Supply Chain Execution- An Overview

Hi Everyone

This is my second blog on Linked In continuing the discussion points of Supply Chain execution. Last week I was able to provide an overview of the Warehouse management and what it does.

This week, my objective is to walk you through the depth and the various attributes associated with Supply Chain Execution.

What Is Supply Chain Execution

What Is Supply Chain Execution?

Supply chain execution lies in the effective usage of all resources available at one's doorstep, controlling costs at every stage, and ensuring that products reach customers on time and as expected.

Key Points of Supply Chain Execution:

Information and Communication: It is keeping everything running smoothly, sharing information, and communicating effectively—not just on any physical tools like forklifts and trucks.

Managing Disruptions: Managers need to get over daily disruptions and issues by tracking the movement of goods. The tracking helps them realize glitches and make decisions, like rerouting products, moving employees or machinery, or even changing orders from suppliers.

Visibility and Decision-Making: Firms depend on software to monitor and guide specific tasks and make effective decisions. For example, systems can:

·????? Reorder supplies when inventory is low automatically.

·????? Find the most cost-effective method to fill an order.

·????? Help employees to pick, pack, and ship orders efficiently.

Information Sharing: Most of the companies share real-time information with the suppliers and consumers. This type of transparency enables the information to reach the concerned people about the shipment status and other crucial updates.

Task Outsourcing: Some firms outsource parts of their supply chain tasks to third-party logistics providers, or 3PLs, which are firms managing warehousing, shipping, and returns more efficiently or cost-effectively than the companies can on their own.

Benefits of Supply chain execution

Improved Customer Satisfaction: The ability to fill orders quickly and accurately satisfies customers.

Lower Operating Costs: Reduces the amount of inventory an organization is carrying, thereby reducing costs.

Competitive Advantage: Enables attracting new customers and increasing sales by outperforming competitors.

Better Coordination and Response: This sharing of good information from the supply chain execution system with other internal departments or with external suppliers:

ü Better coordinate the movement of goods with delivery schedules.

ü Provide real-time insights to react in time to changes in supply or demand. Track performance and know where to improve.

Applications associated with Supply Chain Execution

Order Management

Allows management of orders from multiple sales channels.

Takes care of order creation, priority, approval, and returns.

Keeps track of vendor performance.

Transportation Management Systems (TMS):

Optimizes the utilization of carriers for overland, air, and ocean transportation.

Tracks shipments and manages global trade compliance. Historically a tool for very large corporations but now available to smaller businesses because of cloud-based solutions.

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS):

Ensures the greatest utilization of warehouse space.

Schedules labor, manages inventory, and fulfills orders.

Advises workers on the most efficient picking, packing, and labeling.

Warehouse Control Systems:

Communicates with WMS in running equipment like conveyor belts and scanners.

Monitors status and performance of equipment for improved efficiency.

Predictive Inventory Management:

Assigns items to the most efficient places in a warehouse.

Ensures quick and accurate retrieval by workers.

Placing the most popular items in easily accessible spots, it spreads similar products to reduce errors.

Logistics Management:

Coordinates truck, trailer, and pallet movements in manufacturing, warehouse, and distribution yards by using GPS and RFID.

Loading and unloading optimization, which guides trucks to particular doors when shipments are ready.

Labor Management Systems (LMS)/Workforce Management:

Schedules warehouse or manufacturing employees for duty depending on expected work levels.

Monitors employee activities and productivity to control labor costs.

I hope this gives a detailed overview of Supply Chain execution which is the painful part of the Supply Chain Management process.