|
Global Supply Chain Management
Global Supply Chain Management can squeeze inefficiencies out of your supply chain. Getting the
supply chain right can be one of the toughest challenges facing an organisation.
Obtaining some help, in the form of a software package to calculate optimum
inventory levels, logistics and so on, seems logical. But there are a number
of difficulties in setting up a Global Supply Chain Management.
Possible Routes of Global Supply Chain Management
There are three routes you can take: implement a specialised Global Supply Chain Management, of which there are
many on the market; use the supply chain-related modules of larger software suites;
or use enterprise resource planning (ERP) packages that also offer more general
business and financial modules. SAP is probably the best-known ERP vendor, with its R/3
client-server software.
With Global Supply Chain Management, some of the specialist software vendors, for example, Industri-Matematik,
Numetrix and American Software, say their products are tailored to supply operations and
will provide the best functionality.
However, everyone involved in the area stresses that Global Supply Chain Management is complex precisely because it is
linked to so many other business functions, it may make sense to go for the overall
enterprise package.
On the other hand, Global Supply Chain Management can be an expensive option, and the organisation may already have
well-established general financial and business systems in place, in which case the more
specialised packages may be more appropriate.
With Global Supply Chain Management, customers are looking for two quite separate benefits when implementing Global Supply Chain Management packages.
Obviously they are trying to pare down the cost of distribution, but there is also the issue
of customer service.
It is better to implement a Global Supply Chain Management that improves the existing business and is then flexible enough
to enable change in the future, such as coping with a move to more electronic commerce.
Issues Of Global Supply Chain Management
There are several key issues companies need to consider when planning to automate supply chain
functions. Pace is important. Major car manufacturers, for example, make a car every
two minutes. If you provide a component that goes in every car, you need to ensure your system
provides the flexibility to work at your customers pace.
Defining Global Supply Chain Management terms is also important. You need to ensure the systems and the people are all
talking the same language and, if possible, using the same Global Supply Chain Management data. This is a jargon ridden
business and it's important everyone agrees on definitions. Where a company has bothered to write
a glossary of terms, it shows it is serious about this issue.
In technical terms, the key issues when looking at Global Supply Chain Management are full connectivity, strong functionality,
flexibility and the ability to take advantage of emerging technologies, such as electronic commerce.
It's also vital that the Global Supply Chain Management system is easy to use. If it's not, people revert to their own
systems and so it doesn't get used.
An average Global Supply Chain Management system for between 10 and 15 users could cost in the region of $80,000,
while larger set-ups can cost considerably more.
Many vendors claim to be able to deliver a quick return on investment by cutting out waste in the system,
and some users (e.g. British Airways), have found experience bears this out. There are dangers in not
approaching Global Supply Chain Management systems with a clear plan. A number of horror stories about systems that were simply
never finished.
The Benefits Of Global Supply Chain Management
Using the Global Supply Chain Management for automotive can enable you to develop and implement solutions smoothly
with suppliers to help you improve your business operations:
- Track parts through the supply chain to find problems quickly and avoid recalls.
- Forecast material accuracy by improving collaboration in the supply chain.
- Improve customer satisfaction by fulfilling orders in near realtime.
- Improve inventory turns through streamlined processes.
- Reduce the amount of administrative work to increase productivity.
- Reduce lag time by improving communication in the supply chain.
- Get vehicles to market faster by using effective processes.
- Reduce warehouse costs and inventory levels by delivering quality products on time.
- Link to systems throughout the entire supply chain without disrupting daily operations.
- Utilize Internet, intranet and extranet technologies to improve time-to-market.
Global Supply Chain Management can help companies deliver the right product to the right place at the right time for the
right price. The recommended improvements have led to reduced operating and IT costs for parts operations.
To visualize what we're talking about Global Supply Chain Management, some ads sponsors have a superb example
worth seeing. More information on Global Supply Chain Management are shown below:
Supply Chain Management Courses Supply Chain Online offers a low-cost
certificate program in the fundamentals of supply chain management, for all
experience levels. www.supplychainonline.com
Graduate School of Business and Logistic Loeb-Sullivan School - Defense
logistics, global supply chain, maritime management, international
transportation, global purchasing, commerce and economics programs.
ibl.mainemaritime.edu
Wholesale Grocery Exchange - Supply Visagent Corporation, in conjunction with
the Worldwide Retail Exchange, developed the Surplus Goods Exchange (Sge), a
Web-based platform that replaces conventional intermediaries. www.visagent.com
Global Supply Chain Management Solution Horizon Services' Global Supply Chain
Management Solution enables transportation companies to manage their business in
a more cost-effective manner. www.horizonservicesgroup.com
Global Supply Chain Management Logistics and order management for inbound and
foreign-to-foreign. www.niac-trademanagementsolutions.com
Global Supply Chain Management Tool Kit Ovitz Taylor Gates offers an information
tool kit that includes starter documents, assessment, guidebook, glossary,
checklists and presentations. www.ovitztaylorgates.com
Institute of Logistical Management Education and training skills in
transportaion and supply chain. CLP (Certified Logistics Practitioner)
certificate. Accredited and Dantes affiliated. Distance learning.
www.logisticseducation.edu
Make High-Quality Product in China Multiple bids to insure competitive pricing,
tight quality control and fast turnaround. We handle all details. The
Outsourcing Network - Global Sourcing made Easy. www.outsourcingnetwork.net
global supply chain management
| 
