What is Supply Chain?Key definitions:

•  According to Wikipedia, “The supply chain is a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service from   suppliers to customers”.

•  “A supply chain consists of all stages involved directly or indirectly in fulfilling customer requests. The supply chain not only includes the manufacturers and suppliers, but also transporters, warehouses, retailers and customer themselves”. – Sunil Chopra and Peter Meindl.

What is Supply Chain?• A typical supply chain may involve a variety of

stages.– Customers– Retailers– Wholesalers/distributors– Manufacturers– Component/raw material suppliers.

Understanding Supply Chain Management

More Specifically Supply Chain Management is:

A set of approaches used to efficiently integrate - Suppliers

- Manufacturers - Warehouses - Distribution centres

So that the product is produced and distributed - In the right quantities - To the right locations - And at the right time

System-wide costs are minimized and Service level requirements are satisfied

Decision Phases in Supply Chain Management

Process View of A Supply Chain

The supply chain process occurs in two ways, Cycle View and Push/Pull view.

1. Cycle View2. Push-Pull View