The supply chain exists solely to satisfy customer requirements. In the process of fulfilling these demands, it generates profits for the multiple organisations ordinarily involved in a modern supply chain.
Each organisation forms a crucial link in the delivery of the product or service to the customer itself, and the profits generated by the supply chain are shared among the participants in most cases. There are therefore only two ways for a supply chain to generate more profit, participants are able to perform their roles cheaper than anyone else by being the most efficient (lean), or they can do the same thing faster than their competitors (agility). Towards this end, everything that happens between the customer placing an order and the fulfilment of this order should be entirely focused on adding value.
And yet according to the latest Epicor findings in which this integrated ERP vendor goes into a deeper analysis of the practices of supply chain management (SCM), some 95% of the business processes which form part of today's complex, multiple supply chain business scenarios add no value at all. Substantial opportunity therefore exists to boost supply chain profits by driving higher levels of efficiency at every point both upstream and downstream.
In the course of this research, Epicor discovered four key SCM focus areas if this goal is to be achieved. These focus areas are:
1. Supply chain planning
2. Supply chain execution
3. Supply chain monitoring
4. Supply chain measurement
This research goes into the mechanics of the supply chain and the optimisation of these operations at length, from the processes involved to the technology solutions capable of building the most efficient and profitable supply chain in the modern business world. The whitepaper covers a wide range of manufacturing and distribution models which rely intrinsically on an optimised supply chain environment and examines the business benefits of improved efficiency for each practice.
To obtain the full report, please send an e-mail to info@scala.co.za with the subject heading "Whitepaper - SCM".
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For 20 years, Epicor has been a recognised leader dedicated to providing integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain management (SCM) software solutions to midmarket companies around the world.
With the acquisition of Scala, Epicor is a global leader in the midmarket serving over 20 000 customers in over 140 countries. Epicor leverages innovative technologies like Web services in developing end-to-end, industry-specific solutions for manufacturing, distribution, enterprise service automation, and hospitality that enable companies to immediately drive efficiency throughout business operations and build competitive advantage.
With the scalability and flexibility to support long-term growth, Epicor's solutions are complemented by a full range of services, providing a single point of accountability to promote rapid return on investment and low total cost of ownership. Epicor's worldwide headquarters are located in Irvine, California with offices and affiliates around the world. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.epicor.com/.
Scala Africa
Scala Epicor is represented in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands by Scala Africa, which provides sales, consulting and implementation skills to a customer base of more than 400 companies in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. Headquartered in Johannesburg and with offices in countries including Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria, Scala Africa (Pty) Ltd, is a truly pan-African concern that offers integrated, collaborative ERP solutions to businesses across the continent. Visit Scala's Web site at www.scala.net or www.epicor.com for press information including press releases, information and product information.
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