Supply chain network
Encyclopedia
Due to the rapid advancement of technology such as pervasive or ubiquitous wireless and internet networks, connective product marking technologies like RFID and emerging standards for the use of these defining specific locations using Global Location Number
(s), the basic supply chain
is rapidly evolving into what is known as a Supply Chain Network.
Supply chains and supply networks both describe the flow and movement of materials & information, by linking organisations together to serve the end-customer.
‘Network’ describes a more complex structure, where organisations can be cross-linked and there are two-way exchanges between them; ‘chain’ describes a simpler, sequential set of links (Harland et al., 2001)
Physical locations included in a Supply Chain Network can be manufacturing plants, storage warehouses, carrier crossdocks, major distribution centres, ports, intermodal terminals whether owned by your company, your suppliers, your transport carrier, a third-party logistics provider
, a retail store or your end customer.
Transportation modes that operate within a Supply Chain Network can include the many different types of trucks, trains for boxcar or intermodal
unit movement, container ships or cargo planes.
The many systems which can be utilized to manage and improve a Supply Chain Network include Order Management Systems, Warehouse Management System
, Transportation Management Systems, Strategic Logistics Modeling, Inventory Management Systems, Replenishment Systems, Supply Chain Visibility, Optimization Tools and more.
Emerging technologies and standards such as the RFID and the GS1
Global Standards are now making it possible to automate these Supply Chain Networks in a real time manner making them more efficient than the simple supply chain
of the past.
Global Location Number
The Global Location Number is part of the GS1 systems of standards. It is a simple tool used to identify a location and can identify locations uniquely where required.The GS1 Identification Key used to identify physical locations or legal entities...
(s), the basic supply chain
Supply chain
A supply chain is a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer. Supply chain activities transform natural resources, raw materials and components into a finished product that is delivered to...
is rapidly evolving into what is known as a Supply Chain Network.
Supply chains and supply networks both describe the flow and movement of materials & information, by linking organisations together to serve the end-customer.
‘Network’ describes a more complex structure, where organisations can be cross-linked and there are two-way exchanges between them; ‘chain’ describes a simpler, sequential set of links (Harland et al., 2001)
Origins of the concept
All organizations have or can purchase the components to build a supply chain network, it is the collection of physical locations, transportation vehicles and supporting systems through which the products and services your firm markets are managed and ultimately delivered.Physical locations included in a Supply Chain Network can be manufacturing plants, storage warehouses, carrier crossdocks, major distribution centres, ports, intermodal terminals whether owned by your company, your suppliers, your transport carrier, a third-party logistics provider
Third-party logistics provider
A third-party logistics provider is a firm that provides service to its customers of outsourced logistics services for part, or all of their supply chain management functions....
, a retail store or your end customer.
Transportation modes that operate within a Supply Chain Network can include the many different types of trucks, trains for boxcar or intermodal
Intermodal freight transport
Intermodal freight transport involves the transportation of freight in an intermodal container or vehicle, using multiple modes of transportation , without any handling of the freight itself when changing modes. The method reduces cargo handling, and so improves security, reduces damages and...
unit movement, container ships or cargo planes.
The many systems which can be utilized to manage and improve a Supply Chain Network include Order Management Systems, Warehouse Management System
Warehouse management system
A warehouse management system, or WMS, is a key part of the supply chain and primarily aims to control the movement and storage of materials within a warehouse and process the associated transactions, including shipping, receiving, putaway and picking...
, Transportation Management Systems, Strategic Logistics Modeling, Inventory Management Systems, Replenishment Systems, Supply Chain Visibility, Optimization Tools and more.
Emerging technologies and standards such as the RFID and the GS1
GS1
Founded in 1977, GS1 is an international not-for-profit association dedicated to the development and implementation of global standards and solutions to improve the efficiency and visibility of supply and demand chains globally and across multiple sectors...
Global Standards are now making it possible to automate these Supply Chain Networks in a real time manner making them more efficient than the simple supply chain
Supply chain
A supply chain is a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer. Supply chain activities transform natural resources, raw materials and components into a finished product that is delivered to...
of the past.