APICS

What APICS does

ASCM (Association for Supply Chain Management), operating under the legacy APICS brand for its certification portfolio, is a nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1957 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The organization is the global leader in supply chain education and credentialing, serving individual supply chain professionals, enterprise workforce development buyers, academic institutions, and government/military clients across 100+ countries. ASCM's core offering is a portfolio of four flagship certifications (CPIM, CSCP, CLTD, CTSC), six specialized certificate programs (planning, technology, resilience, procurement, warehousing, supplier relationship management), and foundational courses, all built around the proprietary SCOR (Supply Chain Operations Reference) framework and an internally developed body of knowledge maintained by industry experts.

The underlying technology stack includes the APICS Learning System (digital and printed materials paired with online interactive study tools, quizzes, flashcards, and practice exams), the Supply Chain Knowledge Center online community platform, and digital assets including the APICS Dictionary app. Enterprise offerings extend beyond credentials to the SCOR Digital Standard, SCORmark benchmarking tool, and three enterprise assessment tools that support organizational supply chain transformation. Content delivery is enabled through self-study, instructor-led, and instructor-supported modalities, backed by a global network of 300+ channel partners, Pearson VUE test centers and OnVUE online proctoring for exam administration, and academic partners including Fox Valley Technical College.

ASCM's revenue model is diversified across five streams: one-time certification exam and learning system license fees ($500-$3,650 per bundle), recurring ASCM membership dues (starting at $10/month), recurring certification maintenance fees, enterprise corporate training and SCORmark assessment services, and events/conference revenue (including the annual CHAINge conference). The organization generates revenue from 50,000+ members, 175,000+ certified professionals, and corporate partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, with go-to-market executed through direct online sales, channel partners, enterprise field sales, and academic partnerships. No financial results are publicly disclosed.

Name

APICS

Legal name

Association for Supply Chain Management, Inc.

Website

https://apics.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ASCM (APICS) is a 70+ year-old nonprofit professional association offering globally recognized supply chain certifications (CPIM, CSCP, CLTD, CTSC), certificate programs, and the proprietary SCOR framework, serving 50,000+ members and 175,000+ certified professionals across 100+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Supply Chain Certification and Education

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Training Course Marketplaces (B2B Content Libraries) (EDAFAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Project, Process & Quality Certification Prep (PMP, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL) (EDANAIAE)

Keywords

• Supply chain certifications
• Professional certifications training
• Supply chain education
• Operations management credentials
• Logistics certification programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Certification Exams and Learning Systems: Revenue from selling certification learning systems, exam fees, and bundles to individual professionals. Includes self-study materials and exam vouchers purchased separately or as bundled packages.
2. ASCM Membership: Annual membership dues providing access to resources, discounts on certifications, and professional development benefits. Members receive 28% discount on certifications and automatic maintenance points.
3. Corporate/Enterprise Training: Customized workforce development programs, group training, and organizational transformation solutions sold to enterprise clients. Includes SCORmark benchmarking and assessment services.
4. Events and Conferences: Revenue from conferences including CHAINge annual event, webinars, and professional development events. Includes maintenance points earned through attendance.
5. Certification Maintenance Fees: Fees for maintaining certifications through professional development points submission every five years

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ASCM (operating under the APICS brand) is a nonprofit professional association that develops and delivers globally recognized supply chain certifications (CPIM, CSCP, CLTD, CTSC), certificate programs, and enterprise training built around its proprietary SCOR framework. The organization sells self-study learning systems, proctored certification exams, annual memberships, and customized corporate workforce development and transformation solutions. Its content is delivered through a global network of 300+ channel partners, Pearson VUE test centers, and a corporate sales team.

Product overview

APICS (now ASCM) is a portfolio of supply chain professional certification, certificate, and educational programs built around the proprietary SCOR framework. The core offering consists of four flagship certifications (CPIM for planning and inventory management, CSCP for end-to-end supply chain leadership, CLTD for logistics and distribution, and CTSC for supply chain transformation), supplemented by six focused certificate programs covering planning, technology, resilience, procurement, warehousing, and supplier relationship management. Enterprise offerings include the SCOR Digital Standard, SCORmark benchmarking tools, and three enterprise assessment tools. All offerings leverage the APICS Learning Systems platform and are supported by the Supply Chain Knowledge Center online community. Training is delivered through self-study, instructor-led, and instructor-supported modalities via a global network of 300+ channel partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CPIM (Certified in Planning and Inventory Management) Globally recognized certification focusing on production and inventory management within an organization. Covers demand variation, risk management, disruption handling, and planning excellence for supply chain and operations professionals.
• CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional)
• CLTD (Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution) Logistics certification covering all aspects of product movement including inbound materials management, warehousing, transportation, and reverse logistics for supply chain and logistics professionals.
• CTSC (Certified in Transformation for Supply Chain) Strategic transformation certification demonstrating knowledge of supply chain evolution, adaptation, and transformation including risk management and sustainability for senior supply chain leaders.
• Supply Chain Planning Certificate Focused certificate program providing understanding of supply chain planning and how various planning levels interconnect and synchronize to align business processes.
• Supply Chain Technology Certificate Certificate program teaching implementation of latest technologies including Blockchain, Automation, and IoT in supply chain organizations to reduce costs and boost performance.
• Supply Chain Resilience Certificate Certificate program providing comprehensive knowledge of concepts, practices, and trends related to organizational and strategic supply chain resilience.
• Supply Chain Procurement Certificate Certificate program developing key knowledge in procurement fundamentals, sourcing strategies, evaluation metrics, and contract management negotiations.
• Supply Chain Warehousing Certificate Certificate program building knowledge in warehousing and distribution logistics developed in partnership with Prologis.
• Supplier Relationship Management Certificate Certificate program cultivating long-term supplier relationships that reduce costs, limit risks, and provide end-to-end visibility across the supply chain.
• SCOR (Supply Chain Operations Reference) Framework Proprietary supply chain framework for identifying opportunities, guiding improvements, and enhancing supply chain performance — the industry-standard framework endorsed by leading organizations.
• SCOR Digital Standard (SCOR-DS) Digital transformation tool within the SCOR framework for modernizing and benchmarking supply chain operations, enabling data-driven performance management.
• SCORmark Benchmarking Enterprise-level benchmarking tool enabling organizations to compare supply chain performance against industry standards using the SCOR framework.
• Enterprise Assessment Tools Three enterprise-level assessment tools providing insights to drive measurable supply chain transformations including maturity benchmarking and performance evaluation.
• Workforce Development Programs Customized organizational talent development programs using the SCOR framework to build workforce strategies including certification pathways and targeted training for enterprise clients.
• APICS Learning Systems Comprehensive exam preparation learning systems combining digital and printed materials with online interactive platforms including quizzes, flashcards, practice exams, and learning activities for CPIM, CSCP, CLTD, and CTSC certifications.
• Foundations of Supply Chain Management Entry-level educational program with six courses covering fundamental areas: Inventory Management, Distribution and Logistics, Operations Planning, Manufacturing Management, Managing Operations, and Introduction to Supply Chain Principles.
• ASCM Membership Annual professional membership providing access to resources, 28% discount on certifications, 6 maintenance points per year, access to certification maintenance dashboard, ASCM CONNECT community, and exclusive professional development benefits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 23% salary increase with APICS certification
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and strategic.

• PrologiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Prologis (global logistics real estate leader) to develop the Supply Chain Warehousing Certificate program, combining ASCM's education expertise with Prologis's industry knowledge.
• GartnerflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint ASCM/Gartner Supply Chain Sustainability Study providing research and insights on supply chain sustainability trends and practices.
• Ellen MacArthur FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASCM is part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation community supporting the transition to a circular economy. ASCM Enterprise Standards developed in alignment with circular economy principles.
• International Business Forum (IBF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint ASCM & IBF Best of the Best S&OP Conference combining ASCM's certification expertise with IBF's S&OP industry leadership.
• Fox Valley Technical CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Fox Valley Technical College for instructor-supported online certification courses. Provides 16-week online courses for CPIM, CSCP, CLTD, and CTSC certifications.
• Pearson VUEcoreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal testing delivery partner administering APICS certification exams at test centers worldwide and through OnVUE online proctoring system.
• 300+ APICS Channel PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of 300+ authorized training partners delivering APICS certification review courses in-person and online worldwide. Includes local chapters, international partners, and training organizations.
• Academic PartnersstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnerships with universities and academic institutions for supply chain education programs, including APICS for Academics and Students initiatives.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Project Management Institute (PMI): Global nonprofit membership organization that issues the gold-standard PMP and other project management certifications. Highly comparable to ASCM in nonprofit, member-driven, professional certification model for a domain-adjacent discipline.
• Institute for Supply Management (ISM): U.S.-based nonprofit membership organization for supply management professionals offering CPSM and other credentials. Closest direct peer to ASCM in supply chain education, training, and certification.
• Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS): UK-headquartered global professional body for procurement and supply chain credentials. Comparable to ASCM as a nonprofit certification authority serving the same professional buyer base internationally.
• Scaled Agile (SAFe): Provider of the dominant enterprise Agile framework certifications (SAFe Scrum Master, SAFe Agilist). Comparable to ASCM as a certification-driven business targeting transformation and operating model roles inside Fortune 500 enterprises.
• (ISC)²: Global nonprofit issuing CISSP and other cybersecurity certifications. Closely mirrors ASCM's model of nonprofit-led, globally recognized, high-stakes professional certifications with employer-validated salary premiums.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Major MOOC platform offering supply chain specializations from top universities and companies at much lower price points. A broader incumbent in professional digital learning that competes for entry-level supply chain education wallet share.
• SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management): Large nonprofit HR professional association offering globally recognized SHRM-CP/SCP certifications. A structural peer in the nonprofit, member-based professional certification space adjacent to supply chain workforce development.
• LinkedIn Learning: Subscription-based professional learning platform owned by Microsoft, integrated with LinkedIn's hiring graph. Competes with ASCM for individual professional development spend with employer-friendly completion tracking.

Emerging players

• edX (2U): Online learning platform offering university-issued supply chain microMasters and certificates. An emerging alternative to traditional professional certifications, competing on price and academic brand recognition.

Others

• Toastmasters International: Global nonprofit membership organization providing education and credentialing in communication and leadership. Structurally similar to ASCM as a long-running nonprofit association built on chapters, members, and education programs rather than direct competition in supply chain content.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Tweet_APICS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/APICSVideo
• Facebookfacebook.com/APICS-The-Association-for-Operatio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apics
• Instagraminstagram.com/apics_org

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about APICS