A supply chain is the end-to-end processes that start with creating and developing a product or service and it ends when the final product or service is delivered to its users. These processes start from the suppliers of raw materials and end at the end users. Supply management is responsible for forecasting and managing demand as well as for getting the materials and parts, scheduling production, manufacturing, assembly, testing, inventory storage, distribution, and delivery. The supply chain has a complex infrastructure that consists of the following components: Planning, Production, delivery logistics and return processing. All of these components consist of many other sub-components that are essential for a successful supply chain process. This paper will discuss how the internet enhances the supply chain process and will explain how the supply chain process differs from a B2B site to a B2C site.
How the Internet Enhances Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management depends greatly on how efficient the communication flows between all the parties involved in the chain. The Internet is playing a major role on aiding companies with this process. The Internet and the Web allow companies to manage the details of their own internal processes as well as the processes of other members of their supply chains. Members using the software can see past performance, current performance and even predict product production. By using the Internet in supply chain management firms can: share information about customers' demand
receive quick notifications on product design changes
increase the speed of processing transactions
reduce administrative overhead
reduce unnecessary inventory
eliminate obsolete business processes
reduce error in entering data
Supply Chain Differences between B2B and B2C
The steps on a B2B supply chain differ somewhat from those of the B2C chain. B2B in many cases uses...