The supply chain refers to all the physical or information flows and processes involved in the provision of the products to the customer. In other words, the supply chain comprises of all links in the logistics process. We must distinguish the supply chain of the company from the supply chain that is extended to all suppliers and their subcontractors. The supply chain corresponds to the global view of the logistic flows of the company as well as of its suppliers and customers.
The general idea of managing the supply chain is that the global optimum is not obtained by summing up local optima, but through coordination between players who sometimes have conflicting interests.
It was initially related to military activities, but now logistics has been integrated into the production field. It aims to minimize the cost associated with different stages of manufacturing processes and sales.
However, the evolution of the traditional logistics to the concept of the supply chain is new and computers have played a major role in this evolution.
Tags - supply chain management, logistics, products
[...] The key aspect on which to focus the discussion around the future of research on supply chain management is the anticipation, that is to say, sales forecasting, therefore the distribution process, manufacture, and supply, with a view to decision-making. This requires close collaboration with various departments of the organization, and in particular with the Directorate of Information Systems, responsible for ensuring the transmission of relevant information at the right time. Tools Management Information Systems will play a key role in the success of supply chain management. We can therefore consider applying the tools of information systems in supply chain management, including Business Intelligence. [...]
[...] The objective of supply chain management is to improve trust and collaboration between partners in the supply chain, thus improving and facilitating inventory visibility and speedy movement. The challenges of supply chain management can be broken down into three categories: strategic, tactical and operational. Strategic Issues: Optimization of the distribution (number, position and size of warehouses, distribution centers). Creating strategic partnerships with suppliers, distributors and customers (creation of communication channels). Decision support (what to produce, and where the produce). Align overall organizational strategy with supply strategy. Tactical issues: Purchasing decisions (supply contracts). [...]
[...] How to position the supply chain in the organization? The supply chain refers to all physical flows and information processes and availability of products from conception to the final customer. In other words the supply chain means all the links in the supply logistics. We must distinguish the supply chain of the enterprise and extended supply chain to all suppliers and their subcontractors. Supply Chain is the global vision of the logistics of the company but also its suppliers and customers. [...]
[...] Gradually, companies better identify their need for a supplement to other information systems, and having already partly imposed in several major areas of activity, the IB is likely to provide the logistic function to new opportunities, particularly in terms of flow of information in real time. Over recent years to a restructuring of the Supply Chain industry groups for ten or twenty years have each created their own urban logistics, revealing to the public on issues of logistics activities. Supply Chain has thus emerged as a key success factor in the organization. Enabling greater professionalism in the management of flows, it has better penetrated markets, improving business performance and fitting into the logic of flow channels with their partners. [...]
[...] These phenomena have led companies to seek new ways to improve their performance and better meet customer expectations. Logistics is therefore increasingly to improve the flow of an extended chain that goes from the supplier's supplier to customer's customer. The role of Supply Chain Manager is to ensure a communication with all internal and external partners of the company, in order to coordinate operations on all flows related to production, but also to information. It is present at all levels of the company; at the operational level (for managing the physical flow of goods), at the tactical level (to identify organizations and pilot these flows in the medium term) and strategic levels (to define the main directions in the long run). [...]
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