Slimstock vs Lokad

Two European planning vendors, but they sell very different things. Slimstock, from Deventer in the Netherlands, offers the Slim4 platform through its own offices in 28 countries and quotes a price only after a demo. Lokad, from Paris, charges a fixed monthly fee per type of decision, with its scientists writing the logic in the Envision language. One is a broad module platform with local consultants, the other a service built around probabilistic purchasing decisions. Neither publishes an exact price, though Lokad gives a starting range. A buyer should expect a conversation with either vendor.

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Both are reviewed in full in our supply chain planning software ranking: Slimstock and Lokad.

1. 01

   Cost visibility before a call

   On the pages we read, Slimstock shows no price: its pricing address redirects to the homepage, and the calls to action are a demo, support and a local office. Lokad's contract FAQ says the fee is split into a platform fee and a support fee, with a starting price in the low thousands of euros or dollars per month. Lokad lets a buyer budget before a conversation. That difference alone shortens the first meeting for a finance director with a fixed budget.

   Edge: Lokad

2. 02

   Switching on only what you need

   Lokad prices per module, meaning one type of decision over one scope, and it does not charge per user. Most agreements carry a usage cap, and scope changes beyond the contract need an addendum. Slimstock lists a long menu, from demand forecasting to S&OP, S&OE and price and promotion management, yet the pages show no way to cost a single module. Lokad's structure is easier to scope. For a team that only needs one decision automated, that precision counts for a lot.

   Edge: Lokad

3. 03

   Breadth of the planning menu

   Slimstock's homepage describes Slim4 as covering planning, execution and data, and lists demand planning, inventory optimisation, multi-echelon, auto replenishment, supply planning, production scheduling, scenario planning and process orchestration. Lokad's modules cover purchasing, allocation, assortment, planning and scheduling, pricing, and asset and stock management. Both ranges are wide, but Slimstock names more planning processes, including integrated business planning. Lokad's list is shorter on named processes such as S&OP, which our reading found no mention of. Process coverage favours Slimstock.

   Edge: Slimstock

4. 04

   Who writes the logic

   Lokad says its supply chain scientists accompany customers, and the logic is written in Envision, a language it released in 2014. Our notes say planners cannot simply override a number in a meeting, and leaving means rebuilding the logic. Slimstock also depends on its people, since configuration runs through the vendor, but the product is a standard platform rather than code in a proprietary language. Planners wanting to override numbers in a meeting will find Lokad harder, and either vendor means ongoing dependence.

   Edge: Slimstock

5. 05

   Trial and growth clauses

   Lokad says a free trial account can be requested by email and it may decline, and it offers a read-only demo account and the Envision Playground. It also warns that fixed fees might not suit rapid growth, especially during mergers and acquisitions. Slimstock offers a demo to book and no trial, and nothing we read there mentions a growth clause. Lokad is more open about its limits and gives more hands-on access. Lokad offers more hands-on access to try the product.

   Edge: Lokad

6. 06

   Size and local presence

   Slimstock lists 600+ professionals, 1700+ customers, 96% retention, offices in 28 countries and activity in 75 countries, with its head office at Zutphenseweg 29, Deventer. Lokad lists an address on Boulevard Vincent Auriol in Paris, says it was created in 2008 with money from business angels and has no investors further involved. For a buyer who wants an office nearby, Slimstock offers much more of it. The pages we read give no customer count for Lokad, so the scale comparison is one-sided.

   Edge: Slimstock

Does Slimstock ever show a price list?

Not on the pages we read: the pricing address sends you to the homepage. Budget appears after a demo, and our notes say pricing always includes services. Lokad is the one that names a starting range.

What does Lokad mean by a fixed monthly fee?

It is a platform fee plus a support fee, set per module, which is one type of decision over a scope. It is not charged per user and most agreements have a usage cap. Perpetual licences are not offered because the service is multitenant SaaS.

Are both companies based in the EU?

Slimstock lists its head office in Deventer in the Netherlands. Lokad lists an address in Paris, France. Neither vendor's pages that we read say where data is hosted.

• Slimstock contact page: head office in Deventer, 28 offices, 1700+ customers, no prices and a demo call to action.
• Slimstock homepage: Slim4 module and solution menu from demand forecasting to process orchestration.
• Slimstock about page: 96% retention and selling through local teams.
• Lokad contract FAQ: fee structure, usage cap, trial by email, warning on rapid growth.
• Lokad about page: founded in Paris in 2008, Envision released in 2014, scientists accompany customers.
• Lokad contact page: Paris address in France.