Supply Chain Management, Optimisation, Software, Execution

Supply chain management software (SCM) is a term that embraces a wide range of software functionality. The joint purpose of these different modules and tools is to better execute supply chain transactions, manage supplier relationships and control all main business processes related to supply and delivery. The discipline of SCM covers everything from the storage and movement of parts and raw materials, to work in progress (WIP) and the management of goods and materials from source to the point of delivery to the customer. The APICS Dictionary describes SCM as the \"design, planning, execution, control, and monitoring of supply chain activities with the objective of creating net value, building a competitive infrastructure, leveraging worldwide logistics, synchronizing supply with demand and measuring performance globally.

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Exploring the power of one versus the power of many

1 Exploring the power of one versus the power of many

The automotive industry has an enviable track record in creating efficient and effective ‘build and sell’ operational processes. Yet at a time of changing automotive technology and a shifting expectation of car usage and acquisition, especially in younger generations, the temptation to focus exclusively on highly effective operational processes risks undermining customer experience and brand loyalty.

bp invests in digital supply chain solution to enhance retail customer experience

2 bp invests in digital supply chain solution to enhance retail customer experience

bp has signed an agreement with RELEX Solutions, provider of unified supply chain and retail planning solutions, to implement their forecasting and replenishment capabilities in its UK convenience retail business.

5G routers keep the UK’s pop-up shops connected

3 5G routers keep the UK’s pop-up shops connected

On average, 36 shops close their doors across British high streets every week. However, many small business owners still bet on traditional retail, with an 18 per cent rise in pop-up shop openings in the past year. These outlets are often deemed high street saviours, but they come with technology challenges.

61% of UK business leaders say connecting their supply chain data from different sources is a top business priority

4 61% of UK business leaders say connecting their supply chain data from different sources is a top business priority

Supply chain leaders cite the need to reduce costs, improve the customer experience and expedite delivery times as their top-three challenges, yet fewer than half are leveraging their supply chain data to inform their strategy and 14% aren’t using supply chain data at all to make decisions.

Supply chain visibility – a critical problem-solving component

5 Supply chain visibility – a critical problem-solving component

Blog - 4flow trend monitor.

Supply chains are in constant motion – and innovation promises to speed up the rate of change. With all these developments, businesses need to know where to focus their efforts to ensure the future viability of their supply chains. The 4flow trend monitor will provide a trend outlook highlighting important developments expected to have an impact on supply chain in the next one to five years.

Global supply chain consultancy appoints executive director to drive future growth

6 Global supply chain consultancy appoints executive director to drive future growth

SCALA, a global supply chain and logistics consultancy, has appointed a new executive director to help drive the business’ future direction and strategic growth.

Scan Global Logistics selects e2open Transportation Management to support long-term growth

7 Scan Global Logistics selects e2open Transportation Management to support long-term growth

E2open Parent Holdings, Inc., the connected supply chain SaaS platform with the largest multi-enterprise network, has announced that Scan Global Logistics (SGL), a global freight forwarder, has selected e2open’s cloud-based Transportation Management to simplify its application landscape and provide the freight forwarder with a single, integrated platform to manage each facet of its transportation operations across 160 locations.

World Commerce & Contracting and Icertis deliver global perspective on Contract and commercial management in 2023 Benchmark Report

8 World Commerce & Contracting and Icertis deliver global perspective on Contract and commercial management in 2023 Benchmark Report

Icertis, the contract intelligence company that pushes the boundaries of what's possible with contract lifecycle management (CLM), and World Commerce & Contracting, the global provider of independent research in commercial and contract management (CCM), have published the 2023 Benchmark Report titled CCM: The Journey to Operational Excellence.

There's data and there's data-driven insights

9 There's data and there's data-driven insights

By Marc Boileau, Senior Vice President Sales and Network Operations at FourKites.

Supply chain data can give businesses real-time insights into their operations, helping them navigate challenges, optimize processes and drive competitive advantage.

Discover the power of supply chain network optimization - 4flow ebook

10 Discover the power of supply chain network optimization - 4flow ebook

4flow ebook: The ultimate guide to supply chain network optimization.

Over 60% of corporations want to adopt cutting edge inventory and network optimization tools in their supply chains in the coming years. The trend towards optimization of entire or partial supply chain networks in recent years has emerged as a way to deal with increasingly complex supply chains.....

Supply Chain Management Software (SCM)

Supply chain management software (SCMS) is a business term which refers to a whole range of software tools or modules used in executing supply chain transactions, managing supplier relationships and controlling associated business processes. Supply chain management spans all movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.

Supply Chain Management (SCM) includes all the activities that must take place to get the right product into the right consumer’s hands in the right quantity and at the right time. The supply chain manager supervises all the related logistical processes for the organisation. Effective supply chain management involves the coordination of all of the various elements of the chain as quickly as possible by harmonizing the contributions at each stage, including use of vendor partners and third-party service providers. This must be done as cost-effectively as possible and the priority is to be customer-driven.

Being more attentive to the stages throughout the length of the chain helps companies to stay competitive, reduces overall costs, increases efficiency and ultimately, keeps the customers happy. Supply chains are becoming increasingly integrated and complex, and as such now require dedicated and well-trained managers

Supply chain management (SCM) is sometimes broken down into the stages of planning, execution and shipping. Supply chain planning (SCP) and supply chain execution are the two main categories of SCM software. SCP software applications apply algorithms to predict future requirements and balance supply and demand.

Another definition is provided by the APICS Dictionary when it defines SCM as the "design, planning, execution, control, and monitoring of supply chain activities with the objective of creating net value, building a competitive infrastructure, leveraging worldwide logistics, synchronizing supply with demand and measuring performance globally."

Supply chain execution (SCE) is the flow of tasks involved in the supply chain, such as order fulfilment, procurement, warehousing and transporting. SCE software applications track the physical status of goods, the management of materials, and financial information involving all parties.

Supply chain planning software helps organizations manage and replenish their inventory through sales and demand forecasting. As part of a supply chain management system, supply chain planning solutions like sales & operations planning (S&OP) serve an important function in the on-going effort to reduce waste and increase profitability.

Supply chain optimization software handles capacity planning as well as sequencing and scheduling. Beyond simply providing demand estimation data, it allows organizations to act immediately on any pertinent information gathered from the data by altering delivery schedules, shifting stored inventory loads, and adjusting revenue and expense projections.

Supply Chain standards and models: 

There are a variety of supply chain models. The Supply-Chain Operations Reference model (SCOR) , developed by the management consulting firm PRTM, now part of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) has been endorsed by the Supply-Chain Council (SCC) and has become the industry standard diagnostic tool for supply chain management. SCOR measures total supply chain performance in terms of production flexibility, fulfillment performance, order delivery, reverse logistics efficiency/returns processing, warranty and general service levels.

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