Download What IS a Supply-chain?

MSc International Business 2013
International e-Business
Lecture 7:
Web Server Basics: Client/Server Architecture
Supply Chains and Logistics in B2B
Supply Chain Management
Business Intelligence Systems
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Learning Objectives
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Brief Overview of Web Software and Hardware
Examine the e-supply chain and understand its
characteristics and components.
Consider common supply chain problems and their
causes. Outline solutions to supply chain problems
Describe RFID as a supply chain application.
Describe collaborative planning and Collaboration,
Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishing (CPFR) and list
the benefits of each.
Discuss integration along the supply chain.
Understand corporate portals and their types and roles.
Describe e-collaboration tools such as groupware and
screen sharing.
Identify the main elements of supply chain management
and their relationship to the value chain and value
networks
Assess the potential of information systems to support
supply chain management and the value chain.
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Reading
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Chaffey Chapter 6
Schneider Chapter 8
Turban et. al.: Chapters 5 -7
Papazoglou, M and P Ribbers (2006): e-business: Organizational
and Technical Foundations, Chapters 8 - 12.
[For the more technically-minded]
Farhoomand: Chapters 2, 4 - 8
Chen: Chapters 3, 6 & 7
Jelassi & Enders: Part 2
ABS (2000): Business Use of Information Technology, Australian
Bureau of Statistics
Meier, J (1995): The importance of relationship management in
establishing successful IOS, Journal of Strategic Information
Systems, 4(2), 135-148
Ordanini, A and A Pol (2001): Infomediation and competitive
advantage in B2B digital marketplaces, European Management
Journal, 19(3), 276-285
Wise, R and D Morrison (2000): Beyond the exchange: The future of
B2B, Harvard Business Review, Nov-Dec, 86-96.
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Online Activities
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http://logistics.about.com/
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http://logistics.about.com/od/supplychainintroduction/a/into_scm.htm
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http://www.cio.com/article/40940/Supply_Chain_Management_Defin
ition_and_Solutions
https://files.pbworks.com/download/kntRyLYVCO/socialmediaclub/
17044030/An%20e%20business%20ontology.pdf
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/software/solutions/pdfs/ODC03019USEN-00.pdf
http://www.lavoisier.fr/notice/frOWOXLRSAX2WL3O.html
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1527432&sh
ow=abstract
http://www.supplychainonline.com/cgi-bin/preview/SCM101/2.html
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/high-techgadgets/rfid.htm
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Web Server Basics
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• Basic technologies to build online business Web sites
• Server software and hardware
• Utility function software
Client/server architectures
• Used in LANs, WANs, and the Web
• Client requests server services
Servers
• Have more memory and larger, faster disk drives
Web browser software
• Uses Web browser software (Web client software)
• Make computers work as Web clients
• Web browser also called Web client software
• Browser is an EXTREMELY POWERFUL s/w application
• Platform neutrality
• Ability of a network to connect devices that use
different operating systems
• Critical in rapid spread and widespread Web
acceptance
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Platform Neutrality
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Web Server Basics
• Web server(s) – may be widely distributed
• Main job: respond to Web client requests
• Main elements:
• Hardware, operating system software, and Web server
software
• Web site goals followed by site development
estimations
• Number of visitors
• Number of pages viewed during an average visit
• How large the pages will be
• Maximum number of simultaneous visitors
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Dynamic Content Generation
• Dynamic page
• Web page content shaped by program
• Static page
• Unchanging page retrieved from Web server file(s)
• Web sites using collection of HTML pages
• Changed by editing HTML (cumbersome)
• Specific query-customized pages not allowed
• Dynamic content
• Nonstatic information constructed in response to Web
client’s request
• Gives user an INTERACTIVE experience
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Dynamic Content Generation (2)
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Approaches for creating dynamic content
• Client-side scripting
• Software operates on the Web client (browser)
• Software changes Web page display in response to a user’s
actions
• Software examples: JavaScript or Adobe Flash
• Server-side scripting
• Program runs on a Web server
• Program creates Web page in response to request for
specific information from a Web client
• Server-side scripts mixed with HTML-tagged text
• Examples:
• Microsoft Active Server Pages (ASP): ASP.NET
• Sun Microsystems JavaServer Pages (JSP): Java servlets
• Open-source Apache Software Foundation Hypertext
Preprocessor (PHP)
• Adobe ColdFusion
• Server-side languages generally use:
• Common Gateway Interface (CGI)
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Dynamic Content Generation (3)
• Dynamic page generation tools
• AJAX (asynchronous JavaScript and XML)
• Creates interactive Web sites looking like
applications
• Example: Google Maps
• Ruby on Rails
• Creates dynamic Web pages with interface
looking like application
• Python
• Scripting language
• HTML5: Highly Flexible and Dynamic
See www.W3schools.com
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Multiple Meanings of “Server”
• Computer providing files, making programs available to
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other computers connected to it through a network
• Server software
• Makes files and programs available
• May be part of the operating system (OS)
• Server OS software may be referred to as server
software (confusing)
• May connect through a router to the Internet
• Runs Web server software
Web server
• Computer connected to the Internet
• Runs Web server software
• Makes server’s files available to other computers
E-mail server: handles incoming and outgoing e-mail
Database server
• Runs database management software
Transaction server
• Runs accounting and inventory management software
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Web Client/Server Architectures
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Web browser requests files from Web server
• Transportation medium: the Internet
• Request formatted by browser using HTTP
• Request sent to server computer
• Server receives request
• Retrieves file containing requested Web page
• Formats using HTTP
• Sends back to client over the Internet
• Client Web browser software
• Displays page on client machine
Repeating process
• Client requests, server responds; client displays result
• Possible result:
• Dozens or even hundreds of separate server
responses
• Graphics and other objects
• May be slow to appear in client’s Web browser
window
Two-tier client/server architecture
• One client and one server computer
• Create and read messages
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Message Flows: Two-Tier
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Message Flows: Three-Tier
Can have n-tier client/server Architectures:
Catalogue-style web searches; tracking Customer
Purchases, preferences; inventories, etc.
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Operating Systems: Web Servers
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Operating system tasks
• Running programs, allocating computer resources,
providing input and output services
• Larger system responsibilities
• Tracking multiple users, ensuring no interference
• Web server operating systems software
• Microsoft Windows Server products
• Linux [Most Popular – using APACHE]
• UNIX-based operating systems
• Example: FreeBSD
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Operating Systems: Web Servers (2)
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Microsoft server products
• Considered simple to learn and use
• Raise security concerns – especially ActiveX Controls
• “Buggy” – like many Microsoft applications
Linux
• Open-source (GOOD!) – peer-assessed and modifiable
• Fast, efficient, and easy to install
• Can be downloaded free from the Web
• Most companies buy it through a commercial distributor
• Includes additional utilities, support
• Commercial Linux examples: Mandriva, Red Hat, SCO
Group, SuSE Linux Enterprise
UNIX-based operating system
• Solaris (Sun Microsystems, now owned by Oracle
[GOOD])
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Web Server Software
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Commonly used Web server programs
• Apache HTTP Server (most popular - and reliable; Microsoft
Internet Information Server (IIS)
APACHE:
• Extension had original core system with patches
• Known as “a patchy” server (“Apache”)
• Reasons Apache dominated Web since 1996
• Free and performs efficiently, active contributors to online
forum
• Runs on many operating systems and supporting hardware
• FreeBSD-UNIX, HP-UX, Linux, Microsoft Windows, SCOUNIX, and Solaris
Other Web server programs
• Oracle iPlanet, nginx, lighttpd
Netcraft January 2012 Web survey indicates:
• Web server software market share has stabilised in recent years
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Web Server Software (2)
Source: Netcraft Web Surveys, http://www.netcraft.com
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Electronic mail: e-Mail
• Electronic commerce important technologies
• Web and WebMail (e.g. yahoo! Hotmail, etc.)
• Provides interactions between Web servers and clients
• E-mail:
• Used to gather information, execute transactions, perform
other electronic commerce related tasks
• Originated in 1970s on ARPANET
• Most popular form of business communication
• Conveys messages in seconds
• Contains simple ASCII text or character formatting
• Useful feature
• Attachments: often most important message part
• E-mail uses
• Confirm receipt of customer orders, confirm shipment of
items ordered, send information about a purchase to
buyer, announce specials and sales, keep in touch with
customers (CRM via AUTORESPONDERS – smart
software that responds instantly to Customer messages)
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e-Mail Drawbacks
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Time spent answering e-mail
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Managers: five minutes per e-mail
Average person: two hours a day
Creating resentment
Computer virus (virus)
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Program attaching itself to another program
• Causes damage when host program activated
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Attachment can contain viruses
Cost for e-mail convenience
• Virus protection software; dealing with security threats
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SPAM:
Magnitude of spam problem
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In 2009: 24-hour period showed 220 billion spam
e-mail messages sent
• Researchers believe spam growth has levelled off
• Appears to be declining slightly – but still a blight on www
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Reported Spam
Source:
Symantec Intelligence Reports, Spam and Phishing Reports,
and Spam Reports; www.symantec.com
Management Issues
• Which technologies should we deploy for smooth
communication with suppliers and Customers,
management of supply chains, Customer
relationships and how should they be prioritised?
• Which elements of the supply chain should be
managed within and beyond the organization and
how can technology be used to facilitate this?
• How do we cope with typical Supply-chain
problems:
• Whiplash Effect (also called “Bullwhip Effect”)
• Delays: Can easily cause chaos in Supply-Chains
• Stockouts, etc.: Can be disastrous for businesses
SEE: http://www.beergame.org/the-game
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Bullwhip (Whiplash) Effect
http://www.quickmba.com/ops/bullwhip-effect/
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What IS a Supply-chain?
• supply chain
The flow of materials, information, money, and services
from raw material suppliers through factories and
warehouses to the end customers.
• e-supply chain
A supply chain that is managed electronically, usually
with Web technologies, and complex mathematical
models.
• Modern Supply-Chain Management (SCM) needs ICT and
quantitative analysis support (because of complexity in
SC: up to 10,000 suppliers; lags in supply; delays in
shipping; particular problem in global supply chains – an
increasingly important part of International Business
activities)
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A Simple Supply Chain
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e-Supply Chains
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SUPPLY CHAIN PARTS
• Upstream supply chain
• Procurement (e-procurement)
The process made up of a range of activities by which
an organization obtains or gains access to the
resources (materials, skills, capabilities, facilities)
they require to undertake their core business
activities.
• Internal supply chain and value chain
(already considered)
• Downstream supply chain
• Ensuring timely delivery to customers and sales
channel
• Ensuring that Customers return and stay loyal
(Customer Relationship Management – Vitally
important nowadays)
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e-Supply Chains
• supply chain management (SCM)
A complex process that requires the coordination
of many activities so that the shipment of goods
and services from supplier right through to
customer is done efficiently and effectively for all
parties concerned.
• e-supply chain management (e-SCM)
The collaborative use of technology to improve the
operations of supply chain activities as well as the
management of supply chains.
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e-Supply Chains
• Activities and Infrastructure of e-SCM
• Supply chain replenishment
• e-procurement (Increasingly important)
The use of Web-based technology to support
the key procurement processes, including
requisitioning, sourcing, contracting, ordering,
and payment.
• Supply chain monitoring and control using
RFID (radio frequency Identification devices:
already mentioned)
• Inventory management using wireless devices
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Collaboration in Supply Chains
• collaborative planning
A business practice that combines the business
knowledge and forecasts of multiple players
along a supply chain to improve the planning
and fulfillment of customer demand.
• Collaborative design and product development
• E-logistics
• Use of B2B exchanges and supply webs
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Infrastructure
• Infrastructure for e-SCM
• Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
• Increasingly using XML for EDI (low-cost;
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platform-independent; Open Source; defines
data properties) www.w3schools.com
Extranets: Access for Business Partners
Intranets: Internal communications
Corporate portals: Access to corporate
information
Workflow systems and tools
Groupware and other collaborative tools
Cloud Computing
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Push vs. Pull Systems of SCM
Source: Chaffey, 2011
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Supply Chain Issues
• TYPICAL PROBLEMS ALONG THE SUPPLY CHAIN
• “bullwhip effect”
Erratic shifts in orders up and down supply
chains.
• THE NEED FOR INFORMATION-SHARING ALONG
THE SUPPLY CHAIN
• E-Commerce SOLUTIONS ALONG THE SUPPLY
CHAIN
• Information Systems massively help in Supply
Chain Management
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Benefits of IS in SCM
Increased efficiency of individual processes
Benefit: reduced cycle time and cost per order
Reduced complexity of the supply chain
Benefit: reduced cost of channel distribution and sale
Improved data integration between elements of the supply chain
Benefit: reduced cost of paper processing
Reduced cost through outsourcing
Benefits: lower costs through price competition;
reduced spend on manufacturing capacity and holding
capacity. Better service quality through contractual
arrangements?
Innovation
Benefit: better customer responsiveness.
Already discussed: See earlier Lecture
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Typical IS Infrastructure for SCM
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RFID: Key Enabler
• radio frequency identification (RFID)
A technology that uses electronic tags (chips)
instead of bar codes to identify items. RFID
readers use radio waves to interact with the tags.
• Helps to manage complex Supply chains
• Good Online Overview:
http://www.polygait.calpoly.edu/tutorial.htm
• Widely adopted for Inventory Control;
• Track progress of components in supply-chains
(JIT “Kanban” Systems, etc.)
• Security; Identification; Vehicle tracking, etc.
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RFID in Action
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RFID in Mfr-Retailer SC
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Limitations of RFID
• LIMITATIONS OF RFID
• For small companies, the cost of the system
may be too high (at least for the near future).
• The lower-frequency systems (300 to 500 KHz)
required for passive tags are much cheaper but
offer a decreased range.
• Radio frequency interference and the limited
range of passive RFID tags also may be
problematic, especially because passive tags
are the most economically viable option for
some businesses.
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Alternatives to RFID
• RUBEE: AN ALTERNATIVE TO RFID?
• RuBee
Bidirectional, on-demand, peer-to-peer radiating
transceiver protocol under development by the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers.
• http://www.rubee.com/page7/page7.html
• http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Enterprise-
Applications/RuBee-Offers-an-Alternative-to-RFID/
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Collaborative Commerce
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Collaborative commerce
(c-commerce)
The use of digital technologies that enable companies to
collaboratively plan, design, develop, manage, and research
products, services, and innovative EC applications.
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Collaboration hub
The central point of control for an e-market. A single
collaborative hub (c-hub), representing one e-market owner,
can host multiple collaboration spaces (c-spaces) in which
trading partners use collaboration enablers (c-enablers) to
exchange data with the c-hub.
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Collaborative Networks
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Collaborative Commerce
• COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS
• Mobile Collaborative Networks
• REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLES OF
e-COLLABORATION
• vendor-managed inventory (VMI)
The practice of retailers making suppliers
responsible for determining when to order and
how much to order.
• Collaborative ecommerce: One aspect of Web 2.0
• Increasingly leading to adoption of cloud
computing
• BARRIERS TO C-COMMERCE
http://xml.coverpages.org/Nervewire200210.pdf
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Collaborative Commerce
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CPFR
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collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment
(CPFR)
Project in which suppliers and retailers collaborate in their
planning and demand forecasting to optimize flow of
materials along the supply chain
advanced planning and scheduling (APS) systems
Programs that use algorithms to identify optimal solutions to
complex planning problems that are bound by constraints.
product lifecycle management (PLM)
Business strategy that enables manufacturers to control and
share product-related data as part of product design and
development efforts.
SUPPORTING JOINT DESIGN
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CPFR (2)
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Web 2.0
• First discussed in 2005
http://oreilly.com/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.html
• A set of principles that seek to encapsulate range
of rapidly developing software tools that
encourage collaboration on the www
• Attempts to capture the power of collaboration
• Has led to development of online social
networking sites – FaceBook, Flickr, Twitter,
LinkedIn, etc
• Google is a key mover: Googledocs; Microsoft
Office 365, etc.
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Web 2.0 Examples
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Web 2.0 Meme Map
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The Cloud
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IT-AS-A-SERVICE. Instead of building your own IT infrastructure to
host databases or software, a third party hosts them in its large
server farms. Your company has access to its data and software
over the internet (which in most IT diagrams is shown as a cloud).
Cheap: IT provider will host services for multiple companies;
sharing complex infrastructure is cost-efficient and you pay only
for what you actually use.
Quick: The most basic cloud services work out of the box; for more
complex software and database solutions, cloud computing allows
you to skip the hardware procurement and capital expenditure
phase - perfect for start-ups.
Up-to-date: Most providers constantly update their software
offering, adding new features as they become available.
Scaleable: If your business is growing fast or has seasonal spikes,
you can go large quickly because cloud systems are built to cope
with sharp increases in workload.
Mobile: Cloud services are designed to be used from a distance, so
if you have a mobile workforce, staff will have access to most of
your systems on the go. E.g. docs.google.com
http://www.infoworld.com/d/cloud-computing/what-cloud-computing-really-means-031
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Supply Chain Integration
• HOW INFORMATION SYSTEMS ARE INTEGRATED
• ENABLING INTEGRATION AND THE ROLE OF
STANDARDS AND WEB SERVICES
• Web Services
An architecture enabling assembly of
distributed applications from software services
and tying them together.
• corporate (enterprise) portal
A gateway for entering a corporate Web site,
enabling communication, collaboration, and
access to company information.
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Corporate (Enterprise) Portals
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Corporate (Enterprise) Portals
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TYPES OF CORPORATE PORTALS
• Types of Generic Portals
• Portals for suppliers and other partners
• Customer portals
• Employee portals
• Executive and supervisor portals
• Mobile portals
Portals accessible via mobile devices, especially cell
phones and PDAs.
• The Functionalities of Portals
• information portals
Portals that store data and enable users to navigate
and query the data.
• collaborative portals
Portals that enable collaboration.
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Enterprise Portals
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Collaboration Tools
• Groupware
Software products that use networks to support
collaboration among groups of people who share
a common task or goal.
• Synchronous Versus Asynchronous Products
• Electronic Meeting Systems
• virtual meetings (e.g. GoToMeeting.com); Skype; IM, etc.
Online meetings whose members are in different locations,
even in different countries.
• Real-Time Collaboration Tools
• Mobile Communication and Collaboration Platforms
• Web Collaboration (INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT)
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Collaboration Tools
• Electronic Teleconferencing
• teleconferencing
The use of electronic communication that allows
two or more people at different locations to have
a simultaneous conference.
• video teleconference
Virtual meeting in which participants in one
location can see participants at other locations
on a large screen or a desktop computer.
• data conferencing
Virtual meeting in which geographically
dispersed groups work on documents together
and exchange computer files during
videoconferences.
• Web conferencing and Webinars
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Collaboration Tools
• Voice-over-IP (VoIP) [e.g. Skype]
Communication systems that transmit voice calls
over Internet–Protocol-based networks.
• Interactive Whiteboards
• screen-sharing software
Software that enables group members, even in
different locations, to work on the same document,
which is shown on the PC screen of each participant.
• Instant Video
• Integration and Groupware Suites
• Lotus Notes/Domino
• OTHER COLLABORATIVE TOOLS AND WIKIS
• IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES FOR ONLINE
COLLABORATION
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Managerial Issues
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How difficult is it to introduce
e-collaboration?
How much can be shared with business
partners?
Who is in charge of our portal and intranet
content?
Who will design the corporate portal?
Should we conduct virtual meetings?
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B2B Infrastructure
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B2B e-commerce is a natural place to exploit and develop
such Framework: Supplier- Facing Information Systems
PO, Invoice and payment processing are well-established
parts of most business IS
Pre-sale (e-procurement) and after-sale (e-CRM) have been
most
open to innovation in B2B EC
RFQ, requisitioning, tendering, negotiation, vendor selection
are all aspects of SRMIS (supplier relationship management
information system)
The whole business operation is ripe for the integration of
IS and inter-process, and inter-organizational systems (IOS).
Successful B2B e-business needs close co-ordination
and information exchange between front-end and
back- end systems
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Integration of B2B with IS Infrastructure
Supplier
Goods
Supplier
Invoice
Organization
Purchase
Order
Supplier
Payment
SRM
RFQ
Shipping
Note
Suppliers
Stock
Control
PO Processing
Accounting
e-Procurement
Replenishment
Order
Requisition
Purchase
Details
SRM or Supply-Chain Management?
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Often used interchangeably (Meier, 1995)
Involves CLOSE co-ordination between many suppliers;
complex products may have > 1000 companies in Supply-Chain
[NO WAY this can be managed without complex software
applications]
SCM is generalisation of Inbound Logistics (in VC) [upstream]
Sometimes also encompasses Outbound Logistics [downstream] transportation to Customers [FedEx; UPS; DHL]
Also includes Material Resource Management, and Enterprise
Resource Planning (ERP) SYSTEMS
CRM encompasses e-marketing
SRM encompasses e-procurement
SCM traditionally seen as HIERARCHICAL process
• Hierarchies coordinate flows (of resources and information) by
controlling and directing them at higher levels in management
hierarchies
• Set up networks of approved (established) suppliers and
managed networks as part of organization’s management
(control) regime
Modern view: SCM moving closer toward market-orientated models.
[Sainsbury]
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Why we need to Manage SC
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Final Customer is the person at the end of the SC who decides
whether to buy, or not.
End Customer brings profit to SC - depending on purchase decisions
and perceived supply efficiencies
Each link in SC (and VC) both internally and externally should
be adding value to the product (service); processes that do not
add value diminish the profit that the organization generates
Q: WHO is the Customer?
• It depends on where we are in the Supply- and Value-Chain
• In B2C, it is very simple; in B2B it is far more complex.
• Customer MAY be end-user, or another OEM in the chain
• In the case of “Platform” companies, the Customer / Supplier
relationships may be extremely complex
• Effective management of SC and VC needs lateral thinking
• Successful organizations (especially in e-business) are those
who take a CUSTOMER-FACING approach [Dell; Cisco; Oracle]
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Retaining Customers
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5 times more effort, time (and cost) to attract new Customer than
to retain an existing one … [Christopher, 1994]
Many Organizations fail to realise this fact, caring only about
making the sale (once) - IDIOTIC STRATEGY
US car market study: Satisfied Customer stays with same
supplier company for 12 years (on average), buying 4 more cars,
worth $400m per annum to the manufacturer!
Christopher indicates that retained Customers are more
profitable
Acquisition cost is high; retained Customers cost less!
Established Customers tend to buy more
Regular Customers place frequent, consistent orders and thus
cost less to service
Their regular purchases can be factored into product forecasts!
Satisfied Customers often refer new ones (WOM marketing)
Satisfied Customers are often prepared to pay premium prices
for a supplier they know and TRUST!
Retained Customers raise the barriers to entry in the industry
and make it difficult for new entrants to gain market share.
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Customer Purchasing Decision
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Will take account of total value package on offer (i.e. total or
differentiating attributes compared with competitors’ offerings)
We looked at this in e-marketing and CRM
Satisfying the end demands of the SC is not only a moving
target, but increasingly, today’s basic needs were yesterday’s
unexpected delights (i.e. Customer expectations are constantly
rising)
Features that delight the Customer today will gradually move
toward spoken needs and on to basic expectations:
Basic spoken needs - regarded as so necessary as not to need
mentioning; if unmet, Customer will be dissatisfied
Spoken needs - requested features that Customer would like as
part of the package; Customer will be satisfied if these are met
Unspoken needs - Unexpected Delights; Customer had not
expected these, nor articulated them and is pleased to receive
them
This all means that the organization needs to move from a
Transactions Focus to a Relationship Focus
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Shift: Relationship Marketing
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Transactions Focus
• Orientation to single
sale
• Discontinuous
Customer contact
• Focus on product
features
• Short timescale
• Little emphasis on
Customer Service
• Limited commitment to
meeting Customer
expectations
• Quality is the concern
of production staff
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Relationship Focus
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Orientation to Customer
retention
Continuous Customer
contact
Focus on product benefits
(for the Customer)
Long timescale
High Customer service
emphasis
High commitment to
meeting Customer
expectations
Quality is the concern of
ALL Staff
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Managing Supply-Chains
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Difficult: Need to have software help
1. SCM Software
2. ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software
Norris et al (2000): SCM is “the collaborative use of
technology to enhance B2B processes and to improve:
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Speed
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Agility
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Real-time Control
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Customer satisfaction
Success depends on:
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Ability of all SC partners to view partner collaboration
as a strategic asset
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Information visibility along the entire SC
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Speed, Cost, Quality and Customers Service [key
metrics!]
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Integrating the SC more tightly
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SC Activities and Infrastructure
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Activities:
• Supply Chain Replenishment
• e-procurement
• SC monitoring using RFID [Radio Frequency Identification Devices]
• Inventory Management using wireless devices [PDAs and XML]
• Collaborative Planning
• Collaborative Design and Product Development
• E-logistics
• Use of B2B and Supply Webs
• EDI [move from internal EDI to Internet-based EDI based on XML]
Infrastructure:
• EXTRANETS
• Intranets
• Corporate Portals
• Workflow Systems and Tools
• Groupware
• Other collaborative tools … the cloud (watch this space)
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Typical SC Problems
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SC Problems have always been a problem:
• Wars lost
• company failures
• Population starvation and disease …
Typical Problems:
• Communication difficulties
• Poor Demand forecasting
• Supply failure [agriculture; war; weather; shipwreck; piracy,
etc]
• Quality problems
• Raw materials shortages
• Strikes
• Civil unrest
• Technical failure, etc
• BULLWHIP EFFECT:
• Erratic shifts in orders up and down the supply-chain
[Davies, 2004] E.G. West Midlands Automotive Sector –
Engines made in China: Potential for Chaos
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IS and Business Intelligence
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What is BI? Business Intelligence: Decision-support and
Performance Monitoring Systems
Business Process that seeks to gather, access, organise,
analyse and use data and information about company
operations
BI aims to help companies to obtain a clear picture of their
performance in their various activities
Performance metrics are often shown graphically (and in
real-time)
These graphical representations are commonly called
Performance Dashboards
We shall examine a few examples of BI systems
Increasingly adopted by leading-edge organizations
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Business Intelligence: Schematic
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Performance Dashboards
Many different types
1. Enterprise performance dashboards
2. Divisional dashboards
3. Process/activity monitoring dashboards
4. Application dashboards
5. Customer dashboards
6. Vendor dashboards
7. Tailored specifically to particular business
http://www.cognos.com
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Performance Dashboard example
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Performance Dashboard
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Educational Example
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Use of SIS and Dashboards
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Can help to manage complex business processes in real-time
Can provide quality decision support for management
Can be used to focus on
• Customers
• Suppliers
• Business Partners
• Processes
• Business Functions
• Emerging issues and trends
• Developing continuous process improvement (CPI)
mindsets
• As a key aid in managing change
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Section Summary
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Basic Web Tools: Software/Hardware/Communications
Client/Server Topologies: Power of Browser Software
The e-supply chain, its characteristics, and its components.
Supply chain problems and their causes.
Solutions to supply chain problems provided by EC.
RFID applications.
C-commerce: Definitions and types.
Collaborative planning and CPFR.
Integration along the supply chain. (Value creation)
Types and roles of corporate portals.
Collaborative tools for Collaborative Commerce.
Business Intelligence Systems – Growth of Analytics.
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