Concepts, methods and tools supporting supply chain integration

2 Concepts, methods and tools supporting supply chain integration 

Supply chain process integration is an initiative that requires a specific amount of time, considerable commitment from all participants and their competence. A series of solutions is used during integration, which may be classed in three groups, i.e.  

The effectiveness of the solutions specified largely depends on skilful selection and application, and this is determined by the time, competences and social capital at hand. 

After this discussion of the practical dimension of supply chain integration, it may be concluded that at each stage of integration, supporting concepts, methods and tools are used. The concepts may be adapted more precisely to the time and area of integration, and the methods and tools are of a universal nature. 

SCM - Supply Chain Management S OP - Sales and Operations Planning VMI - Vendor Managed Inventory CPFR - Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment ECR - Efficient Consumer Response Z - Purchasing in a single company 

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