You’ve probably heard of APICS.
For decades, it’s been the name in supply chain certifications. CPIM, CSCP — if you’ve worked in planning, inventory, procurement or logistics, chances are someone’s told you to “just get certified by APICS.”
But is it still the best move in 2025?
Let’s break it down: what it teaches, when it’s great, and when another path might bring faster (and more relevant) results. I’ll also compare it with our approach at AbcSupplyChain, so you can choose what fits your goals.
What are APICS certifications (CPIM, CSCP, CLTD)?
APICS is now part of the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), and it offers several certifications:
- CPIM (Certified in Planning and Inventory Management) – focused on demand planning, inventory, MRP, and operations.
- CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) – covers the end-to-end supply chain, including strategy, sourcing, logistics, and compliance.
- CLTD (Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution) – focused on warehousing, transport, and distribution strategies.
(If you’re looking for a complete comparison of these certifications with other programs from universities, institutions, or online course platforms, I recommend checking out our full article here.)
They’re globally recognized. Many large companies (especially in the US and Europe) like seeing APICS on your resume. The exams are tough, and passing shows you’ve studied serious theory.
But it comes with a cost — not just money but time, complexity, and a learning style that isn’t right for everyone.
When APICS Is a Great Choice
Let’s be clear: APICS certifications still have real value for the right person in the right context.
You should consider it if:
- You’re in a large company with formal promotion paths or job levels tied to certifications
- You’re applying for consulting, planning, or S&OP roles where APICS is explicitly required
- You want to go deep into theory (e.g. MRP logic, ATP, DRP, TOC buffers, etc.)
- You enjoy structured study plans and are comfortable with academic-style exams
- You’re aiming for long-term career advancement, not just immediate results
APICS is a long game. It’s like going back to business school: it won’t change your day-to-day tomorrow, but it might open doors in a few months or years.
When It Might Not Be Ideal
However, for many professionals, APICS certifications may not be the best first step, or even necessary.
Here’s when you should think twice:
- You’re an operational planner or manager who needs practical tools, fast
- You’re trying to reduce inventory, improve forecasting, or build better Excel files — now
- You don’t have time (or budget) for 6–12 months of prep and exam fees
- You prefer learning through videos, templates, and case studies
- You already have supply chain experience and want to apply, not study theory
In short: if your job needs real impact next quarter, not a line on your CV next year, APICS might be too slow and too abstract.
APICS vs AbcSupplyChain: What’s the Difference?
Let’s make it clear with a side-by-side comparison:
| Criteria | APICS (CPIM, CSCP) | AbcSupplyChain Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 6–12 months | 20–40h per track |
| Learning Format | Books, exams, online modules | Short videos, Excel templates, quizzes |
| Focus | Strategic and Tactical Theory | Practical tools & methods for real problems |
| Topics Covered | Planning (advanced), inventory, S&OP, forecasting, Logistics, Transportation | Planning, inventory, S&OP, forecasting, Supply Chain Analytics, Excel |
| ROI Speed | Slow (long-term) | Fast (often weeks) |
| Cost | ~$2200 per certification (Learning materials + Exam) | $2000 per complete course |
| Recognition | Strong in corporate hiring | Strong in results & internal impact |
| Who It’s Best For | Job hunters, career climbers | Teams improving stock levels, forecast accuracy, supply chain visibility, or S&OP processes |
Why You Won’t Find Many Public Reviews of APICS (And What That Tells You)
If you’ve tried Googling “APICS reviews” or “CPIM feedback,” you may have noticed something odd: there’s almost no detailed feedback from real students on sites like Trustpilot, G2, etc. (a little bit on Reddit).
This doesn’t mean the certifications aren’t respected — they are.
But it reflects the way APICS operates:
- Most certifications are done through corporate sponsorships or internal training plans
- The experience is standardized and exam-focused
- There’s no public review loop — no encouragement to share feedback or discuss outcomes
In contrast, we’ve chosen a different approach at AbcSupplyChain.
We openly share real student experiences, measurable results, and templates you can test right away. You’ll know upfront what you’re getting, and whether it’s right for you.
This transparency helps professionals decide faster and with more confidence whether they choose us, APICS, or another path.
My Honest Take
I’ve seen both paths: people who spent months preparing for CPIM and learned a lot, and others who skipped the certification and focused on practical skills that saved their company €100k+ in inventory in under six months.
That’s why at AbcSupplyChain, we built a different approach:
- Focused on real use cases (stock levels, demand forecasting, Excel KPIs, S&OP meetings)
- Designed to be fast to implement
- Ideal for operations managers, supply/demand planners, supply chain analysts, supply chain consultants
It’s not for everyone. If you’re looking to land a job at a Fortune 500 and want credentials, APICS might be better.
But if you’re already working in supply chain and want to improve your impact, we can help you get results faster.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to choose one or the other forever.
Some of our students actually start with our course, apply the tools, get promoted… and then do APICS or any other relevant certification later, when they have the budget and time.
But if you’re standing at the fork in the road today, ask yourself:
- Do I want recognition… or results?
- Do I have months to study… or a problem to solve this quarter?
If it’s the second, we’d love to help you get started.
