Supply Chain Management
Planning, performing and controlling operations in a supply chain or network, a logistic network, primarily aimed at satisfying customers with maximum efficiency. SCM means managing all movements and warehousing of raw materials, semi-finished and finished products from the point of delivery to the point of product consumption. SCM successfully solves the following problems:
- Configuration of a distributed network: the number and location of suppliers, production capacities, wholesale depots, warehouses and customers;
- Product distribution strategy: centralized or decentralized, direct supplies or docking, pull or push marketing strategy, logistic services provided by a third party;
- Information: integrating systems and processes across the supply chain to separate valuable information, such as enquiries, forecasting, inventarisation and transportation;
- Inventory management: amount and location of inventory, including raw materials, semi-finished and finished products.