<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!--Generated by Squarespace Site Server v5.11.81 (http://www.squarespace.com/) on Mon, 28 May 2012 07:05:15 GMT--><rss xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" version="2.0"><channel><title>Supply Chain Blog</title><link>http://www.supplychainconnect.com/supply-chain-blog/</link><description></description><lastBuildDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:39:53 +0000</lastBuildDate><copyright></copyright><language>en-US</language><generator>Squarespace Site Server v5.11.81 (http://www.squarespace.com/)</generator><item><title>Today’s Supply Chain Secret Sauce: More Visibility, Fewer Silos</title><dc:creator>Michael</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:54:43 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.supplychainconnect.com/supply-chain-blog/todays-supply-chain-secret-sauce-more-visibility-fewer-silos.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">624124:7785168:13839863</guid><description><![CDATA[Visibility is a priority for many supply chain executives. It assists management in the following ways:

Creates more accurate inventory data by means of automated data capture
Allows data to be shared with collaborators in real-time, making the data more meaningful and representative of current stock levels
Assists executives pinpoint strengths and weaknesses to inform future investment decisions.
The benefits are plentiful, and a large majority of supply chain leaders made visibility a priority this year. In fact, in a May 2011 survey by Capgemini, 45 percent of supply chain executives indicated that improving visibility throughout the supply chain was their top priority for the year.

Is there something holding supply chain leaders back from achieving great visibility? For many, it’s the sophistication - or the lack thereof - of their technology systems. Many managers are still using spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel to collect, organize and analyze their inventory data. These collection methods result in data silos - collection mechanisms where data is delayed, prone to inaccuracies and difficult to communicate.

To dissolve these silos, however, it takes more than adoption of modern supply chain software solutions. Rather, a network of solutions must be adopted to form a centralized "supply chain hub." With this supply chain hub, leadership members and floor workers alike have some form of access to inventory information, increasing the potential for collaboration.

A core feature to making these hubs possible is data collection and sharing. Managers should focus on investing in solutions that feature the following:

Automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) to improve inventory collection speed and accuracy
Visibility portals that vary based on the user’s credentials
Notifications and alerts to allow specific groups instant knowledge of events
With end-to-end visibility throughout the supply chain, benefits are not confined to one specific department. Visibility allows the supply chain to connect and collaborate, and improve in ways that it couldn’t when it was segmented. Examples of this include:

Improved policies for inventory that involve ditching “rule of thumb” parameters. This group within the supply chain, from purchasers to warehouse managers.

Improved analysis of suppliers for more knowledgeable sourcing and procurement. Visibility allows leaders to more accurately look at spending, and work to improve the weakest areas.
Improved communication through the value chain. The ability to communicate and send information seamlessly throughout the entire value chain network - manufacturing, distribution, and logistics.

By Michael Koploy
Michael Koploy is an ERP Analyst at Software Advice and reviews warehouse systems at WMSG.com.]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://www.supplychainconnect.com/supply-chain-blog/rss-comments-entry-13839863.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>VMI BENEFITS TO THE SUPPLIER</title><dc:creator>Michael</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 03 May 2011 19:57:12 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.supplychainconnect.com/supply-chain-blog/vmi-benefits-to-the-supplier.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">624124:7785168:11344999</guid><description><![CDATA[Although we typically see Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) relationships pursued by the buyer, there are also substantial bottom line benefits to the supplier. It can substantially increase supplier profitability as a result of increased sales, reduced operating costs, and stronger customer relationships.]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://www.supplychainconnect.com/supply-chain-blog/rss-comments-entry-11344999.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>ERP Investments: Not everyone is on the same page</title><dc:creator>Michael</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 03 May 2011 19:11:38 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.supplychainconnect.com/supply-chain-blog/erp-investments-not-everyone-is-on-the-same-page.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">624124:7785168:11344549</guid><description><![CDATA[This year, 2011 has finally brought some positive news on return of growth for ERP, but not everyone is on the same page.]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://www.supplychainconnect.com/supply-chain-blog/rss-comments-entry-11344549.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Game Theory behind Reverse Auctions</title><dc:creator>Michael</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 03 May 2011 17:20:02 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.supplychainconnect.com/supply-chain-blog/game-theory-behind-reverse-auctions.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">624124:7785168:11343084</guid><description><![CDATA[We have all probably experienced the sensation termed “buyer’s remorse” when buying something in an auction. Maybe at a charity event, or perhaps on eBay. Game theory can help explain why rational people sometimes engage in this type of seemingly irrational behavior, and is always in play during a reverse auction for goods or services.]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://www.supplychainconnect.com/supply-chain-blog/rss-comments-entry-11343084.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Connect to your Customers</title><dc:creator>Michael</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:21:00 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.supplychainconnect.com/supply-chain-blog/2010/6/9/connect-to-your-customers.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">624124:7785168:8714883</guid><description><![CDATA[If "being easy to business with" is an important characteristic for your company, e-commerce solutions should be part of your strategy. How a customer portal can help capture orders from a variety of sources, and provide real-time status to your customers. Specific example in the lighting industry.]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://www.supplychainconnect.com/supply-chain-blog/rss-comments-entry-8714883.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Supplier Portal: Who benefits? Who pays?</title><dc:creator>Michael</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 13 May 2010 23:14:00 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.supplychainconnect.com/supply-chain-blog/2010/5/13/supplier-portal-who-benefits-who-pays.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">624124:7785168:8714850</guid><description><![CDATA[Collaborating with you suppliers in real-time, eliminating paper purchase orders, automating the flow of information directly into your ERP system... The benefits are real, but who should fund the building and running of the network?]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://www.supplychainconnect.com/supply-chain-blog/rss-comments-entry-8714850.xml</wfw:commentRss></item></channel></rss>
