Integrated Supply Chain and Advantage †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Integrated Supply Chain and Advantage. Answer: It is an important part of business to have a set of efficient, responsive and fast supply chain. An organization can deliver better value by gaining competitive advantage. This can be done by running supply chain networks, evaluating and implementing the necessary changes which will respond to the dynamic business scenarios. Introduction of new product, changes in demand pattern, addition of new supply sources and change in tax rules and regulations are included in the dynamic business cases. Supply chain network is a strong approach which helps to provide a remarkable decrease in the supply chain costs and thus improves service levels by aligning with the supply chain strategies. As it is mentioned in the case study, the consultancy firm Accenture is able to increase the companys market capitalization above the industry average. For realization of these benefits, there are important investments done in the logistics system required at the level of supply chain networks. An efficient logistics system is essential to make the effective use of international sourcing strategies, specifically the large manufacturing capacity of Pacific Rim and China (Christopher 2016). It will be helpful for the organization to use supply chain managers in different sectors that are looking for better visibility of the whereabouts of the supply chains and access more appropriate data at a faster pace. Integrated supply chain allows a company to highlight the on those assets which would allow the organization to move forward by achieving rewards. These are considered as assets of the organization which deliver a strong impact on the revenue system. This, in turn needs to be enhanced as much as possible because it allows the companies to improve their products, gain profits and boost market share. ISC is also responsible for reducing the transactional costs. Without it, there would have been a possibility in delayed processes leading to unnecessary costs. Apart from these, supply chain also helps in ensuring quality throughout the process. Along with the financial advantages, the company will be able to fight in the competitive market and become the winner with this management (Mangan and Lalwani 2016). The disadvantages include excessive regulation where the integration of all the suppliers will become a challenge in the management of both internal and external supply. There might evolve a complex scenario where the resource can be wasted unnecessarily due to integrated supply chain management. A shortage of suppliers who will not permit in the renewal of contracts with respect to integrated supply chain management will violate the priorities of the specific business. Again, there could be damage in the balance and checks with the arrival of any kinds of lapse in the compliance checks. There are a number of key attributes involved in the logistics system. According to the case study the three significant aspects are integration, time/service and movement of product. The process of logistics interfaces and interacts with the total company and also with the external companies, vendors, customers, carriers and other stakeholders of the company. Logistics is responsible for the movement of products from the vendors to the delivery at your customers doors. This involves the moves through manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and third-parties, such as re-packagers or distributors. It is not only about shipping and receiving, nor is it traffic or warehousing but something more than that (Ross 2015). Movement of product is sometimes the way in which logistics is considered by many companies. It is considered as a complementary method of the corporate strategy, if the stress is put on the lower inventories, reduction of costs, customer service or others. Time/ service on the other hand, is a factor of competition, requirements of the customers, companys place and position in the industry and the corporate culture involved with it. Integration takes place within the company, between the company and the customers or between the customers and the vendors. It is one of the important processes in logistics. Supply chain information technology or SCIT is the prime force behind effective supply chain management activities. IT provides many opportunities for the companies to decrease the costs and enhance the responsiveness to the customers demands. Other services enabled by IT in the field of supply chain management are environment friendly and clean services; less capital intensive services; it is not dependent on location so cam be conducted from anywhere; it does not need any costly infrastructure facilities. The different IT solutions involved in the process are- communications, E- mail, electronic data interchange and enterprise resource planning. With the booming IT industry and internet being the key driver, the suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers are getting connected. Internet has a big influence on the total business strategy starting from policy to physical implementation. The area where the impact of IT is felt in a great way is communication, selection of vendors, cost saving, reduction in the lead time taken and improves the product promotional activities (Stevens and Johnson 2016). The three different ways in which technology can fulfill its roles is by using the best communication tools for the job, availability of good data and access to solid tools of analytics and staying updated with information. The process of supply chain is concerned with the flow of products and information from one supply chain member to another in the organization. In todays world, there is an immediate need for immediate communication always at an instant. It becomes convenient but at the same time there is a possibility of miscommunication. To see and listen to a person while communicating is considered as an effective communication. In the process of supply chain management, whether monitoring inventories or performance metrics, technology plays an important role. The main factor behind effective use of metrics is to have a hold of solid and reliable data. It is important to stay updated with the recent information through the use of technology which provides knowledge about the industry. Reference Christopher, M., 2016.Logistics supply chain management. Pearson UK. Mangan, J. and Lalwani, C., 2016.Global logistics and supply chain management. John Wiley Sons. Ross, D.F., 2015. Information Technology and Supply Chain Management. InDistribution Planning and Control(pp. 827-886). Springer US. Seuring, S., 2013. A review of modeling approaches for sustainable supply chain management.Decision support systems,54(4), pp.1513-1520. Stevens, G.C. and Johnson, M., 2016. Integrating the supply chain 25 years on.International Journal of Physical Distribution Logistics Management,46(1), pp.19-42.