Also known as simply SCM, supply chain management is how businesses streamline their supply-side to gain a competitive marketplace advantage through the maximizing of the value of their customers. Because of this, suppliers are continually going over their current processes in order to constantly reform them to make the supply chains as economical and efficient as possible. Typically, this runs all the way across the chain of command, from product development to the systems needed to process their creation.
The Importance of SCM
Back in the day when corporations were few and most markets were locally owned and operated, supply chains weren’t a big deal. The product was finished when it was finished and shipped when it shipped. Suppliers tried to keep everything on a schedule, but if a machine broke down, it would take time to fix and interrupt the process, delaying the product’s distribution.
As both technology and time management have advanced, the marketplace grew into a global presence. Suddenly, goods could ship in from around the world, leading retailers to deal with larger businesses that could guarantee fast, efficient deliveries with no delays in production. This shift in importance inevitably led to the focus on superior SCM.
SCM around the World
As far as technology is concerned, it has been used in virtually every aspect to build a better line. From global trade management software to reduce the time it takes to get goods across the world to algorithms designed to determine peak efficiency, there’s almost nothing in this process that hasn’t been accounted for. While it does mean far more challenging times ahead for businesses that are just getting going, there is plenty of literature on the best SCM, allowing even the most rudimentary local producers a chance at eventually reaching the global stage.