Virtual supply-chain management

Abstract

In global business competition, companies believe greater transparency in supply-chain operations and collaboration is very important for success. Transparency brings accountability and responsibility. This openness in the supply-chain allows companies to see how their suppliers are performing, from their sourcing of raw materials to their delivery to the retail outlet. Achieving greater transparency in the supply chain requires the development of comprehensive e-Logistics tools, which provide all players with open communication and shared information in every stage of the order-to-delivery process. Supply-chain transparency in ordering, inventory and transportation is a prerequisite for optimization and is critical for making business decisions. In this paper, the experiences of a virtual supply-chain (VSC) company are discussed with reference to the strategies, methods and technologies of its supply-chain. The supply-chain aims for improved customer satisfaction and hence for overall competitiveness in a global market. This discussion will be useful for other companies intending to emulate some of the critical success factors in VSC management.