How has the supply chain changed the industry of tracking materials and its locations?

Supply chain is an integral part of businesses that are in operation; it plays a crucial role

in the success of a firm as well as the satisfaction of the customer (Min, Zacharia & Smith,

2019). Whether the business is new or expanding, the success of the business is inextricably

linked to the performance of the supply chain. Supply chain has particularly revolutionized the

industry of tracking materials and its location in an optimistic way. Businesses and firms no

longer have to worry about the loss of their products along the way. The supply chain has led

to greater innovations and technological advancements in the sector, by just clicking an

application, business owners and managers can be in a position track the movement of their

commodities from the supplier to the company. The supply chain has also seen the emergence

of trusted corporations and agencies which are in carrying out transition services on behalf of

companies. The supply chain has also intensified collaborations between stakeholders in the

supply chain; this way, tracking of commodities becomes much easier (Byrne & Shepherd,

2015). As supply chain networks are complex, technology has been intensified with time,

making it easier for businesses to track materials and optimize inventory.

Pros of having supply chain management in a major corporation

Better Control. By defining the whole process, an organization can be in a better position to

know all times which link of the chain where the product is located. This particularly allows

significant control with relevant actors such as the suppliers and distributors, being in a better

position to easily and quickly access a great number of offers.

Leadership. A well-implemented supply chain will also make an organization stand out in the

industry as the leading company. And in this case, if customers choose the corporation for

various reasons, they become a reference.

Greater unity between team members. Another advantage of supply chain management in an

organization is that each actor within the supply chain gets to know their distinct role and how

it should be executed.

Loyalty of customers. With higher achievements in terms of efficiency in the process, it is

possible for the organization to improve customer service in terms of delivery time, production

processes, and purchase conditions.

Cons of having chain management in a major corporation

Departmental problems. Supply chain management touches and involves multiple

departments within the organization; such include manufacturing, purchasing, information

technology, and distribution. Due to conflict of interests, departments may often get involved

in wars and disagreements.

Professional and trained staff. Supply chain management calls for professional and trained

staff to efficiently execute supply chain management functions (Copacino, 2019). This can

particularly be costly for the firm if it lacks the necessary team to carry out these functions as it

will have to outsource from the outside.

Complicated. Supply chain management involves different divisions within the organization;

this makes it complicated as it may interfere with the normal operations within the

organization. Besides, workers may feel demotivated and insecure since human beings

naturally resist change.

Lack of coordination between departments. As highlighted earlier, the supply chain involves

multiple divisions within the organization. However, it can only be executed properly if these

departments are working and coordinating as one.

Has supply chain kept up with technology

The supply chain is indeed keeping up with technology, and advancements in

technology are significantly transforming the processes in the supply chain. The need for

accurate delivery and real-time tracking systems makes supply chain ripe for technological

advancements and innovations (Byrne & Shepherd, 2015). Mobile, handheld, and wireless

technology are particularly leading the course throughout the transportation and logistics

sectors. With the dynamic aspect of technology, it is crucial for the supply chain sector to keep

up with best practices and new capabilities in the competitive world. Some of the technologies

that the supply chain has been able to keep up with include the following:

a. Artificial Intelligence. Corporations are now incorporating AI aspects such as voice

recognition to overcome modern supply obstacles that may accrue.

b. Automated Material Handling Systems. AMHS refers to the control, movement,

protection, and storage of materials and products through distribution, consumption,

manufacturing, warehousing, and disposal.

c. Automatic identification. This can also be compared with Bar-Coding; it is the use of

applications and special software to offer data systems and help identify various

physical automated items in the supply chain.

d. Cloud Computing. This particular advancement in technology is emphatically

impacting the supply chain firms in contemplating their IT plan (Dawson, 2002). Cloud
 computing in supply chain acts as a tool that drives various processes and helps in

upgrading the systems.

e. Computer-Aided Engineering. This takes care of the various processes in supply chain

management by generating tests and engineering specifications.

f. Databases. Databases are being used in the supply chain to collect, analyze, and apply

data correlated to supply chain management technologies.

What departments does the supply chain interact with to make orders and meet the

organization’s demands?

Inventory department. This particular department is in charge of making orders or

purchasing goods which the organization may need (Van Hoek, 2002). Purchasing products

may also involve reviewing the product, processing of requisitions, and receipts.

Finance department. When the organization plans to purchase certain products, the finance

department has to be involved as it deals with the management of finances.

Manufacturing department. This is the department in charge of the production of

commodities for sale.

Transportation department. This is the department in charge of the movement of products

from the suppliers until they reach the organization. It is in charge of organizing the carrier

of the product as well as tracking.

References

Byrne, O., & Shepherd, D. A. (2015). Different strokes for different folks: Entrepreneurial

narratives of emotion, cognition, and making sense of business

failure. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 39(2), 375-405.

Copacino, W. C. (2019). Supply chain management: The basics and beyond. Routledge.

Dawson, A. (2002). Supply chain technology. Work study.

Min, S., Zacharia, Z. G., & Smith, C. D. (2019). Defining supply chain management: in the

past, present, and future. Journal of Business Logistics, 40(1), 44-55.

Van Hoek, R. I. (2002). Using information technology to leverage transport and logistics

service operations in the supply chain: an empirical assessment of the interrelation

between technology and operations management. International Journal of Information

Technology and Management, 1(1), 115-130.