What is Supply Chain Management?

Easy to understand video describing supply chain management. Also includes numerous resources to get a better understanding of supply chain.

Supply Chain Defined in Various Ways

General Business Definition: A supply chain is the network of all the individuals, organizations, resources, activities, and technology involved in the creation and sale of a product, from the purchase of source materials from the supplier to the manufacturer, through to its eventual delivery to the end user.

Operational Management Definition: In operational terms, a supply chain refers to the integrated system that coordinates the flow of goods, services, information, and finances as they move from supplier to manufacturer to wholesaler to retailer to consumer.

Academic Definition: A supply chain is the entire sequence of processes and entities involved in the production and distribution of a commodity, including the stages of raw material extraction, production, processing, transportation, warehousing, and final sale. It encompasses both the upstream (supplier-related) and downstream (customer-related) aspects of production and distribution.

Train by SCM Topic.

Supply Chain Overview.

Plan it: Planning and Strategy #1, #2
Buy it: Supplier Management/Procurement #1, #2
Store it: Warehouse, Distribution, Inventory #1, #2
Make it: Manufacturing and Production #1, #2
Ship it: Transportation and Shipping #1, #2

Supply Chain Management Training

Distribution, Warehouse, Fulfillment Training

Supply Chain Quotes

“All we are doing is looking at the time line, from the moment the customer gives us an order to the point when we collect the cash. And we are reducing the time line by reducing the non-value adding wastes.” ~Taiichi Ohno, father of Toyota Production System (TPS).
“Every breakthrough business idea begins with solving a common problem. The bigger the problem, the bigger the opportunity. I discovered a big one when I took apart an IBM PC. I made two interesting discoveries: The components were all manufactured by other companies, and the system that retailed for $3,000 cost about $600 in parts.” ~Michael Dell, founder of Dell Computer. Supply Chain Expert.
“If your supply chain runs without many problems you either have a great supply chain or running very fat.” ~Dave Waters.
“Supply chains are everywhere. From the biggest company in the world to running your household. We all have supply chain experience even if we don’t know it.” ~Dave Waters.
“Many of our best opportunities were created out of necessity. “ ~Sam Walton, founder of Walmart.
“Leaders win through logistics. Vision, sure. Strategy, yes. But when you go to war, you need to have both toilet paper and bullets at the right place at the right time. In other words, you must win through superior logistics.” ~Tom Peters.

“Those in supply chain know the impossible is possible.” ~EverythingSupplyChain.com

“The business schools rewards difficult complex behavior more than simple behavior, but simple behavior is more effective.” ~Warren Buffett

“We have to make sure, at Apple, that we stay true to focus, laser focus – we know we can only do great things a few times, only on a few products.” ~Tim Cook, CEO of Apple.