What You Should Know About Supply Chain Optimization

الاثنين، 5 سبتمبر 2016

By Rebecca Jones


The supply chain is a term that refers to the process by which products, information and financial resources are moved from the supplier to the end consumer. In many cases, there is a varying number of intermediaries such as manufactures, retailers and wholesalers. This system has to be managed in optimized fashion so as to maximize the returns to the business. Supply chain optimization is something that every business needs to take seriously.

There are various factors that determine how complex a supply chain will turn out. They include the specific type of business, the process that is involved to move the product from the supplier to the target consumer, the size of the market and its geographical location and the type of technology that is used to make all these possible. The tremendous growth in technology has made it easier for all the players to collaborate easily.

Optimization uses various tools and processes to ensure that the operations of the system are as efficient as possible. Such will include, for example, minimization of operation costs such as those related to manufacturing, transportation and distribution. The objective is to deliver products to the end consumers at the lowest possible cost and to generate the highest profit. A number of mathematical modelling techniques that are run by computer software are usually used to achieve this.

Mobile-based technology has been widely adopted by many of the players in supply chains. The technology has helped increase the efficiency in the processes. Some of the areas in which it has been most useful include the facilitation of field sales, provision of direct services and in marketing. The technology makes it possible to transmit important product information (content, origin and manufacturing methodology) to all the players.

An important principle in optimization is predetermination of demand. This has to be done as accurately as possible by considering historical demand and predicting future trends. The approach can be used for single items or for aggregated data such as groups of consumers, types of merchandise and so on. With the information obtained, the business can determine the stock levels to be maintained both for products with erratic demand as well as those with stable demand.

Before embarking on the exercise, you need to analyze your strengths as a company. Results are likely to reveal areas that you perform better than others. For the areas in which you may not be doing so well, consider outsourcing. There are many firms that are specialized in one or two tasks on the supply system hence are likely to have greater efficiency than a company that has to handle everything.

Bear in mind that the process of optimization is fairly long and frustrating. As you plan to make changes to the process strive to have a global mindset. This means that you should consider all the aspects of the chain even as you plan on making changes on one or a few areas. For instance, if you are going to make changes in manufacturing, other areas such as marketing, transportation and distribution will also be affected.

When a supply chain is optimized, there are a number of advantages that the business will have. Among them is the fact that the operation costs will be minimized and this will increase the profit margin of the organization. Another major advantage is better collaboration among all the players translating into faster inventory clearance.




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