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 e-invoicing begins with the order Today, everybody is talking about Industry 4.0 and the digitalization of the supply chain – and yet the majority of invoices are still being sent in paper form or in unstructured formats that cannot easily be computerized.Many companies wishing to implement an e-invoicing solution focus solely on the invoicing process instead of considering the process as a whole, from order to payment. (more…)
SCM Insights Attractive side-effect of using SupplyOn: Optimized internal cooperation SupplyOn aims to optimize the various processes with suppliers in the supply chain – in other words, cross-company collaboration. But following its successful introduction, more and more companies discover that SupplyOn also has a very positive effect on processes between internal departments – thus improving not only cross-company but also internal collaboration. Hence a more than desirable side-effect. (more…)
SCM Insights Industry 4.0 – use the potential for success today! There’s no doubt about it: Industry 4.0 – frequently also referred to as the Internet of Things – will become the dominant issue of the next few years. But the subject is full of pitfalls. On the one hand, it is obvious that players must act quickly in order not to be left behind and lose market shares. On the other hand, it is not clear exactly what has to be done. Industry, research and politics are still struggling to find a definition of the subject and the necessary standards. Many companies also fear that implementing Industry 4.0 concepts will require extremely high investments.Some very pragmatic and low-cost approaches already exist, such as those established in the automotive industry, which already link many thousands of companies to each other. This can be the first step for companies in their approaching this subject and in quickly achieving initial successes in terms of increasing efficiency and cost savings. (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 · Technology Industry 4.0, M2M and the Internet of Things and Services in the automotive industry: The next generation of e-business? Many articles today deal with Industry 4.0 and communication between machines and production facilities across company boundaries.In the related area of the Internet of Things and Services, key players in the automotive industry are hard at work describing application models intended to provide added value, in particular for road users. In terms of information technology, the trends are all about triggering activities through the transfer of data — activities intended to make daily company life as well as daily mobility easier, safer and more pleasant. But just what do these buzz words really mean? (more…)
SCM Insights · Use Cases Continental Automotive leads the way: Full control of inbound transport management Do you have full control of your inbound freight—even before the forwarder has been actually commissioned?Do you know the actual volumes on your individual supplier and plant routes? Do you also know the available service levels and forwarders for these volumes?Do you have streamlined processes in place for checking freight invoices or possibly even a self-billing invoice process for freight costs? Are you able to break down your freight costs and track them to individual materials? Do you know what materials are in which transport and the current location of each transport? Do you have all this in a single system? (more…)
SCM Insights · Use Cases Success factors when introducing a global transport management organization The successful use of a transport management system (TMS) requires an operations model – one that takes a global approach to establishing and controlling global activities in the area of transport management and includes the organization, processes and IT. Without an operations concept like this, any savings resulting from network optimization projects, the introduction of a TMS or the retendering of freight contracts quickly evaporate. (more…)
SCM Insights · Use Cases Mitigating supply risks: Integrating suppliers and transportation service providers using the SupplyOn notification portal to ensure process reliability When it comes to procurement and logistics, all business enterprises at the global level are faced with similar challenges. Procurement and material supply processes are becoming more complex, yet at the same time inventory costs have to be reduced while improving material handling.In order to achieve effective, sustainable improvements in this environment, precisely coordinated, mutually agreed collaboration between all inbound supply chain partners is an absolute must. You must define and codify processes with your suppliers and transportation service providers to minimize supply chain risks.You should ask yourself the following questions: (more…)
