The Role of Web-Sphere for Managing Supply Chain Business Objects in Heterogeneous Systems

Abstract— The study discusses the problem of managing supply chain business objects in heterogeneous systems through the use of Business Process Management Systems (BPMS). The purpose of the research is to summarize the experience of domestic enterprises (operating in logistics and other businesses) when using cloud-based logistics systems; to identify general development trends in the domestic market and to develop recommendations for improving the efficiency of supply chain management based on cloud technologies. The research hypothesis is that the competitiveness of the logistics system grows along with its synergy. To test the hypothesis, a survey of 94 respondents working with such systems has been conducted. It has been found that IBM WebSphere is the most preferable system as it provides the maximum synergistic effect that is achieved by the targeted, coordinated, and mutual operation of two or more digital technologies to achieve a certain common goal. In particular, this stems from the fact that it is not enough to produce quality and essential goods or to provide a service; it is important to be able to convey the message to the consumer. The concept of competition has expanded beyond the boundaries of products (goods or services) and has moved into the sphere of competition among management structures

Impact of Supply Chain Uncertainties on Supply Chain Performance in Manufacturing Companies: Moderating Role of Organisational Centralization

This research paper assesses the role of supply chain uncertainties on the supply chain performance in the manufacturing companies while considering the role of organisational centralisation. This paper has made use of quantitative data where survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 355 employees and managers working in the manufacturing sector. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) has been used as the main data analysis instrument. The results of this paper suggests that supply chain uncertainties cannot be considered as an individual factors during the decision making because the organisation structure play an integral role in explaining the relationship of uncertainties with supply chain performance. The model has suggested that customer demand uncertainty has a significant impact over the supply chain performance due to the sig value obtained from the SEM. However, the remaining factors that are: manufacturing uncertainties, customer delivery uncertainty, and supplier performance uncertainty does not have a significant impact on the supply chain performance of manufacturing companies

Improvement of cargo consolidation in the export logistics process of a zinc refinery: the Nexa Resources Cajamarquilla case study

This research aims to contribute to find a new alternative for the cargo consolidation process at Nexa Resources Cajamarquilla. This process implies the transportation of final products to the external warehouse by wagons, containers filling activities and the transportation of filled containers to port terminals. Qualitative data were collected during semi-structured interviews with managers and professionals from different fields with a high level of experience and background, since a process improvement involves knowing the impact in terms of manufacturing, sales, finance, corporate management and supply chain activities within the company. In terms of content analysis, time and cost, management of shipments and benefits of a new alternative were defined as the three main categories since APM Terminals can provide Nexa Resources with not only the possibility to reduce logistics costs and transportation time, but also the improvement of management of shipment process of the firm. The findings of this research suggest that choosing a new strategy for cargo consolidation process, using LICSA and APM Terminals at the same time will provide the firm with the opportunity to have a significant impact on saving costs and process efficiency; taking into consideration the decision of avoiding a dependence on an exclusive warehouse

Factors influencing demand forecasting and demand planning: a case at an apparel retailer.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.As supply chains and distribution channels extend globally and fashion trends become more controlled by media, customers are not only influenced to change their minds overnight about offerings but also organisations are pushed to become more flexible and agile with regard to efficient planning and forecasting for demand. Today’s supply chain management is successful when it involves the understanding and management of inventory, the complete satisfaction of the ultimate customer and also the delivery of the right quantity of product to various destinations at a faster rate. The business environment has become highly competitive and complex as customers’ demands have become significantly variable, thus pressuring organisations to invest in better demand forecasting and planning tools in order to become more responsive to these demands. The dynamics of the business environment has become one of the main challenges in the planning and forecasting of demand in apparel supply chains. Such supply chains are affected by external and internal factors such technological advancement, globalisation, economic factors, environmental unpredictability, political and legal matters, social issues, poor internal and external collaboration in the supply chains, and the supply chain structures influencing the performance of organisations in the market. This study aims at identifying the impact that each of these factors have on the apparel industry. Each factor was analysed to determine the impact on the forecasting and planning of demand in the apparel industry. The findings are based on a case study that was conducted with one of the biggest apparel retailers in South Africa, namely, Apparel Retailer A. The results of the research reveal that the factors mentioned have a more negative than positive impact on the planning and forecasting of demand within apparel organisations. It was found that Apparel Retailer A needed to invest in better collaboration systems (that allow for real time replenishment) with its supply chain partners in order to be more responsive to the unexpected changes that the organisation consistently experiences in the industry. Furthermore, participants indicated: a need to maintain consistency in the areas where the organisation was well-equipped; a need to invest in a more agile and sustainable supply chain due to the massive growth of competition in the market; and, most importantly, a need to build strategic relationships with the organisation’s supply chain partners, thus allowing the organisation to plan and forecast better for future demand