Exam 14: Supply Chain Technology Managing Information Flows

Event management systems monitor the supply chain for events that are problems or exceptions, such as a shortage of parts at a manufacturing location or the breakdown of a truck delivering an important order.

Recent data shows that sales of supply chain management and procurement software is on the rise in the U.S.-a 12.5 percent increase in 2018 alone.

Now that Henderson Air, a manufacturer of heating and air conditioning units, has moved to a just-in-time production process, the firm expects its suppliers to provide inventory replenishment orders within 24 hours. This is an example of which quality that enables process excellence?

Identify the four primary categories of supply chain software and discuss their primary functions.

Unless the technology components of an SCIS are properly linked, firms will not be able to capitalize on the benefits of systems integration, real-time data access, or process optimization.

SCIS software selection is relatively straightforward as the choices have been simplified.

Explain how SCM supports both strategic and tactical planning, as well as routine decision making. Include examples to support your answer.

Review the methods used by supply chain managers to mitigate SCIS implementation risks.

Information is useful only if it can drive effective decision making.

Before selecting and implementing new software, managers must conduct a needs assessment, which includes addressing the links between effective business processes, appropriate technology, and supply chain performance.

Technological capabilities ultimately determine the success or failure of SCIS, rather than the technology users.

Summarize supplier relationship management software and customer relationship management software. In what ways are these two categories of software similar?

RFID tags are growing in popularity in retail stores as a means of tracking inventory and point-of-sale activities.

ERP systems:

The purpose behind digitized SCM networks is to collect data from disparate, siloed sources, cleanse the data, and aggregate it into a single version of the truth that reflects what is actually happening in the supply chain.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are internal applications that enable firms to monitor inventory levels.

A supply chain information system (SCIS) allows managers to monitor supply chain conditions and respond quickly with corrective actions to avoid problem escalation.

Traditional linear supply chains are gradually being replaced by an integrated supply chain ecosystem. Explain what this means, including at least three key benefits of this evolution.

It has been said that information is the lifeblood of business, driving effective decisions and action. Quality of information is less and less important, given advances in technology.

Spreadsheets and database software no longer have a place in SCIS as newer tools have supplanted them.