statistical tools in Excel like quartiles, the data analysis tool kit, Norminv, linear regression, mathematical programming, and more!
- How to use the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)
- "Launch points" for further study in analytics
Requirements
- Basic Microsoft Excel skills
- Basic understanding of manufacturing or logistics
- Basic business acumen
- Some supply chain or operations experience would be helpful.
Description
Learn the analytical tools that drive better decisions in supply chain and operations—without needing advanced math or specialized software. This practical, Excel-based course has helped over 7,300 students build real-world skills in analytics.
4.6 stars average rating
900+ five-star reviews
Designed for professionals in supply chain, inventory, or operations roles
Practice with Excel-based downloadable exercises
Why Take This Course?
Analytics and supply chain management are two of the most in-demand skills in today’s job market. This course helps you build capability in three key areas:
Descriptive Analytics – What happened?
Parametric and nonparametric statistics
Measures of central tendency and dispersion
Process capability using the normal distribution
Calculating process yield
Combining normal random variables
Practical applications in manufacturing and inventory
Predictive Analytics – What will happen?
Time series basics
Building linear regression models in Excel
Seasonality and trend analysis
Forecasting techniques using real data
Excel Data Analysis Add-in walkthroughs
Prescriptive Analytics – What should we do?
Introduction to optimization and mathematical programming
Excel’s Solver Add-in step-by-step
Objective functions, constraints, and real-world modeling
Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)
Policy-driven models and product mix problems
What You’ll Get:
5+ hours of instructor-led content
Step-by-step walkthroughs in Microsoft Excel
Downloadable exercises for each major topic
A 110+ term glossary to reinforce your learning and support continued study
Lifetime access to the course and all future updates
What Students Are Saying:
“Very great course if you are starting out in the Supply Chain field. Found it very informative and engaging.” – Isabel B.
“I’ve learned things about inventory I never heard of before. Outstanding course.” – Jerry O.
“Easy to understand, recommended for beginners. One of the better courses on Udemy.” – Clifford C.
“Great tools for the Supply Chain professional! Engaging and very knowledgeable of the overall subject.” – Stephanie M.
Build Skills That Advance Your Career
Whether you're new to analytics or want to sharpen your decision-making tools, this course will help you:
Understand the numbers behind your supply chain
Use Excel to perform real-world analyses
Communicate more confidently with data
Introduction to Supply Chain Analytics using Microsoft Excel will serve as the starting point to your career in supply chain analytics and management. No intimidating math. No complicated jargon. Just practical analytics for real professionals.
Who this course is for:
- Supply Chain Analysts, Supply Chain Managers, Inventory Analysts, Demand Planners
- Procurement Analysts, Materials Planners, Production Planners, Logistics Analysts
- Business Analysts, Manufacturing Analysts, Data Analysts, Forecasting Analysts
- Supply Chain Coordinators, Operations Analysts, Operations Research Analysts, Continuous Improvement Professionals
- Planning Managers, Logistics Managers, Inventory Control Managers, Procurement Managers
- Industrial Engineers, Quality Engineers, Quality Managers, Six Sigma Black Belts
Instructor
Ray Harkins is a senior manufacturing professional with over 30 years of experience in quality management, manufacturing engineering, and business analysis. During his career, he has toured hundreds of manufacturing facilities and worked with leading industry professionals throughout North America and Japan.
He earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Akron where he studied Engineering Technology, his Master of Science from Rochester Institute of Technology where he studied Manufacturing Leadership and Project Management, and his Master of Business Administration from Youngstown State University.
He is a senior member of the American Society of Quality, and holds their Quality Engineering (CQE), Quality Technician (CQT), Quality Auditing (CQA) and Calibration Technician (CCT) certifications.
Ray has written extensively for national trade publications on the topics of quality engineering and career management and has taught over 100,000 students through the Udemy platform on a range of manufacturing-related topics.