Supply Chain Management (SCM) global approach and analysis

Context and Challenges

Supply Chain Management is the management of a network of supply chain partners involved in the provision of products/services and the respective information flow. This field covers the whole of the logistics flow, from suppliers to customers, through to distributors. It involves all management processes: from sales forecasts to deliveries, through orders, planning and production.

To face the new economic challenges (fierce competition and globalisation of markets), companies are looking to strengthen their position and competitive edge in an area that is undergoing major logistics change. By this we broadly mean any transformation that impacts on:

• pure logistics operations (warehousing, transport, etc.),
• information systems meant to manage the flows,
• or flows management, i.e. their organisation, management and optimisation.

This big change can be due to innovations developed internally or externally (“just-in-time flow” tools, e-Commerce, etc.) or even organisational or strategic choices (subcontracting, outsourcing). Moreover, the major challenge that companies have to face is adapting their partner relationships (upstream and downstream) to flow optimisation strategies. Within this context, establishing a global, integrated ("end-to-end"), supply chain management information system is essential to:

• help companies achieve better supply/demand, generate improved cost/quality ratios for optimised inventory management
• ensure a continued flow of information all along the supply chain and thus allow all the supply chain partners to access information in real time

Business & Decision’s experience and know-how in this sector means that it is well positioned to help customers face these challenges, by implementing the appropriate management systems.
 

Solution

Based on the business context, we can offer two types of services: consulting, to help the company define its management project, and implementation to integrate the Business Intelligence solution. Hence, our teams can optimise management and performance evaluation processes: Business Intelligence, Analytic Reporting and Corporate Performance Management projects.
 

Added Value

Over the years, Business & Decision has successfully developed specific methodologies and best practices for decision support. Today, having delivered more than 1,400 successful projects, Business & Decision has acquired a leadership status and enjoys worldwide recognition in the field. Thanks to this experience, Business & Decision can deliver against the following criteria throughout the decision support project life cycle:

• working within deadlines and cost constraints
• controlling risks, problems and scope
• ensuring the operational viability (performance, security) of the solution