Big data and supply chain

Overview

In one of the recently published articles regarding supply chain, the CFO noted that the supply chain represents the next big thing that should be addressed by the big data. The concept of supply chain requires critical planning and preparation to ensure continued success. On the other hand, big data can have some level of measurable influence towards driving greater accuracy in the planning process. It will help in ensuring that all the companies involved in the supply chain make the right product. Evidently, the concept of adopting modern technology can facilitate and increase the accuracy in reporting the forecasts for any given company. As such, it drives the company forward by ensuring less waste of inventory and fewer stock outs. Students who need operations management assignment help, can work with business case studies once the fundamentals regarding the specific unit are clearly understood.

Besides, a proper supply chain model ensures effectiveness in service delivery and greater competitiveness. Further, it will ensure the working capital remains at lower levels thus helping the company in meeting their overall objectives. Consequently, the end product delivered to the final consumer will ensure quality is taken into consideration. In the same breadth, the company stands to gain from loyal customers who will appreciate the importance of an effective supply chain model supported by big data. Students get homework assignments related to operations management but also have Analytics assignment questions in them. As operations management students may not have proficiency of analytical tools and software like SAS, they usually need help with the Analytics assignment questions.

Nevertheless, the companies have realized the importance of leverage in big data especially in the area of supply chain. However, the studies conducted in the recent past depict a different scenario. They predict a hesitant initiative to move the entire concept forward by incorporating aspects of modern technology. According to inbound logistics, most of the companies in the shipping industry believe in the importance of big data. It is because they see it as a strategic operation for their supply chain models and a means of improving tactical awareness. However, in one of the articles written by Fortune, the concept of big data as a means of improving supply chain efficiency underscores the entire conundrum. Therefore, various challenges must be addressed regarding big data and the supply chain initiatives to ensure success. For instance, the parties involved in the supply chain must address the notion of cultural resistance to change and the cost of conducting the initiatives. In most of the cases, the disconnect that exists between the supply chain companies and the internal information technology department calls for the need to address big data. Moreover, one of the challenges that continue to face the supply chain is the current nature of the global commercial environment.

It is paramount that the preceding challenges be addressed in a comprehensive manner to ensure that the supply chain moves forward. It will also help in ensuring that big data is incorporated in a supply chain to deliver quality end products and improve efficiency. While addressing the challenge of cultural resistance to change, the supply chain management must come up with a module that introduces change in piecemeal basis. As such, the employees will have less challenge of resisting the change. Moreover, they must adopt a system that will meet the challenges in the global commercial environment to the latter.

What is the likelihood of a dysfunctional supply chain division hindering the progress of a company towards meeting the needs of the customers? It is evident that challenges exist in the supply chain division that must be addressed so that the organization can move forward. For instance, most of the organization faces the challenge of introducing change within their workplaces due to differences in cultural affiliations. Therefore, supply chain and big data can be incorporated in a bit by bit process to ensure that employees appreciate the importance of a functional supply chain department. If that challenge is not solved, the organization faces the risk of not achieving their overall objectives.

Current Scenario

The manufacturer of today has the advantage of having various distribution centres and factories. As such, it is easy to sell an item in the global market if the supply chain division has a proper structure. Therefore, having a team that appreciates the differences in culture from one market to the other will help in achieving targets. Besides, supply chain travels from one region to the other despite the barriers that might exist culturally. Thus, one product can move from one location to the other through a network supported by a functional supply chain. Teamwork ensures that the organization works together to achieve their overall goals and objectives. Therefore, a proper supply chain division will lead to that and customer satisfaction in the end as depicted in the picture below

Furthermore, consolidating big data into one will ensure that the organization addresses the challenge of harmonization and translate the division into one single supply chain. The importance of such move is that it will increase efficiency and improve customer satisfaction as depicted in the image below.

Finally, the concept of visibility will ensure that all information is brought into one while crossing a network into a single supply chain. Consequently, it will translate into a real time support to ensure that the company responds to the needs of the client.

Summary

Based on the previously stated analysis, supply chain and big data go hand in hand. When an organization wants to achieve success, they must incorporate a functional supply chain department that will help in meeting the needs of the customers in the end. It will require the adoption of a short-term and long-term plan to mitigate the risk of the supply chain.