Information supply chain applications

Angeles, R., 2005. Rfld technologies Supply-chain applications and implementation issues. Information Systems Management 22 l), 51-65. 

Further evolution of supply chain management information systems strongly depends upon the success of the service-oriented architecture, which becomes more influential as more vendors provide functionality of their enterprise and supply chain applications as services. 

Angles R (2005) RFID technologies supply-chain applications and implementation issues. Inform Syst Manag 22 51-65... 

Chapters 22 and 23 described supply chain applications and the work of the Supply-Chain Council in promoting supply chain information integration. Here, we point to ways to use the capabilities of these systems to reduce supply chain cost and cycle times. James Morehouse points out that, for many, the tools are already available. How to use them "to extend the enterprise" is the challenge. 

This chapter provides a practical guide to selecting software for supply chain applications. We described several of the major applications in Chapter 22. Chapter 28 describes innovations we expect to see in the use of information in SCM. 

The second company, SC-ASP, proposes that Bell pay a subscription fee on a monthly basis for SC-ASP to host Bell s supply chain applications on SC-ASP s machines. Bell employees will access information and analysis via a web browser. Information will be fed automatically from the ASP servers to the Bell servers whenever necessary. Bell wiU continue to pay the monthly fee for the software, but all maintenance will be performed by SC-ASP. 

Kulkarni [9] and Tempelmeier [11] contain applications of stochastic methods in supply chain management. Rinne [6] is always helpful for quick information about the many common used density functions and the relations between them. 

Neuhaus U, Gunther HO (2006) Development of a reactive scheduling system for application in the process industry, In Botta-Genoulaz V (ed) ILS2006, Proceedings of the First International Conference on Information Systems, Logistics and Supply Chain. Lyon... 

The political requirement within Europe, that the industry should be responsible for the assessment of the 30,000 substances currently on the market and their applications is in line with the voluntary commitment of responsible care by the chemicals industry. Implementation of this -commitment has so far failed because many users of chemical products have not complied with it. The REACH system proposed by the EU Commission would create a regulative framework for structuring responsibility and information flow along the supply chain, in a binding marmer for the first time. The commercial institutions should respond to this state initiative. 

The data held within marketing and supply applications are key inputs into the efficiency of the supply chain and provide the vital link that connects Information Technology to the physical world of raw materials, intermediate stock, finished inventory, business processes, and people. What is done with that data — how data are collected, processed, communicated, stored, or otherwise manipulated, determines their true value to any organization as Information Technology takes its place as an enabler for efficient enterprise coordination. 

As consumers of ERP systems, manufacturers and their trading partners face the risk of being stranded when their systems do not interoperate. The lack of interoperability in manufacturing supply chains can create significant costs (Brunnermeier and Meutin 1999), tmd those costs tend to be hidden. More accurate cost structures must be developed for information goods, particulady for buy-configure-build software applications. Unlike off-the-shelf software applications, ERP systems are more like traditional assets, in the business sense, with capital costs and ongoing operational costs. 

The traditional trade-off in supply chain management has been the maintenance of costly buffers of inventory vs. the ability to meet complex customer prerequisites. Reduce safety stocks and costs will be reduced, but customer service may suffer. Due mainly to advanced planning and scheduling systems and improved forecasting applications, production planners now have the opportunity to reduce reliance on safety stock—while stiU meeting customer demand—by trading inventory for information. 

Information technology can be used to help improve the processes involved in supply chain management. There are many different types of software packages available and the best one for a specific application needs to be evaluated for each company. There is no one-size-fits-all approach that will work well. When purchasing and implementing a software package, the support of top management is a must. The resources for successful implementation must be allocated. Software can enhance the efficiency of processes but the personal relationships need to be mairrtained. 

Chapter 14 covers information systems and some applications that can help in supply chain management. This is an overview of software packages that does not promote specific vendors. The primary focus here is how information technology can help manage the supply chain. 

Global connectivity and the speed of communication also changed the dynamics of business. Air cargo became more widespread and a viable shipping method for international shipments. As the cost of computing decreased, data became more available, and information technology applications made it more usable. The investments in Y2K (year 2000) occurred at this dawn of global supply chain infrastructure. 

ICTs continue to have a major impact on business in general, and supply chains in particular. Technology allows the reduction or elimination of paperwork (with its attendant delays in trans-mission/reception and possible data corruption if information is re-entered). Both technologies and applications continue to evolve, with the Internet now providing an efficient, effective communication link for supply chain partners. The power of the Internet comes from its open standards and widespread availability, permitting easy, universal, secure access to a wide audience at very low cost. 

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