Supply Chain Management

What is supply chain management?

A Supply Chain is the material, information, and services, typically crossing several different organizations, involved in producing and delivering a product or service to an end user.

Supply Chain Management (SCM) is a total systems approach to managing the entire flow of information, materials and services from raw-material suppliers through factories and warehouses to the end customer. This broad field includes functions such as supplier management, distribution planning, forecasting, risk management and strategic supply chain management.

Learn more through CIRAS' "Supply Chain Management For Small- And Medium-Sized Manufacturers" series.

See in-depth information and related links.

What are the benefits of supply chain management?

Effective supply chain management is critical to competing in today’s global marketplace. Basic supply chain management practices will enable you to get the right parts at the right time from your supply base, reducing part delays, quality problems, inventory, and total cost of your product.

Advanced supply chain management practices, such as risk management and strategic supply chain optimization, can move beyond improving cost efficiencies to help gain an advantage over your competitors and position your company for new business opportunities.

What can CIRAS do for my company?

CIRAS can help your company in a variety of areas in supply chain management:

• CIRAS "Advancing Supply chain Performance and Innovation for Reliable Excellence" (ASPIRE) Program
• Theory of Constraints: Inventory/Distribution Management
• Supply Chain Management Assessments
• Supplier Selection/Management/Improvement Techniques
• Risk Management
• Total Cost of Ownership
• Forecasting Techniques

What is my next step?