Intelligent Decision Models: Getting the Most out of Supply Chain Management

This Manufacturing Insights report outlines the need to establish an intelligence platform strategy or value-loop applications to support broader and more timely decision making in supply chain. We address the overall needs for creating awareness, analysis, and action applied to each of the key levels of supply chain decisions, along with a context for overall time horizons and flow of information to support required levels of decision. This report further outlines:

An architecture for intelligent decision models A framework of information technology and supply chain economics to context supply chain decisions A broader concept of saddle-point benchmarking to assess an individual company's capabilities for fostering a more intelligent supply chain A plan to set priorities and develop action planning among IT and functional supply chain teams

"Manufacturing companies will continue to compete not only on the basis of innovation in products and services but also on supply chain capability. Competitiveness, as well as profitability, will reside with those companies that can demonstrate a more intelligent supply chain, predict or anticipate customer demands, and leverage all forms of information and quicker decision making as a substitute for inventory and cost." — Bob Ferrari, director, Supply Chain Services, Manufacturing Insights