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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The hidden cost of inflation: businesses forced to sacrifice sustainability and labour standards

1 The hidden cost of inflation: businesses forced to sacrifice sustainability and labour standards

Research from Ivalua, the Cloud Spend Management solutions provider, has revealed 90% of businesses’ supply chains have been disrupted by inflation in the past 12 months. As a result of higher inflation and rising costs, organisations have been hampered in their efforts to improve supply chain sustainability (64%) and labour standards (63%).

Logility acquires AI forecasting company Garvis

2 Logility acquires AI forecasting company Garvis

Logility, Inc., the prescriptive supply chain planning solutions provider, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Garvis, a visionary SaaS startup that combines large language models (ChatGPT) with AI-native demand forecasting.

Transforming Warehouse Operations: How LumperHQ.com Rescued a Struggling Business

3 Transforming Warehouse Operations: How LumperHQ.com Rescued a Struggling Business

In the world of logistics, the efficient movement of goods is paramount. For warehouses, the process of unloading containers is a crucial, albeit labour-intensive, task. Many warehouses struggle to find reliable labour to perform this job efficiently, and the cost of manual unloading can be a significant burden. However, one warehouse faced with these challenges found a remarkable solution that turned their fortunes around – LumperHQ.com.

Manhattan Associates transforms retail returns

4 Manhattan Associates transforms retail returns

Manhattan Associates Inc. has announced enhanced Returns Management capabilities to streamline and optimise the returns process, and deliver a frictionless experience for both consumers and retailers.

Data, data everywhere: The future of AI in logistics transportation

5 Data, data everywhere: The future of AI in logistics transportation

Most shippers, carriers and logistics service providers understand the importance of data collection and data-driven decision-making. Data collected over time provides intelligence, enabling companies to enhance long-term decision-making. Meanwhile, real-time data can be used to make smart split-second decisions – like how to correct or replan when problems occur.

How retailers can make the most of the annual shopping events

6 How retailers can make the most of the annual shopping events

By Nathan Lomax, co-founder and director, Quickfire Digital.

Black Friday. Singles Day. Cyber Monday. Amazon Prime Day. White Friday. El Buen Fin.

With automotive supply chains stabilising, focus on sustainability expected to rise back up automakers’ agendas

7 With automotive supply chains stabilising, focus on sustainability expected to rise back up automakers’ agendas

According to the latest report ‘The automotive supply chain: Pursuing long-term resilience’ from the Capgemini Research Institute, automotive organisations now feel more confident to tackle future supply chain disruptions.

UK shoppers’ blended trust for product recommendation sources prompts need for cross-channel ads

8 UK shoppers’ blended trust for product recommendation sources prompts need for cross-channel ads

With UK shoppers now demanding more ‘blended’ product recommendations, both from traditional ad channels, as well as from brands and retailers they already trust, retail businesses will need to evolve their channel-mix for consumer engagement, the latest research from ADvendio, the omnichannel advertising solution provider, suggests.

From share of wallet to “share of life” with reverse logistics

9 From share of wallet to “share of life” with reverse logistics

By Mattias Gredenhag, CTO, nShift.

Reverse logistics can be a costly and complex process for retailers. Shipping, handling, and processing returned items can lead to increased costs and management overheads. Furthermore, managing reverse logistics can be a complex task, especially for ecommerce businesses that operate across multiple channels and locations.

PacSun elevates shopping experience with Manhattan Active Point of Sale

10 PacSun elevates shopping experience with Manhattan Active Point of Sale

Manhattan Associates Inc has announced that PacSun, the specialty retailer of emerging youth brands and trending fashion, has selected Manhattan Active Point of Sale to enhance its omnichannel sales strategy and deliver a seamless, unified 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.

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