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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Barilla achieves 80% visibility into ocean and over-the-road shipments with FourKites

1 Barilla achieves 80% visibility into ocean and over-the-road shipments with FourKites

Barilla, the pasta producer, has achieved 80% visibility into the entire lifecycle of its ocean and road shipments, thanks to supply chain visibility provider FourKites.

Navigating e-commerce growth: Choosing the tight tech stack beyond ERP

2 Navigating e-commerce growth: Choosing the tight tech stack beyond ERP

Selecting the right technologies plays a pivotal role in facilitating connectivity, driving efficiencies, and ensuring seamless operations as businesses scale and become more complex. A key consideration for many large-scale enterprises is the adoption of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. However, the question arises: is an ERP solution really the right technology solution for ambitious online retailers?

Moody's comment on blocked EU supply chain law & global implications

3 Moody's comment on blocked EU supply chain law & global implications

Earlier this week, EU countries blocked a proposed law requiring large companies to check if their supply chains use forced labour or cause environmental damage.

Twin channel sortation solution for leading Japanese fashion retailer

4 Twin channel sortation solution for leading Japanese fashion retailer

United Arrows, one of Japan’s leading fashion retail brands, has seen a significant increase in the efficiency of the order sortation process at its Tokyo distribution hub following the introduction of a mobile robot-based sorting system supplied and installed by LiBiao Robotics.

Balloon One announces new client partnership with Huel

5 Balloon One announces new client partnership with Huel

Huel Ltd, producer of nutritionally complete meals, has chosen Balloon One to supply and implement its new Körber warehouse management system (WMS) to manage its new warehouse facility and anticipates a number of benefits.

Creating a more transparent supply chain

6 Creating a more transparent supply chain

Many industrial companies across the UK are exploring the benefits of digitalisation. A recent European digital health study from Zoho, for example, reported that 33 per cent of large UK businesses have a good digital health rating — meaning they have successfully digitalised.

Digitising supply chains for enhanced due diligence and trade compliance

7 Digitising supply chains for enhanced due diligence and trade compliance

By Brent Dawkins, Director of Product Marketing, QAD

Supply chain due diligence is undoubtedly a major consideration for organisations, especially those who participate in global trade. The need for efficient and resilient supply chains is paramount and immediate. Traditional supply chain processes are often marred by complexities, delays, human error, and a lack of real-time visibility.

Integrating AI – The power of people plus technology

8 Integrating AI – The power of people plus technology

By Cameron Furmidge, Head of Insights, Luzern eCommerce.

Arguably the most difficult task in retailing is achieving customer loyalty. Making the first sale, with special offers, clever marketing and seductive product promises, is one thing. Gaining the trust of the consumer so they will come back to your offerings above others, is a whole different ball game.

Oracle helps customers drive efficiency in global supply chains

9 Oracle helps customers drive efficiency in global supply chains

To help organizations increase the efficiency of global supply chains, Oracle is introducing new logistics capabilities within Oracle Fusion Cloud Supply Chain & Manufacturing (SCM). The updates to Oracle Transportation Management and Oracle Global Trade Management, part of Oracle Cloud SCM, will help customers optimize logistics operations...

B2B2C

10 B2B2C

The predicted convergence between B2B and B2C is set to continue in 2024, which puts even greater pressure on product information management. However, as Kristin Naragon, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Akeneo explains, there are rich benefits for both sellers and buyers.

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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