Supply Chain Fundamental Rethinking

I like the new concept. http://www.scmr.com/article/image-based_barcode_readers_transforming_the_logistics_industry/ You need to fill in the details to download the paper

Much has been always discussed on the importance of supply chain visibility & collaboration. One more in the pool of such discussions although with a technology bias http://www.scdigest.com/ASSETS/NEWSVIEWS/11-03-21-1.php?cid=4332&ctype=content

The impact of the Japan natural disaster on supply chains of large organisations. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/business/20supply.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

Supply Chains evolve. Practices, Processes & Infrastructure have to adapt to new world realities. It was HLL a couple of decades back who made a shift from bottles to sachets which made a new supply chain evolve. Heart of the supply chain is the goal to meet the customer need. Meet it efficiently & effectively. The recent visit to Big Bazaar initially made me feel that the Nano is a free gift on some purchases...a typical retailers strategy to attract customers. Little did i realize that a new supply chain is laid down where a retailer is a channel partner of an auto company. Perfectly discontinuous thoughts leading into a radical action. The link below from economic times is a confirmation that "Indigenous Management Practices" are needed to be local with a global perspective..  http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/services/retailing/big-bazaar-helps-tata-nano-drive-sales/articleshow/7714901.cms Ever heard of a retail outlet selling a car? Gue...

A country for long gained reputation for management principles & practices which changed the global landscape for Supply Chain. It produces worlds 19% of all technology solutions, 20% of all semi-conductors that the globe consumes (my gut feel is apart from food items, we need chips in every single product!). Maruti in India is carrying 300 - 350 units of the newly launched Kizashi & rest all is in Japan...  The global supply chains will take time to appreciate the impact & post the analysis devise strategies for absorbing future shocks. The Reuters article offers initial analysis of the impact of the Earthquake &  Tsunami in Japan  on Global Supply Chains. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/14/us-japan-quake-supplychain-idUSTRE72D1FQ20110314

Organisations exist because there is an unmet customer demand. The value chain of an organisation is viable only if it meets the customer needs. An ill organised  & fragmented supply chain leads to dissatisfied customer experience of the organisation. The alignment of supply chain to meet the customer needs of time, cost, quality & service is the basis of competition. The article offers a good insight into the alignment parameters for Supply Chain to meet the real customer needs. http://www.scdigest.com/ASSETS/FIRSTTHOUGHTS/11-03-03.php?cid=4272

Supply chain managers face ongoing pressure from their customers and from regulators to reduce carbon emissions and run "greener" operations. With WalMart, the world's largest purchasing organisation, making it mandatory for suppliers to go green, the impetus towards sustainability has gained momentum. Impression persists in many organizations that implementing more sustainable processes and technologies will be costly. Is that the ground reality?  Accenture in its research report indicates that going green is not costly. The study identifies the performance characteristics of supply chain organizations that are achieving high performance in both cost effectiveness and customer service along-with their performance against key sustainability measures. Follow the link to read the synopsis of the report http://www.accenture.com/us-en/Pages/insight-sustainable-supply-chain-summary.aspx