SCM Insights · Technology Looking into the future: Predictive analytics in supply chain management As a branch of business analytics, predictive analytics is focused on making projections about relevant events in the future. Although not known by this particular term, the discipline itself has long been used to manage supply chains.The VMI process is a good example of a long-standing predictive analytics approach. When regulating supply using VMI, the customer defines inventory thresholds that suppliers are not allowed to exceed or fall short of over the course of their deliveries. (more…)
SCM Insights · Technology True Software as a Service (SaaS) vs. ASP: What are the differences and why does true SaaS provide benefits in an SCM environment? Over the past few years many companies have shown a growing interest in applying the software-as-a-service concept to a wide range of processes. This can be attributed to the many benefits provided by SaaS compared with conventional software licensing models. (more…)
SCM Insights Secure supply despite reduced capital lockup – how is this possible? (Part 2) The digitalization of the supply chain paves the way for well-synchronized material flowsWhat can be done to create greater transparency and reduce the stock and inventory levels by better synchronizing the material flows?Now, to put it simply, one has to figure out how to eliminate the causes of the lack of transparency and synchronicity of material flows. In this regard, the entire process of supply chain planning and management must be examined. (more…)
SCM Insights Secure supply despite reduced capital lockup – how is this possible? (Part 1) The question above is probably much older than the term "supply chain management", which first appeared at the beginning of the '80s, became more pervasive in the '90s and an established management term by the turn of the century.There is no need to speculate about the point at which this issue began to be addressed by academics. All we can say is that the issue has become particularly important over the past 15 years given increasing globalization, intensified global competition and a decreasing value creation chain. (more…)
SCM Insights Me purchasing, you logistics – the organizational and procedural separation of corporate functions leads to sub-optimum results from the point of view of the supply chain Although the discipline "Supply Chain Management" combines aspects of purchasing and logistics from a procedural point of view, both functions exist in the majority of manufacturing companies as separate organizational units. This fact has generally been taken for granted up to now without questioning the overall aspects.The Supply Chain Management Faculty of the University of Tennessee has taken a closer look at this topic and discovered something interesting "We have met the enemy and he is us …!" (more…)
SCM Insights Are you collaborating already, or do you just exchange data? In spite of the continuing spread of the Internet and the associated improvements to companies’ electronic networks, business processes are still largely based on the exchange of unstructured data by e-mail or even fax.This may well surprise us, particularly as the fourth industrial revolution, ‘Industry 4.0,’ was proclaimed some time ago, (more…)
SCM Insights Volatility hinders logistics planning – more responsibility for forwarding companies? In its survey entitled "Market volatility in transport and logistics", the BME predictably noted at the end of 2013 that it is more and more difficult for forwarding and shipping companies to plan their warehouse and fleet capacities owing to the growing volatility resulting from increasing globalization.In my opinion, the most important findings of the survey were as follows: (more…)
SCM Insights · Technology Increasing supply reliability for critical bottleneck parts Given the increasing need for manufacturing companies to take on a global orientation, supply reliability is becoming ever more important. In this context, the term "supply reliability" refers to the sound, realistic planning and coordination of demands and capacities across the entire value added network.At the same time, it means the ability to identify and eliminate disruptions in the supply chain early on in order to avoid production downtimes and costly special measures. As globalization progresses and increasing shares of value added are shifted to suppliers, ensuring a smooth supply of components for production becomes more and more complex. (more…)
