Risks when relying on the Cloud Data and information have value, so organisations need to ideally own, manage and control their supply chain data and information. But this can be a challenge in a Cloud based IT world. The continual message about ‘partners’ and ‘partnerships’ in business can hide the fact that suppliers are in business to make a profit. … Read More
Visibility through Supply Chains is more than IT
What is Visibility? Visibility has been a supply chain buzzword over the past twelve months. The better a Logistician can view what is happening through their supply chains, then responses when activities go ‘off plan’ should improve. But what does visibility mean for Logisticians? There are two aspects; one is to ‘see’ the physical movement and storage of goods and … Read More
Climate Change action process for your Supply Chains
Few years remain to make climate change decisions Success and failures in responses by governments and business to the COVID-19 pandemic has been a learning exercise for all. These lessons will be useful concerning the disruptions that are likely to occur due to climate change. In 2019, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ()IPCC) stated in its report “limiting global … Read More
Supply Chains need to measure the accuracy of forecasts
Forecasts are always wrong This statement is true, but forecasting helps to be less wrong. Forecasts of future sales will never be ‘correct’, but they can be made more accurate by using ranges in forecasts and measuring ‘forecast error’. The market demand (and supply) for an item is a ‘continuous variable’ consisting of multiple variables that interact dependently, independently and … Read More
Procurement using digital to be a strategic function
Repetitive tasks are poor in Added Value When repetitive tasks are automated, the staff working in Procurement have time freed to focus on analysis and decisions that can add value, unlike tracking purchase orders. In your organisation, what percentage of purchase orders raised in Procurement must be changed before the items are received? Typically, this will require repetitive tasks in … Read More