Just-in-Time (JIT) Approach in Satellite Supply Chain Process

摘要

Strong and sustained demand for satellite services such as Direct-To-Home applications, Broadband services, voice, data, video communication, Mobile & VSAT Services, high-resolution remote sensing data, navigation, maritime application, aviation, etc. is driving the satellite industry towards developing satellites in quick turnaround time. Given the natural inheritance of Satellite systems to reach the length and breadth of the globe from land to sea to sky to space; it is an absolute choice of this digital era. As the demand for satellite application grows, so does the need for innovative techniques to improve the throughput capacity and accelerate the 'time to market'. Justin-Time Principle has gained widespread popularity as an effective tool for productivity improvement. The paper explains the major elements of satellite supply chain process. It provides an overview on Just-in-Time concept and vividly describes the benefit of Just-in-Time principle in satellite supply chain. Strategic initiatives such as design for production and assembly, suppliers-vendors-manufacturer strategic partnership, supply chain management automation, repetitive manufacturing of identical configuration satellite etc is proposed to enable the rapid production of the satellite system. The paper emphasizes the importance of JIT embedded satellite supply chain to deliver a cost-effective, high-performance satellite system within schedule.