The integrated supply chain

摘要

From an operations perspective, "just in time" is and might still be an idea with suppliers to deliver materials just in time for use to avoid inventory damage and other obstacles that delay production. "Continuous improvement" came along as an approach for being aware that all things can constantly be improved throughout the operation. There are more examples, but these establish the point. Discussions with users of these ideas found that even though the line was followed, there were many deviations, and the intended results were not always obtained. Why? Research into the concept or idea indicated that basic principles were not fully understood by personnel involved in the application. That brings us to the supply chain. The terminology of "supply chains" has existed for some time now; however, experience, observation and research into the subject has indicated not only the conditional applications, but also that the overall concept has deviations and interpretations. Exposure to magazine articles, books, seminars and even the syllabuses of college courses offering degrees in supply chain management have manifested a consensus that the topic, in fact, has many interpretations and viewpoints. Yet, what is needed is a simple approach.