While a company like Volkswagen must think of its supply chain as a matter of supplying an entire market – not just countries, but entire continents – its supply chain must be efficient above all else.
Actions should be coordinated as much as possible, so that vehicles are delivered according to the launch schedule.
At a company like Tesla, for example, the goal is to have a responsive supply chain.
Due to several aspects, such as reduced operation in some countries and a differentiated proposal, its supply chain is very different.
This is what allows Tesla to manufacture its vehicles “on demand ”, for example, allowing customers to buy electric cars with different customizations.
In general, we can summarize the types of supply chains to 4, being:
Lean: used in competitive markets, but without the need for a frantic race for competitiveness. It is based on lean methodology, using Just-in-Time concepts.
Agile: applied in markets where the goal is to respond quickly to unpredictable demands, even without high prices. This is the case in commodity industries.
Flexible: Used to account for flexible and variable demand, such as in the consumer goods industry. The goal is to create an integrated, robust and fast supply chain.
Continuous replenishment: very necessary for some retail or gastronomic businesses, for example. The objective is to retain customers and establish a continuous and impeccable delivery structure.
What elements make up the supply chain?
The supply chain involves all sectors, processes, professionals and technologies responsible for delivering value to the end customer.
There is often a misconception that supply chain is simply about logistics management.
In fact, this last aspect is part of the supply chain, but it is not limited to that.
The supply chain is made up of different elements, namely:
Logistics management;
Purchasing sector;
inventory control;
Document management;
Supply management;
PCP – Production Control Plan;
Factory floor or service provision.
All of this, of course, is linked by different systems and technological resources that make operations more efficient, connected and agile.
What are the steps in the supply chain?
The supply chain is generally divided into 4 main steps: choosing the raw material, transforming the raw material into a product, storing the product, and shipping the product to the customer.
These steps may vary in structure (especially if we are talking about organizations that provide services), but they usually follow the same dynamics.
First, it is necessary to build a good relationship with qualified suppliers.
Secondly, it is necessary to optimize production processes to make them efficient, fast and safe.
Thirdly, the company must think about managing its inventory to contribute to its business objectives and the level of consumer demand.
And finally, there is the need to think about the final logistics for the client: is it an internal or outsourced service? How to deliver better and faster, by improving the cube, for example?
Supply chain management is the administration and control of the elements that constitute it, such as:
data streams;
Production of goods;
Activities and functions of employees;
Logistics routines;
costs;
distribution channels,
Delivery time.
It uses techniques, methodologies and technological solutions to monitor, integrate, control and organize its stages.
Every company has its own supply chain, so both business customers and suppliers have their own.
Therefore, efficient supply management must consider, in addition to its internal flows, external ones. That is, those that involve its partners, suppliers and consumers.
It is important that there is integration of processes between these agents, with exchange of information so that the chains of both are optimized and complement each other.
In this way, the customer will know, for example, when the cayman islands whatsapp data supplier has raw materials and, based on this, will be able to prepare to place orders.
On the other hand, your own customers will also receive orders within the agreed timeframes. In this case, as we will see later, it is necessary to have management systems that simplify the control of routines and work flows in the area.
They also provide strategic information.
For example, there are systems that allow customers to check the supplier's stock to place orders for supplies, as well as knowing when they will arrive.
Furthermore, technologies that assist in warehouse control, route planning and routing, and tracking of stored or in-transit products are essential, as they improve the integration, operationalization, and management of the supply chain.