SCM Insights Digitalization is not an end in itself. A commentary Wherever you look, “digital” is THE overriding theme. Digitalization is not particularly new and by no means simply a future scenario for the years 2020 to 2030.No, the digitalization of tasks and processes has been around for quite some time now. And there is still some homework left to be done. Because, unfortunately, the business world is not yet as digital as it could – or should – be. (more…)
SCM Insights Going beyond operational supply chain digitalization Nowadays, most leading companies have EDI interfaces in place to communicate their demands, improve demand visibility, and receive information about shipments. The most advanced ones use cloud platforms, allowing for real-time collaboration with suppliers and other business partners like subcontractors or carriers. It goes without saying, that analytics and big data play an increasing and critical role for companies in all industries.This trend has had a huge impact on stocks reduction and optimization of procurement processes. But it has also increased reliability and provided consistent data. As a result, transparency is not just a concept anymore, but has become reality; and brings with it a common and trusted view and understanding between business partners.Unfortunately, this will not prevent (more…)
Industry News · Inside Siemens–SupplyOn Suppliers Day: Collectively driving digitalization “Help shape the future with us”. This call to action greeted over 60 participants at the first Siemens and SupplyOn Suppliers Day. Together with the German Federal Logistics Association (BVL), the two companies invited participants to share their experience of supply chain digitalization in Freising on May 4th. (more…)
SCM Insights Go or no-go? The business case provides the answer Every supply chain project begins with a close check of its economic efficiency. After all, investments in a new solution should not only pay off, but also lead to noticeable cost reductions over the medium and long term. And it is this savings potential that must be determined in advance - precisely, comprehensibly, and with a solid foundation - because without a specific business case, top management will not provide the necessary budget approval. But what exactly are the decisive factors to calculate the success of a SCM solution? (more…)
SCM Insights · Technology Easy transfer of inspection certificates with the Advance Shipping Notification (ASN) We are frequently approached by customers seeking a solution for transferring quality and production data generated by a supplier as part of the manufacturing and quality assurance processes. As an attachment to SupplyOn's electronic delivery note, the so-called ASN (Advance Shipping Notification) is exactly what they are looking for. Following the transfer, structured electronic certificate data can be seamlessly processed, analyzed and saved. (more…)
SCM Insights · Use Cases Successful supplier rollout in China: Strategic onboarding in the Middle Kingdom January 1, 3:55 a.m. Just back from a New Year's Eve party and full of excitement, I take a look at the Seeburger EDI monitor and press the refresh button again. Then once more. Then again and again. But nothing happens.4:09 a.m. Still nothing. I'm starting to get a little nervous. My customer in Shanghai wanted to go live at 10 a.m. local time. That was nine minutes ago, which seems like an eternity to me.4:13 a.m. Nervously, I press the refresh button on the EDI monitor every 20 seconds. Finally! A delivery instruction and three call-offs. Status: "SUCCESS!" I quickly log into SupplyOn to check if posting is correct and find everything is just as planned. Relieved, I pick up the phone to call my Chinese colleague and tell him about the successful posting. "Liang, the initial messages were booked successfully. Let's go!" (more…)
Use Cases Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH turns to AirSupply to digitalize its supply chain A little over one year ago, Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW) selected SupplyOn’s AirSupply solution to improve the aircraft company’s ordering processes with its most important suppliers.In taking this step, EFW wanted to implement a collaborative ordering process that would enable delivery quantities and dates to be easily and transparently coordinated with its suppliers. Another goal was to improve supplier performance. (more…)
Industry News 600Minutes Supply Chain in Munich: Just where is the supply chain headed? Munich once again played host to a successful event that serves as a very good platform for cross-company business discussions.The 600Minutes Supply Chain conference at The Charles Hotel in Munich brings together specialists from production companies and relevant service providers once a year. The event gives them an opportunity to hear addresses and, above all, have one-on-one discussions (similar to speed dating, naturally with a different goal in mind) about the latest logistics and supply chain developments. (more…)
Industry News · Technology Supplier master data remains an issue in the automotive industry Automobile manufacturers were as conspicuous as never before at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Yet the focus was not on the industry’s traditional attractions, such as design or performance, but on infotainment systems that are integrated in the interior and implemented in the form of flat screens fitted in the cockpit: “The car is the ultimate smartphone on wheels and as such rightfully deserves a place at the world’s largest electronics show,” said Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of CES, in Las Vegas.For IT departments at automobile manufacturers, as well as at suppliers, that means: Interaction with service providers is a growing focus alongside traditional tasks. That’s a challenge that begins with long-familiar issues such as supplier master-data management. (more…)
Industry News · Inside Digital collaboration in the railway industry – optimized with RailSupply Thorsten Fülling, Director of Consulting at SupplyOn AG, gave Privatbahn Magazin #05/2015 an interview on the subject of "Collaboration between suppliers and production companies in the railway industry".Mr Fülling, what are the greatest challenges in the supply chain at present between suppliers and production companies in the railway industry?The biggest challenge for the railway industry stems from the effects of globalization in the procurement markets. The fact that this industry has no generally applicable standards with respect to supply chain processes results in highly complex and variable processes, particularly when purchasing from a global market. Furthermore, the rail industry too has seen the depth of production become considerably smaller in recent years, while the increased division of labour has led to a higher level of interaction and collaboration in the respective processes. Moreover, the railway industry has been forced to raise its productivity due to persistent cost pressure, in order to remain competitive in a future global environment. (more…)
