Supply chain consulting affecting bottom line

How can supply chain consulting affect your bottom line? Supply chain consultants come in all shapes and sizes and it is prudent to research their offerings carefully. Many consultants specialize by industry and some even concentrate on specific steps in the supply chain or in a given type of technology solution.Some supply chain managers can detect their own problems. However, one challenge is the availability, visibility and accuracy of information. Poor quality of information limits the efficiency and effectiveness throughout the supply chain. What can be visible is escalating prices of raw materials and services, high labour rates and obsolete stockholdings. An external intervention is often needed to tackle these and similar issues due to the on-going pressure of day-to-day operations and lack of the appropriate skills to make improvements. What can a supply Syma S108G chain consultancy do for you? A review of your end-to-end supply chain process. Internally it is difficult to objectively see the problems and also to explain them iphone 4 wifi antenna to stakeholders. By identifying bottlenecks and unnecessary complexities and looking for ways to eliminate these, consultants can propose solutions that can reduce costs and save effort. Innovating through the use of technology. Often I.T. systems do not talk to each other and different software solutions have been used to solve discrete and short-term problems over time. Consultants can diagnose how this is negatively impacting the flow of the supply chain and can propose how to solve any disconnects. Techniques such as Six Sigma and “Lean” in conjunction with new technologies such as RFID and cellular connectivity can optimize the flow in the supply chain. Purchasing and Inventory management. Applying best practice to purchasing using strategic sourcing processes and automating some of the procure-to-pay functions can deliver substantial savings. Inventory holding costs can be reduced through supplier stockholdings and receiving goods on a consignment basis (sale or return). Focusing on slow moving and redundant stock and limiting waste can have a direct effect on the bottom line. Future opportunity assessment and staffing review. Staying competitive in a rapidly changing economic environment means ensuring the right skills are on board to fulfill the strategy. Consultants can establish gaps in knowledge and iphone 4s interface experience that will impact the organization later and can propose new structures and developments plans to deal with this issue. Low cost country sourcing is becoming a reality and requires a particular skills set. How can we measure the savings and benefits?When engaging consultants it is prudent to tie their fees into measurable benefits. Whether it be savings in procuring goods and services, reduction in inventory or more efficient transportation, all these activities can be measured and compared to internationally published benchmarks. Ensure that you select the most capable and reputable service provider for your particular needs. That is the way that supply chain consulting can affect your bottom line, and positively.