Typically, SCM attempts to centrally control or link the production, shipment, and distribution of the products. By managing the supply chain, companies are able to cut excess costs and deliver products to the consumer faster.
This is done by keeping tighter control of internal inventories, internal production, distribution, sales, and the inventories of company vendors.
SCM is based on the idea that nearly every product that comes to market results from the efforts of various organizations that make up a supply chain. Although supply chains have existed for ages, most companies have only recently paid attention to them as a value-add to their operations.
In SCM, the supply chain manager coordinates the logistics of all aspects of the supply chain which consists of five parts:
A supply chain is the connected network of individuals, organizations, resources, activities, and technologies involved in the manufacture and sale of a product or service. A supply chain starts with the delivery of raw materials from a supplier to a manufacturer and ends with the delivery of the finished product or service to the end consumer.
SCM oversees each touchpoint of a company’s product or service, from initial creation to the final sale. With so many places along the supply chain that can add value through efficiencies or lose value through increased expenses, proper SCM can increase revenues, decrease costs, and impact a company’s bottom line.