Benefits Of Supply Chain Solutions

The modern day business today is a global platform that compels organizations, irrespective of its location or primary market base, to consider the world in their competitive strategy analysis. The firms cannot ignore external aspects such as competitive situations, economic trends and technology innovation in other places. Today most organizations are truly becoming global with their supply chain management strategy and are changing their ways in which they used to monitor their operations and logistics practices. Modifications in trade and modernization of transport infrastructures and the competition intensification have upgraded the significance of flow management to new levels.

Supply chain solutions can be described as a set of three or more organizations associated directly with one or more than one of the upstream and downstream flow of goods, services, data and finances from the source to the consumer. It comprises of all the levels involved, indirectly or directly, in catering to a consumer’s demand, it not only comprises the suppliers and manufacturers, but also the warehouses, transporters, retailers and the consumers themselves. Within an enterprise the supply chain comprises of every function included in catering to consumer demand. These functions include components such as:

• New product development
• Marketing
• Operations
• Distribution
• Finance
• Customer service

Therefore, it is essential to partner with a supply chain consultingfirm so that you can leverage its experience and expertise. Companies specializing in supply chain solutions help you to minimize your operational expenses, enhance the speed, elasticity and bring down the level of risks.

If you have assessed your company’s supply chain and evaluating its weaknesses, strengths and want to see the scopes of possible solutions and improvements then its best to invest in a supply chain solution. Today service providers of reverse logistics have come with up advanced supply chain solutions with a supply chain consulting team that helps companies to reshape and restructure their operations in order to increase speed, efficiency and the flexibility. Some of these service providers specialize in last-mile interventions that help in adjusting over-offshore supply chains. Owing to the fact that every business has its own unique need and demands, the supply chain consulting team has the expertise to customize the systems that is provided rather than taking on a “cookie clutter” approach.

Service providers of supply chain solutions work by understanding the business requirements first and provide solutions that are practical and attainable. The service providers will straight away not suggest you to re-establish your operation but rather suggest the much needed solutions. 

Importance of Systems Integration and CTO Services

Systems integration and Configure to Order services is a necessity in today’s age where electromobility, energy efficiency and technological advancements play a significant role in determining the kind of products to be manufactured. Let’s understand the two terms before going further into the topic.

Systems Integration

Wikipedia defines Systems Integrations “the bringing together of the component subsystems into one system and ensuring that the subsystems function together as a system.” In systems integration often existing disparate systems are integrated. Since it is the interaction between subsystems, systems integration can be considered as adding value or capabilities to a system. Though carried out wholly or partially, systems integration helps in bringing together different subsystems performing different functions.

Configure to Order

Configure-To-Order (CTO) is “a method of manufacturing which allows the service provider or the client to select a base product and configure all the variable parameters associated with that product.”

Systems Integration and CTO service providers have modeled their services after some of the most successful systems in the electronics industry. They have extensive experience and expertise in handling 1-to-1 configuration, low-volume high-mix, or high-volume low-mix orders, which the customers can securely monitor and manage the manufacturing process online in real-time. Since they can accommodate various production approaches, including KanBan, Min/Max, VMI (vendor managed inventory), or multiple modules designed to fit together seamlessly, they are able to provide a tailor-made program that meets customer needs. Here is a look at some of the integrated supply chain system integration and configuration services that they provide.

• System Integration, Assembly and Test (build-to-order or build-to-stock)
• Turnkey Contract Manufacturing
• Consignment Contract Manufacturing
• On-line Management, Control, Inquiry and Reporting
• Rack Integration services

Their rack and stack integration services especially data center rack integration services involve integration of as few as ten servers into each rack, or build out a 1,000-server super computing cluster. They can configure, build, install, deliver, and provide functional testing to provide their customers with seamless deployment of large-scale cloud-based solutions. They can offer network interface configuration & testing, campus installation & on-site professional services, functional testing, cable management and custom detail labeling. The following is a list of the key components of a leading data center rack integration solution provider.

• Material planning and procurement
• Network cabling, server components, customer supplied materials or a mixed model
• Extensive, automated information captured including asset id’s, MAC addresses, and serial numbers
• Complete rack integration, imaging and testing
• Direct access to  ultra-strong, ultra-light rack lineup

Thus, partnering with such supply chain solutionproviders provides a respite for enterprises struggling with systems integration and CTO issues.

Other Links – data center integration

Excellent Supply Base Management Solution Infos.

In any in a dynamic market, effective supply chain management is of top priority. With its significance to business growth being emphasized time and again, it is the one that can give companies the much-needed edge over their competitors. Supply chain management includes the planning, execution, control, and monitoring of supply chain activities with the goal of building a competitive infrastructure, synchronizing supply with demand.

Until recently, most companies were keen on improving their supply chain performance, but always encountered difficulties due to issues associated with the supply base. Playing a crucial role in the enterprise, supply base management is a systematic, holistic, strategic approach to planning, developing, and managing the supplier base. It not only helps enhances global supply chain liquidity and helps maintain a record but also allows the identification of new suppliers, evaluation of existing suppliers, improvement  supplier performance and supplier portfolio.

The importance of robust supply base management under demand uncertainty requires an understanding of the benefits associated with a contractor having an optimal number of suppliers. Effective supply base management measures and develops supplier performance in a proactive way by mixing and collaborating tools, thereby reducing the risk and while also ensuring that the suppliers are in the best in class.

There are a lot of criteria used by leading companies to screen suppliers for business. Companies reduce their supplier bases to reduce costs and forge closer relationships with the remaining preferred suppliers to share cost savings, who usually increase business volumes in exchange for lower unit pricing. This results in lower total costs and inventories, improved working capital and better products. The key benefit is a reduction in a contractor’s total cost of supply base management. However, few supplier-optimizing models incorporate the perspectives of both demand uncertainty and supply base management costs.

The supply base managementsolution that you choose must be able to abreast of market changes and respond rapidly with new options and offer full access to inventory levels. It must also provide

·   Material Planning and Procurement

·   Domestic and Offshore Sourcing

·   Turnkey and Consigned Materials

·   Supplier Qualification and Certification

·   Vendor Managed Inventory

·   Ken Ban and other models

·   Full Materials Lifecycle Management

Most companies evaluate suppliers through certification, audits and other reviews prior to entering into partnerships or any business arrangements. Look for a scalable and flexible global supply chain can help to decrease costs and can make certain that insufficient resources are used to their most advantageous limit.

Learn more about : Rack and stack

Trends and Features of SCM Solutions

Today in this era of globalization, where organizations are partnering and collaborating with other companies regularly in different parts of the world, the capability to monitor the supply chain cycle efficiently has become necessary to carry on business, as per a report in the Financial Times. Enterprises are putting added importance of supply chain solutions, for instance B2B business integration, to foster collaboration with both customers and partners. 

According to Mr. Rick Blasgen, CEO of Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals “Supply chain logistics used to be viewed as a cost-cutting mechanism; now they are being used as growth drivers to open up new markets, particularly emerging markets”. As per the other marketing reports, the factors that have speeded up the use of supply chains and the requirement to manage them comprises the high accessibility of internet connectivity and the increase of global markets. 

Recently, a survey conducted by Aberdeen Group that was done in 62 small and medium scale businesses, revealed that 75 percent opined that they view B2B as an essential component of the organization’s future growth. The report concentrates on business integration solutions for enabling ongoing maintenance, trading partner recruitment and other performance measurement associated practices. 

With advanced supply chain management solutions companies are able to package goods for installing and store shelves, ship the goods directly to the distributor, retailer or to any other destination. Furthermore, they can fill orders directly and track the progress right from the inventory to the delivery phase. All this can be monitored and managed from your desktop. Other services offered by the SCM solutions include:

• Material Planning and Procurement
• Turnkey Materials
• Consigned Materials
• Domestic and Offshore Sourcing
• Supplier Qualification and Certification
• Vendor Managed Inventory
• Kan/Ban
• Lifecycle Management
• Web Based Inquiry and Reporting

Simultaneously, innovative SCM solutions helps in configuring your product from the electro-mechanical assembly (box build) as well as a retail pack out i.e. RF sealing, shrink-wrap, clamshells and many more. This is done in order to custom labeling in order to ensure a comprehensive supply chain management. All these activities are managed by a group of trained professionals who make sure that you deliver only the best quality products every time to the consumers. Furthermore, these solutions also offer a complete reverse logistics solutions, right from the labeling, serial number capture to dock merge phase and all of this is personalized to cater to your requirements. 

Read more on – order fulfillment

Services Offered By Supply Base Management Programs

Suppliers play a crucial role in assisting manufacturers to attain accelerated performance. Effective supplier base management can help in taking costs out of the supply chain. In various industries the management of suppliers can result in as much as 60 to 80 percent of the manufacturing expenses. However, cost reduction is not the only advantage. There are other benefits as well, that includes end-to-end improvements in service and product quality by implementing instant and timely delivery systems, quality enhancement programs and electronic data exchange. Simultaneously, process and product designs can be improved by including chosen suppliers in the early stages of new product development. Furthermore, a streamlines supply base management enables partnerships to be established with the remaining suppliers.

Keeping in mind all the above mentioned aspects, today companies need efficient supply base management solutions that will offer them a wide selection of material models, such as full consignment programs, full turnkey programs or a combination of the two. The main objective in obtaining this is to stay ahead of the market changes and fluctuations and respond fast with the new options.

Today leading supply chain solutions providers have introduced innovative supply base management programs that offer the organizations and other end users complete access to inventory levels through their proprietary online interface round the clock. Selected supply base management services include the following:

• Material planning and procurement

• Domestic and offshore sourcing

• Turnkey and consigned materials

• Supplier qualification along with certification

• Vendor managed inventory

• Kan Ban and other models

• Complete materials life cycle management

Leading market players of supply base management solution with their partnerships and associations cover a worldwide spectrum of suppliers and industry verticals. These associations are well established and ensure best cost quality and delivery on time. Furthermore, they have the capacity to help in an organization’s engineering staff in component qualification.
However, selecting an appropriate supply base management solution provider is a crucial task. Prior to partnering with one it is essential that companies analyze their requirements and budget capacity. Post this they can select a solution provider who can cater to their requirements, suit their budget limits and has a favorable market feedback from other clients and end users.

Also read more about : Rack and stack , reverse logistics

Reduce Costs and Add Efficiencies with Reverse Logistics

Reverse logistics, as the term implies, is the reverse of logistics. The Council of Logistics Management defines logistics as “the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods, services, and related information from point of origin to point of consumption for the purpose of conforming to customer requirements.” Reverse logistics would mean the same except the fact that it operates in reverse. Hence,reverse logistics can be defined as “the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods, services, and related information from the point of consumption to the point of origin for the purpose of recapturing value or proper disposal.”

Today reverse logistics is an important part of supply chain management. There was a time when reverse logistics was considered a sheer waste of time, money, and efforts. However, today it has evolved to become an important entity in the world economy. This transformation was the result of the realization that reverse logistics could reduce costs, add efficiencies, and improve the customer experience. Here is a look at some of the advantages of reverse logistics.

·         Retrieve value out of defective parts by salvaging and refurbishing defective equipment’s and parts

·         Create scrap value for the enterprise by recycling packaging and defective materials

·         Recognize out of date revisions and components immediately

·         Save the cost of warehousing stock that has gone stale

·         Transform old assets into valuable investments by remarketing complete systems, major components, and  achieve partial or full recycling

·         Discover reusable solutions for unutilized assets

·         Monetize depreciating assets

·         Extract more value from used or returned goods compared to the costs involved in the original supply chain

·         Improve customer satisfaction and enhance customer retention by addressing issues associated with product  returns effectively

Today enterprises have understood the hidden value of returned assets and the benefits of streamlining return, repair, and product reallocation processes to the enterprise’s bottom line. However, instead of executing logistics activities (both reverse and forward) within the enterprise itself, enterprises can outsource some or all of the activities to the industry experts. These logistics solution providers offer a variety of services such as

·         Order Management & Supply Base Management

·         Business-to-business (B2B) contract management

·         Customer care, both call center and on-line support solutions

·         eCommerce Solutions ,Fulfillment and Distribution

·         Transportation Management

·         Global Logistics ,Warehouse/Inventory Control

·         Retail Configuration (hardware and software pack out: retail box, RF sealing clamshell packaging, blister pack, shrink wrap, etc.)

·         Systems Integration, Assembly and Test (build-to-order or build-to-stock)

·         Kitting (build-to-order or build-to-stock)

Entrusting the industry experts with reverse logistics responsibilities helps enterprises to focus on their core competencies.

Also read about : evaluation system

Deploy Effective Demo Loaner Management Program for Great Product Demos

 

In today’s competitive business environment, customers believe completely in ‘seeing is believing’. No amount of buzzwords and hype can induce them to make the purchase unless substantiated with real evidence. Hence, today the concept of “Try before you buy” is quite popular among marketers and customers. This time tested marketing mantra helps marketers to convince customers of a product’s effectiveness.

 

* Product demonstration or evaluation systemis a powerful marketing technique to

 

* Show customers the actual features and capabilities of a product/products

 

* Allow customers to see, feel and use a product/products

 

* Capture the imagination of the customers

 

* Convince the customers about product benefits

 

* Persuade the customers to actually buy the product/products

 

However, a product demonstration is not an easy affair as it sounds to be. It involves significant logistical and operational challenges such as loss of demo equipment, monitoring problems, inadequately tested equipment, delayed delivery or mismanaged returns, and so on. This can lead to not just cost issues but also affect an enterprise’s prospects very badly. For instance, lack of proper management can negatively influence the potential sale of the product. However proper demo loanermanagement or field asset management comes at a price. The field engineers would have to spend a considerable amount of their valuable time in managing demo equipment, which could have otherwise been spent in front of customers convincing them about a product.

 

Therefore, what enterprises need is a world class and industry-leading demo loaner management solution that helps enterprises in building a customized program that suit enterprise needs, supported by world-class system integration, operations, warehouse, logistics, and distribution infrastructure. The following are some of the advantages of collaborating with a solution provider having expertise in demo loaner management.

 

Advanced Tracking Technology

 

The advanced tracking technology helps to reduce equipment loss by up to 80%.

 

Web-based Program Management software

 

The software helps to track Assets throughout all phases. 

 

Extensive Support Team

 

It includes demo-loaner help desk, logistics management, equipment test and upgrade, demo pool management, demo pool turns optimization. 

 

Managed calibration and update/upgrades

 

Trained technicians on-site, if needed. 

 

Reduce Costs and Add Efficiencies

 

Saves organization the cost of time, money, and effort in setting up a complete supply chain solutions.

 

Thus, an effective demo loaner program helps marketers to get their demo products into customers’ hands faster, cost-effectively, and more reliably. Besides that, such a solution also ensures that the marketers get them back to make the product ready for the next demo faster and more economically.

 

Read on – supply chain solution

 

 

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