In today's business environment, industry experts acknowledge that supply chain resiliency and agility provide a significant competitive advantage.
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.
Critical strategies for building an agile supply chain driving one synchronised view of demand
Oct 12, 2010
Origin Enterprises plc selects Microsoft Dynamics AX from Columbus IT
Sep 29, 2010
Origin Enterprises Plc has selected Microsoft Dynamics AX with Microsoft Partner Columbus IT to ensure they are positioned for growth with a single IT platform across the group.
New book on mastering supply chain volatility launched
Sep 29, 2010
A new book, 'X-SCM: The New Science of X-treme Supply Chain Management', includes contributions from world experts in supply chain volatility management and unveils a new science for managing supply chain risk and extreme volatility.
Riding the recession will investment in technology help you to survive or thrive?
Sep 23, 2010
In a recent survey by the CILT, 45% of logistics industry executives cited that riding out the recession was their main priority.
Logility positioned as a leader in the Magic Quadrant for Supply Chain Planning for Process Automation
Sep 23, 2010
Logility Inc., supplier of collaborative solutions to optimize the supply chain, has been recognized by Gartner as a Leader in the Magic Quadrant for Supply Chain Planning for Process Automation (Tim Payne, 3 September, 2010).
Brico Dpt improves merchandising execution and increases productivity in the French market with the support of JDA Software
Sep 23, 2010
JDA Software Group, Inc. the supply chain company, has announced that Brico Dpt has successfully completed the implementation of JDA Space Planning, JDA Intactix Knowledge Base and JDA Web Publisher.
New Infor solutions improve performance and bring rapid ROI to mid-market
Sep 15, 2010
Infor, provider of business software for mid-market customers, has announced what it describes as a new breed of business application, Infor Express.
Alfar chooses IBS Enterprise for pharmaceutical (IBS Pharma) to renew its core processes
Sep 09, 2010
International Business Systems (STO: IBS B) has announced that Alfar, Alessandria Farmaceutici has chosen IBS Enterprise for Pharmaceuticals to help run their business.
IBM completes acquisition of Sterling Commerce
Sep 03, 2010
IBM has closed its acquisition of Sterling Commerce. The company expands IBM's ability to help clients accelerate their interactions with customers, partners and suppliers.
Nordstrom teams with Sterling Commerce to improve customer order lifecycle
Aug 25, 2010
Sterling Commerce has announced that fashion specialty retailer Nordstrom is leveraging the company's collaborative supply chain solution, Sterling Selling and Fulfilment Suite, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance its customer shopping experience.
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.
