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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Global Shipping & Logistics drives Middle East growth with Manhattan Associates

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Manhattan Associates has announced that GSL has made key improvements in the service it provides to customers following a recent upgrade of Manhattan ILS

Howard Tenens meets complex and changing demands of 3PL operations

2 Howard Tenens meets complex and changing demands of 3PL operations

HighJump Software has announced that its WMS has improved operations in the Andover warehousing and transport facility of Howard Tenens

Infor donates Network Design software for green supply chain research

3 Infor donates Network Design software for green supply chain research

MIT-CTL will use Infor SCM Network Design in its research on supply chain design, including how to measure and reduce carbon emissions

Green supply chain shouldn't everybody have one?

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Rapidly rising energy costs and environmental concerns have driven 'green' issues ever higher on the business agenda

Norfolkline selects Kewill to step up transport efficiency

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Norfolkline, one of Europes leading door-to-door transportation service providers, has chosen Kewill, to simplify global trade and logistics

Sephora goes live with RedPrairie Warehouse Management System

6 Sephora goes live with RedPrairie Warehouse Management System

RedPrairie Corporation have announced that its WMS is running in cosmetics retailer Sephoras new Salt Lake City distribution centre

Printronix saves companies money while increasing bar code accuracy

7 Printronix saves companies money while increasing bar code accuracy

Online Data Validation paired with Printronix thermal printers guarantees 100% readability and realises ROI in two months

ILOG Plant PowerOps 3.1 offers dynamic safety stock for true demand-driven manufacturing

8 ILOG Plant PowerOps 3.1 offers dynamic safety stock for true demand-driven manufacturing

ILOG has unveiled ILOG Plant PowerOps 3.1 , the latest version of ILOGs integrated planning and scheduling solution, featuring industry-first support for dynamic safety stocks

Nestl hires Transporeon

9 Nestl hires Transporeon

Nestl Purina PetCare Europe has selected Transporeon's e-logistics solutions for the management of its international transport

Case Study - Transwide improves transportation execution performance for Carmeuse Group

10 Case Study - Transwide improves transportation execution performance for Carmeuse Group

Operating in 22 countries, with over 100 production plants worldwide, Carmeuse manufactures and ships more than 58 million tons of lime and limestone products per year

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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