Supply Chain

A supply chain consists of an entire network with entities which, either directly or indirectly in an interdependent state, serve the same customer. Therefore, typically a supply chain will consist of:

• Vendors who supply raw material
• Producers that help in the conversion of material into products
• Warehouses in which products or raw material may be stored
• Distribution centers which help deliver to retailers
• Retailers that transport the product to the user.

Supply chains are therefore value chains since without supply chains the main task of the producer, of delivering products to the customers, at the time, place and price they want them, is not met. The efficiency of a producer is decided essentially on the efficiency of his supply chain. The producer’s capability to satisfy his customer is severely hampered if there are deficiencies in his supply chain. In such a case the producer cannot compete.

Supply Chain Risk Management

Supply Chain Risk Management is today known as SCRM. SCRM is the subject which addresses the diverse vulnerabilities and threats that may degrade the systems and their individual components when these are obtained from untrustworthy sources or those sources that may provide materials or parts that are inferior.

In modern times the expansion of global business and an increase in the process of outsourcing cause multiple threats and challenges to the very security of systems in the government. It is becoming increasingly difficult to protect the supply chain. SCRM is therefore of the utmost significance towards maintaining government systems safe and viable. SCRM has national priority according to Homeland Security.

To be able to accurately assess SCRM it is necessary to do the following:

• Evaluate the origin of the material
• Assess how the material has been distributed
• Assess also how the decision making process has selected the product
• The concerned engineer will need to comprehend the management process governing the materials used in the
  supply chain process
• the emerging threat and
• The current challenges to the supply chain.
• Only then will the engineer be in a better position to assess which of the systems and components, the software or the processes or the issues of the workforce are associated with weaknesses or vulnerabilities.

SCRM and Mobile Interface

In diverse applications governing an enterprise, the use of a mobile interface has improved the access of data while also accelerating workflow. It is no longer simply extending the user interface to a handheld device but the use of mobility to help transform the business process itself. Mobility is now bringing about a transformation in the process of SCRM because of the very nature of the immediacy in the delivery of data which includes major information relevant to decision support. In many cases mobility helps in the improvement of the ability to take action immediately when revenue may be at risk.

Further, the mobile SCRM has made it possible for the executives to become the new class of its users. Owing to direct engagement of executives, the process can be transformed with the elimination of escalations and the streamlining in the process of making decisions. The use of the mobile interface has now made it possible to provide immediate access to dashboards whenever there is a grave supply chain risk wherein the executive can quickly filter events and based on the severity acquire critical details such as ‘revenue at risk’.

Today executives can assess this amazing concept of intelligence readily available at one’s fingertips. The daily risks to the supply chain management solutions can never be out of sight or mind. Mobile triggered information access and workflow can now be increasingly associated with issues such as:

• Risk identification
• Prioritization and
• Mitigation process.

The Amazing Capability of Today’s Phones

Today diverse tools are at use in a typical enterprise. These include tablets and PCs as well as smart phones with their excellent cameras. These smart phones have made the task of accessing of personnel involved in handling emergencies and sharing with them the pictures of the emergency which may be a flood or fire, easy.

Finally, the words used by Lou Ferretti, Project Executive at IBM may be prophetic when he says “Mobility will be the key to making sure resiliency remains a competitive advantage for us.”