Supply_chain_management_software

Supply chain management software (SCMS) is a business term which refers to a range of software tools or modules used in executing supply chain transactions, managing supplier relationships and controlling associated business processes.

While functionality in such systems can often be broad – it commonly includes:

1. Customer requirement processing
2. Purchase order processing
3. Inventory management
4. Goods receipt and Warehouse management
5. Supplier Management/Sourcing

A requirement of many SCMS often includes forecasting. Such tools often attempt to balance the disparity between supply and demand by improving business processes and using algorithms and consumption analysis to better plan future needs Developing Quality Complex Database Systems: Practices, Techniques, and Technologies By Shirley A. Becker. SCMS also often includeS integration technology that allows organizations to trade electronically with supply chain partners. Strategic Supply Chain Alignment: Best Practice in Supply Chain Management By John L. Gattorna

Dedicated Supply Chain Tools vs ERP Systems

While many organizations utilize ERP solutions to satisfy supply chain needs, many supply chain management software solutions are available as stand alone tools. Evolution of Supply Chain Management Software - Supplychainmechanic.com. SCMS can be differentiated from ERP solutions as they don\'t include the breadth of functionality of a full ERP (for example SCMS may not include HR or manufacturing modules.) Stand alone systems include inventory optimization tools, sourcing tools, supplier relationship management and spend analysis systems which can be used either independently or integrated with ERP solutions.

References

Further reading

http://www.lionhrtpub.com/orms/orms-6-03/frscm.html - Supplychain management software survey

See also

List of Supply chain management software vendors on wikipedia

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia