Definition: Supply Chain Management is the discipline related to the management of the planning, manufacturing and operations necessary to bring a product to the market place, from the sourcing of materials through to the delivery of the completed product.
The deciding factor in the success or failure of any given product is in the efficiency with which it can be brought to the market place. If the revenue derived from the sale of a product does not create a required profit margin over the cost of its production then that product is doomed to failure, and the health of the enterprise that manufactures the product will suffer.
supply chain management softwareWith that in mind it is clear that the most important factor in the life cycle of a product is the budget and time frame within which it is manufactured. The discipline of supply chain management and the ranges of software used to control it have been developed in order to make this cycle more efficient and cost effective. The field is led by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)
Aspects of Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management is a complex field encompassing every process involved in manufacturing a product. Supply chain management software assists enterprises in controlling streamlining the process through several logistical areas.
Customer Service Management: Customer relations provide information to the manufacturer on the level of demand for the product, and also provide feedbackto the customer on promised delivery schedules.
Supply chain management software provides reporting modules to track both current demand and answer a range of ‘what if’ questions to assist in the prediction of future demand depending on changes in strategy.
Procurement Process: Strategies are developed with suppliers to ensure that materials can be provided on time to meet both current demand and predicted
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