ToKi - Supply chain as a key to competitiveness
Overview
Background & policy context:
Quantitative analysis of historical supply chain data has proven itself as a useful tool for initiating development actions in a supply chain network. Using time-based performance metrics such as lead times, promised delivery times and delivery punctuality calculated from data extracted from operative control systems, a supply chain network can be analysed and development actions can be recommended.
Vendor managed inventory (VMI) has established itself as a practical model for implementing inter-company supply chain co-operation. Implementing VMI requires a relatively steady demand of items from supplier to customer. This demand needs to be analysed before an implementation decision is made and control parameters can be set. A quantitative analysis of historical supply chain data is useful.
Objectives:
The objectives of the project were:
- to use the VMI model to enhance the competitiveness of SMEs in the area of supply chain management;
- to create a (consulting) service product supported by software and with a price that can be accepted by SMEs.
Methodology:
The approach of the project was to find 6-8 manufacturing SMEs as partners, analyse their supply chains, create a development plan and find one SME ready and willing to implement a VMI solution. The purpose of the project was to show that the transition from the quantitative analysis to the VMI implementation is easy and useful in a situation where VMI is deemed to be the appropriate control model.
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