Defined:
Tracking and forecasting management within a supply chain often focuses on very complex operations that monitor all processes including: inventory, packaging, picking, replenishment, put-away, shipping and routing operations. Because there are so many different components that go into the logistics of a supply chain, it is imperative to examine each part separately, as well as the effects of each on one another and the supply chain as a whole.

 

Challenges:
With many different manufacturing facilities, parts and products, routes, transports, and resources that vary in their levels of interaction, it is often difficult to track and manage daily operations, let alone accurately forecast and plan for different scenarios in a complex and changing business environment. It can also be very costly, both in regards to time and money, to analyze the system and plan for improvements. Each component of the supply chain must be examined individually in order to make sensible changes to the supply chain as a whole.

 

Solution:
The key to accurately tracking and forecasting the impact variability has on different business processes will be to identify a solution that maintains the relationship between each entity within the supply chain. Maintaining key components while increasing efficiency and forecasting different constraints will help the supply chain run most efficiently and profitably.