Workshop Objective:

Excel gets the job done -- until it doesn't. Logic buried in formulas, tools that break under collaboration, tribal knowledge that renders the systems obsolete. AI changes that dynamic. This session shows supply chain practitioners how to replace fragile spreadsheets with lightweight, adaptable software anyone on the team can modify just by asking.

Using Claude Code, we will build a demand-supply matching tool live on stage -- contrasting open sales orders against incoming inventory to surface shortages and support MRP execution. We will start with some templates and anything you build is yours to keep. No coding required.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

Recognize the Excel Ceiling: Understand why spreadsheet-based planning breaks down under collaboration, complexity, and staff turnover.

Identify Micro SaaS Opportunities: Spot processes in their own operations that are ready to move from spreadsheets to lightweight software.

Use Claude Code to Build Tools: Turn a plain-language description of a supply chain problem into a working application without writing code.

Build a Demand-Supply Matching Tool: Walk away with a functional tool that contrasts open sales orders against incoming inventory to surface shortages.
Run What-If Scenarios: Modify the tool live to explore scenario planning and support MRP execution decisions.

Take It Home and Customize: Use the open source template released before the session as a starting point to build any tool they need.

Workshop Outline:

I. Welcome & The Excel Ceiling

Introductions: Your role and your supply chain pain points
Why spreadsheets hit a wall -- collaboration, complexity, tribal knowledge
The real cost when the person who built the spreadsheet leaves

II. What Is Micro SaaS and Why Now?

What Micro SaaS means for operations teams
Why AI makes this possible today when it wasn't two years ago
Identifying your first use case

III. From AI Analysis to Working Software

How Level 1 AI analysis becomes a living tool
Introduction to Claude Code
Live demo of the starting template

IV. Live Build -- Demand-Supply Matching Tool

Building the tool on stage from templates
Contrasting open sales orders against incoming inventory
Surfacing shortages and supporting MRP execution

V. Live Edit -- What-If Scenario Planning

Modifying the tool in real time with plain language
Running what-if scenarios for demand changes
MRP execution handoff

VI. Take It Home

Open source release -- everything you built is yours to keep
How to adapt the template to your own use cases
Q&A and next steps

Before the Workshop:

An open source starting point will be released before the session for participants to download. Please bring a laptop with a stable internet connection.

Who Should Attend:

Intermediate AI users who want to follow along hands-on
Managers and decision makers who want to see what's possible and bring the information back to their teams
Supply chain professionals tired of maintaining fragile spreadsheets
Anyone who completed Level 1 and wants to take the next step
No coding background required

Facilitator: Niels de Vries, Founder & CEO