Part-I

Supply Chain Basics

1 Understanding Supply Chain

This chapter covers the basic concepts of supply, supply chain and supply chain management. The value chain and extended supply chain concepts are also covered along with its various linkages. Further role of three flows (inventory, information and cash), four cycles (order fulfillment, replenishment, manufacturing and procurement) and capabilities of service providers are discussed.

2 Role of Logistics in Supply Chain

In this chapter the logistics is defined as an activity, which is essentially based on the information. The chapter covers the detailed discussion on logistics mix such as warehousing, transportation, inventory, material handling & storage, packaging and information flow. Further included is logistics decision hierarchy for making supply chain more cost effective and efficient. The various business processes impacted by logistics are also discussion in details in this chapter.

3 Supply Chain vs. Demand Chain

This chapter covers the concept of demand chain management as a model, which combines the strengths of marketing and SCM by shifting the focus to the customer and designing customer-centered supply chain. Here the concept of demand chain has been addressed from marketing perspective by outlining the roles of marketing and understanding the gaps in value offering processes.

4 Customer Value Through Supply Chain

This chapter starts with the discussion on various dimensions of customer value creation, customer service attributes and phases. The role of customer service in supply chain with service design parameters based on customer service perception is included in this chapter. The chapter also covers the various value added services provided by the business firms through their supply chains.