WinWholesale’s Leap to Supply Chain Innovator

from crmbuyer.com

Implementation is where the rubber meets the road. It’s the part of the process with the highest risk and the highest visibility. The results of all previous activities including analyzing operational data, identifying metrics, benchmarking and designing improvements, all come into play here.

When customers complain or praise a company’s products and service, they’re often unwittingly condemning or lauding the organization’s supply chain operations. These operations are typically behind the scenes, but efficient or inefficient supply chain operations can significantly influence the organization’s overall competitiveness.

Bringing Navy ERP to Life

from military-information-technology.com

When compared to the private sector, the Navy may appear to be a Johnny-come-lately when it comes to implementing and utilizing enterprise resource planning (ERP) software systems.

In comparison with the other services, however, the Navy has been a pioneer in bringing comprehensive software solutions to a wide range of functions. The Navy’s effort took a major step forward this fall, as the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) went “live” on the Navy ERP system. Further expansions are planned, beginning next spring with the Space and Naval Warfare System Command (SPAWAR).

Supply Chain Rules

from blackenterprise.com

By Kossoff, Leslie

In the first of a series on how transforming the supply chain can cut costs and drive up profits, Leslie Kossoff explains what SCM means and why it matters In the world of buzzword bingo, supply chain management (SCM) is always a big point scorer. The problem is, while too many executives, managers and business owners know it quite well as a buzzword, they know very little about what SCM actually is, how it works and how it affects their businesses.

A lump of coal in the RFID stocking

from mmh.com

Think RFID is going to explode in the supply chain in 2008?

Think again, suggests Michael J. Liard, research director for RFID & contactless technologies at ABI Research.

“When I look at the way the RFID market is shaping up, what I see is the continuation of a lot of pilot activity,” says Liard. “Closed loop asset management applications have been growing and will continue to plod along. But when you talk about the kind of high volume applications in the retail supply chain that everyone has been waiting for, that isn’t going to happen in 2008.”

That is just one of the predictions in “What’s Not Going to Happen in 2008,” an annual report from ABI. Rather than predict what might happen next year, ABI’s analysts survey the market for over-hyped technologies to predict what isn’t going to happen in areas that include consumer electronics, digital media, Wi-Fi, mobile handsets, wireless networks including WiMAX, telematics and automotive safety.

Five Reasons Your Company Should Join a GPO

from pr.com

Corporate United, the leading North American group purchasing organization (GPO), offers the following tips to educate company decision makers about the benefits of joining a group purchasing organization and how it can add to their bottom line.

Five Reasons Your Company Should Join a GPO

1. Simplified Purchasing Efforts – With in-house commodity knowledge and strategic sourcing expertise, GPOs can increase process consistencies and efficiencies immediately, saving your company time and money.

2008 Global Trade and Supply Chain Predictions

from sdcexec.com

When considering the global trade environment in 2008 there are a number potential issues looming that could disrupt global supply chains, sourcing strategies and the flow of working capital. If not properly addressed, importers and exporters may face significant unexpected costs and increased disruptions to their supply chain. But the news for 2008 isn’t all bad. A number of promising opportunities exist as well.

TR Cutler Profiles Digital Kanban And Value Stream Mapping

from tmcnet.com

In the current issue of The Machinist magazine, leading manufacturing journalist, Thomas R. Cutler, describes the current nature of Value Stream Mapping in conjunction with Demand Driven Supply Chain lean tools.

According to Stephen Parker, CEO of Datacraft Solutions, �We recently tracked an automotive manufacturing industry client who recognized a 50 per cent decrease in inventory levels over six months ($16 million to $8 million); order of magnitude increase in inventory turns from 10 to 105; 60�70 per cent of on-hand inventory is 4�5 working days of demand; significant operational benefits; 5000 scans a day with zero expedites over six months; and doubled revenue while realizing these benefits.�

Supplying Ford

from prminds.com

The OEM sourcing policy guide provides a unique insight into vehicle manufacturer sourcing strategies, and is an essential tool for program and customer screening by suppliers.

Supplying Ford provides insights from other suppliers and statements from the vehicle manufacturers themselves about the focus of their current purchasing policy, and how that affects other parts of their product development and manufacturing strategy, as well as providing an independent perspective on the supplier base’s experience of those policies in reality.

IBM to Extend Services Relationship With Unilever

from foxbusiness.com

IBM today announced they have signed an agreement with Unilever to transform and manage strategic sourcing and procurement operations for the company’s Latin American operations.

The five-year agreement is an expansion of an existing global agreement in which IBM manages Unilever’s procurement operations in North America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Turkey and for Unilever Central Information Technology

Microsoft set to roll out GenNext retail tools

from business-standard.com

Microsoft India is in advanced talks with 10 leading Indian retailers to roll out its next-generation automated retail tools.

The latest from the IT giant firm will offer next-generation automated tools such as mobile billing and smart supply chain management.

These tools will help differentiate a neighborhood retail joint from the large format retail space in the mall. Their usage will add value to the shopping experience, said Bill Gonzales, general manager, (worldwide retail and hospitality industries), Microsoft.