What are the benefits of using OR applications in supply chain management?
Supply chain management (SCM) is the process of planning, executing, and controlling the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers. It involves various activities such as sourcing, production, inventory, transportation, distribution, and customer service. SCM is crucial for any business that wants to optimize its operations, reduce costs, improve quality, and satisfy customer demand.
However, SCM is also a complex and dynamic system that faces many challenges and uncertainties. Factors such as demand fluctuations, supply disruptions, price changes, environmental regulations, and global competition can affect the performance and profitability of a supply chain. How can a business cope with these challenges and make better decisions in SCM?
This is where operations research (OR) comes in. OR is a discipline that applies mathematical models, methods, and tools to analyze and solve problems in various domains, including SCM. OR can help a business design, evaluate, and improve its supply chain processes and strategies by using data, logic, and optimization techniques. In this article, we will explore some of the benefits of using OR applications in SCM.