Academic Research Paper

David Greaves

PROC 6000 Academic Research Paper

Professor Henry Garcia

February 28, 2011

Overview

Supply chain management forms the vital link between the supplier and the end-user. As the name suggests, the supply chain is a network of facilities and distribution options that helps in procurement of raw materials, processing this to semi and finished products, and through proper distribution, reach the customer at the desired time. Supply chains exist in just about every production, service and maintenance industry, although the complexity of the supply chain may vary greatly from industry to industry and firm to firm (Ganeshan & Harrison, 1995).

The service industry of late has seen unlimited scope for professionalism in streamlined operations leading to better customer care and services. In the years gone by, retailers used electronic data interchange systems for communicating between manufacturers, suppliers, and tracking. The trend has given way to a more advanced and sophisticated brand of software that not only enhances performance and efficiency, but cuts costs, raises customer fulfillment, and controls long-term supply positioning (Valdero Corporation, 2002). Many innovative software packages have been introduced in the market lately to bridge the gap between planning and execution, the lifeline of the supply chain industry.

Supply chain management looks at providing real-time visibility and control over changes occurring in the supply chain industry. The technological development in the software industry is such that, the supply chain industry today has the availability of solutions for Supply Chain Planning (SCP), Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Business Intelligence (BI). (Oracle Corporation, 2005). This paper takes an in-depth look at Dell, a forerunner in the computer hardware business, globally, and the United States Army logistics and how they compare in their strategies of supply...