Streamlining Supply Chain Operations Using Technology

The firm is employing different automated order placing technology to streamline its supply chain operation and reduce wastage. Additionally, the company uses the just-in-time technique by placing orders when the need arises, which helps in maintaining low inventory levels and reducing costs. This approach has led to significant improvements in sales, profits, and buyer satisfaction.

STRATEGIC SUPPLY CHAIN
MANAGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................2
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW .........................................................................................................2
2.1 Supply Chain management ..............................................................................................2
2.2 Importance of supply chain management.........................................................................2
2.3 Supply chain management techniques .............................................................................3
3.0 CASE STUDY ANALYSIS .....................................................................................................4
3.1 Responsibility to handle the supply chain operation of Meteor Sports Company...........4
3.2 Supply chain network of firm..........................................................................................5
3.3 Supply chain strategy of Meteor Sports Company..........................................................5
3.4 Supplier of Meteor Sports Company................................................................................6
3.5 Supply chain related issue faced by Meteor Sports company .........................................6
3.6 Efforts made by the cited company with an aim to synchronize its supply chain operation 7
3.7 Automatic order placing technique used by Meteor Sports Company ............................7
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

Illustration Index
Illustration 1: Product Distribution channel.....................................................................................5
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
Supply chain management is the function which is used with an aim to control and
manager the supply of goods and services within firm (Strategic supply chain operation, 2015).
This department has strategic role within firm. It is due to the fact that it is with the help of given
department only, the needs and demands of the buyers can be fulfilled by the corporation in an
effective manner (Beliën and Forcé, 2012). Thus, it helps in raising the sales and profitability
related condition of organization in an effectual way. In this report, the supply chain operation as
being followed by the Meteor Sports Company will be analysed. This company will be used as
the case study. Meteor Sports Company is the shoe retailer which operates its operation in
London, UK. Here, with an aim perform the same assistance will be taken from the views and
opinions as being suggested by the different researchers.
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
In this section, themes are formed with the context of strategic supply chain management
operation. The detailed explanation about the same is depicted in below:
2.1 Supply Chain management
According to the view point of Cao and Zhang (2011) Supply chain management is the
controlling process which control all the movement of raw material right from the manufacturer
to the final users of goods and services. In addition to this, Estampe and et.al., (2013) have stated
that supply chain management is the process which streamline the supply chain management
activities of the firm and it assists firm with regard to maintain the satisfaction of its buyer in an
effectual way. The statement as being depicted by the authors is correct. This is because, it has
been identified that buyers feel highly dissatisfied when they will not receive their ordered goods
and services within stipulated time period. This problem of firm can be resolved with the help of
supply chain function. Thus, by taking help from this function benefit can be gained by
corporation in terms of increased profit and sales.
2.2 Importance of supply chain management
As per the view point of Giannakis and Louis (2011) Supply chain management has its
importance as it help firm with regard to resolve their wastage related issue in an effectual way.
The view as being presented by the author is right. Here, wastage of product is being consider as
one of the most common problem which is being faced by all firm irrespective of their industry.
This issue can be resolved with the help of supply chain management department. This
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department prepares proper database for the type of products which needs to be ordered by the
firm. Thus, through this way only proper management of all goods will be carried and this leads
to reduce the wastage within firm. However, it has been critically evaluated by the Heng and
et.al., (2005) that the effectiveness of supply chain department thoroughly rely upon the R&D
section. The statement of authors is also right. This is because, R&D section of corporation
provides information regarding the goods which is highly popular among customers. Here, on
the basis of given information only, decision regarding the quantity of specific type of product is
taken which needs to be ordered by the supply chain department of enterprise.
In addition to this, as per the view point of Sridharan and et.al., (2005) Supply chain
management operation of firm helps in raising the profits of firm. The sales and profitability
related condition of country thoroughly depends upon its services which also involve the part of
delivering the goods within given specified time limit. Good quality of services helps in
enhancing the satisfaction of customers. This helps firm in enhancing their sales and profits in an
appropriate way.
2.3 Supply chain management techniques
Jespersen and Skjott-Larsen (2005) have stated that Just in time is being regarded as one
of the most inventory management technique. The view which is being depicted by the author is
right. This philosophy is being applied by all the manufacturing firm. This philosophy states that
firm must make the order of goods when it is being required in the production process. Here, by
complying with the given type of activity, firm can direct control over the inventory cost.
Thereby, manager of organization can increase its efficiency and can decrease the wastage of
goods. In addition to this, the given approach is effective and it can be used by other firm also by
performing some modifications. In this context, Harrison and Hoek (2008) have stated that retail
firm can also use this approach. For example, here retail firm can place the order to goods
whenever it is being demanded by the customers. Here, by complying with the given type of
activity firm can reduce the cost of maintaining the goods and services. Thereby, firm can also
direct control over the wastage type of condition in an effective manner.
In addition to this, Coyle and et.al., (2008) have also depicted that Radio frequency
identification (RFID) is being regarded as an effective approach of managing the supply chain
operation. The thing which is being depicted by the author is also correct. It is the type of tags
which is being used by the firm with an aim to track the information about the products. With the
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help of given approach, enterprise can track the order which is being placed by it and on the
basis of it, manager of firm can communicate the exact date of delivering the goods to the
respective customers. Thus, it can be said that this technique is appropriate in synchronizing the
supply chain function of firm in an effectual way.
According to the view point of Blanchard (2010)Stock control system is another type of
approach which firm uses with an aim to automate its supply chain operation. This technique has
been employed by many firms and they have been taking the advantage of the same. Here, with
the help of this method firm can take the information about the particular product which needs to
be ordered by them. Through this way, firm can maintain the satisfaction of its buyers in an
effectual way.
3.0 CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
3.1 Responsibility to handle the supply chain operation of Meteor Sports Company
Meteor Sports Company is the shoe retailer which sale different type of shoes through its
store which is in London. Here, all the shoe supply chain management related operation of cited
firm is being managed by the store manager. In this context, it has the responsibility with regard
to make the order to goods whenever the need of same is being arises. In addition to this, the
store manager of Meteor Sports Company also ensure that it must possess wide varieties of shoes
which are in trend and which has been liked and demanded by the many customers. Here, with
an aim to fulfill the given responsibility, store manager of Meteor Sports Company takes timely
feedback and reviews from its customers. In this regard, it prepares questionnaire which is being
filled by it from all the customers who visit the store (Yu, 2013).
Here, in the questionnaire manager ask the questions about the type and quality of shoes
which is being liked by them. Here, on the basis of given information only store manager makes
the order of respective goods. In addition to this, with an aim to get the information about the
type of product which needs to be place in store, manager of Meteor Sports Company regularly
reviews the fashion trends prevailing in the market. Here, it is by complying with the given type
of activity only manager of cited firm carries out the supply chain operation in an effectual
manner. Thereby, it maintains the satisfaction of its customers in an effectual way.
Besides this, in order to carry out its roles and responsibilities in an appropriate way,
store manager take help from number of tools and techniques such as Just in time approach and
stock control system etc.
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3.2 Supply chain network of firm
Supply chain network of firm is quite simple and in this network it plays the role of
retailer. In this regard, it has been analyzed that Meteor Sports Company place the order to good
which is being needed by it to the manufacturer of the same. Here, the goods which it receives
will be sold by the corporation directly to the customers (One level distribution channel, 2015).
In accordance with the given context, it can be said that the Meteor Sports Company uses one
level distribution network. In this context, on the basis of analyzing the varied literature it has
been identified that one level distribution network is the effective approach as it provides
opportunity to the firm with regard to establish the direct contact with its customers in an
effectual manner (Patel and Patel, 2013). Through this way, Meteor Sports Company can assess
the specific needs and demands of its buyers. Thereby, it can maintain the order to particular type
of shoes appropriately. Through such type of efforts, Meteor Sports Company can perform
significant improvement in its sales and profits within the stipulated time period.
3.3 Supply chain strategy of Meteor Sports Company
Supply chain strategy is the practice of handling the supply chain operation of firm
appropriately. In this regard, it has been assessed that Meteor Sports Company take help from
Japanese philosophy such as just in time (JIT) with an aim to manage all the operation associated
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Illust
ration 1: Product Distribution channel
(Source: Product distribution channel, 2015)

with the company effectually. In accordance with the given context, the literature review section
also state that just in time is being regarded as one of the most effective technique. This is
because, it helps in making action towards that particular problem which is generally being faced
by the manager of many firms. It is of increase wastage of product.
In this regard, it can be said that just in time policy state that the firm must place the order
of good and raw material whenever it is being demanded by the firm. Here, the main objective of
this approach is to establish control over that particular costs which is being incurred when
enterprise has to maintain the stock of that particular product which is not currently in demand
(Just in time, 2015). This philosophy has its implication in manufacturing firm. But, Meteor
Sports Company is also employing it. In this regard, it can be said that the firm is using the same
policy but in different manner. Here, firm prepares the database of all the product or shoe which
is being demanded by the majority of the customers. Thus, here on the basis of majority ratio
only, firm keeps the stock of respective shoes. Through this way, firm is improving its
organizational efficiency. In addition to this, it is by complying with the given type of activity
only Meteor Sports Company is performing significant improvement in its sales and profits in an
effectual way. However, it has been evaluated that the success of given approach totally depends
upon the supplier. In this regard, it can be said that if the supplier of Meteor Sports Company
will not deliver the good to it within the given specified time period then in this circumstance it
will become difficult for the firm with regard to make the practical implication of this approach.
As a result of it whole supply chain management function of cited enterprise will be impacted in
a negative way (Voznenko and Roman, 2015). Thus, it can be said that JIT approach is effective
but its success thoroughly depends upon the supplier of corporation in an effective manner.
3.4 Supplier of Meteor Sports Company
Sub-contractor, licenses and agents are the main supplier of cited company. Here, the
firm contract with varied agents as well sub contractor with an aim to fulfill its product related
demand. Here, it is with the help of given suppliers only the firm will be able to carry out the
practical implementation of the all the technique of supply chain operation in an appropriate
manner.
3.5 Supply chain related issue faced by Meteor Sports company
Each and every function of enterprise possess some kind of issues. In this regard, it can
be said that wastage of goods is being regarded as one of the most common issues which is being
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face by many firm irrespective of their industry. The Meteor Sports Company is also going
through with the given issues but reason is different from other firms. Here, wastage of good
occur when demand with respect to the particular type of shoes decline. The demand of shoe
decline when customers does not find it much trendy or out of fashion. Thus, for the firm it is
necessary that it must not kept the much stock of specific type of shoe (Xiong, 2014). In addition
to this, it is also required by the firm that it must review the needs and demands of its buyers on
regular basis. In this regard, it is assessed that Meteor Sports Company is using the given
approach and it is the reason it why cited firm will not go through with the given type of issues
on constant and regular bases.
3.6 Efforts made by the cited company with an aim to synchronize its supply chain operation
For the firm, it is very necessary that it must synchronized its supply chain operation with
the use of an appropriate approach. It is due to the fact that through synchronization effectiveness
of the supply chain operation can be enhanced and because of it sales and profitability related
condition of corporation can be impacted in a positive way. In this regard, it has been analysed
that with an aim to synchronize the supply chain operation, Meteor Sports Company take help
from the approach such as RFID (Radio frequency identification). It is the high tech tracking
device which is used to track the order which is being placed by the manager of corporation. In
this regard, it has also being assessed from the literatures that with the help of this approach firm
can maintain the satisfaction level of buyers. Here, the satisfaction level of customer is impacted
when they will not receive the goods and services within particular time frame. Thus, with an
aim to resolve the given issue Radio frequency identification technique play very critical role.
Here, RFID is the small electronic chip which carry around 2000 bytes data. This
technique is used with an aim to track the order of goods which is being placed by the cited firm.
Here, with the help of given technique only appropriate time for delivering the goods to the
buyers can be assessed by the store manager of Meteor sports company (Fawcett, Ellram and
Ogden, 2014). Thereby, here firm will get the benefit in the form of increased profits and sales in
an effectual way. However, there are some problems associated with the given technique. It is of
reader and tag collision. Here, reader collision occur when the signals of two or more reader
overlap. Due to this, it became very difficult for the firm with regard to track the tag of their
respective order. Thus, the given circumstance leads to hamper all supply chain operation (Lee
and Lam, 2012).
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3.7 Automatic order placing technique used by Meteor Sports Company
The supply chain management of firm has improved a lot due to the significant
amendment and improvement in the latest technology. In this context, it has also being assessed
that Meteor Sports Company is taking help from stock control system. It is being consider as one
of the most effective supply chain management system. This is because, it enables firm such as
Meteor Sports Company with respect to take the action towards the issue of product wastage.
Here, in this system order is placed as per the condition prevailing in the store section of firm.
For example, manager of Meteor Sports Company has identified that it does not have sufficient
stock white colour sports shoe. Then in this condition, the given tracking system automatically
gives the information about the particular good to the respective buyers. Here, by placing order
as per given information cited firm can maintain the satisfaction of its buyers in an effective
manner (Waters and Rinsler, 2014). In addition to this, the given system also give prior warning
to the firm regarding the specific type of good. Here, as per given information Meteor Sports
Company can set its direction towards the right path. Thus, it can streamline its supply chain
function in an effective way. However, the effectiveness of this approach will be occur when the
corporation possess the team of competent individual who have the knowledge and information
regarding the ways of using the given method within enterprise (Sarkis, 2012).
CONCLUSION
Articulating all the facts from the report, it can be stated that the supply chain
management strategy which Meteor Sports Company is using is appropriate. This is because, it is
taking help from all latest tools and techniques in order to perform the supply chain activity
appropriately. In this context, it is identified that Meteor Sports Company is using high tech
product tracking approach such as radio frequency identification in order to track the order of
ordered good. In similar way, the firm is also employing different automated order placing
technology. This is being used by the corporation for the purpose to streamline its supply chain
operation. Furthermore, it is with the help of given approach only significant action is being
taken by the firm towards the wastages type of condition.
In addition to this, just in time is another technique which is also being used by the
manager of cited corporation. Here, by using the given method firm place the order to goods at
the time when the need of same is most. Through this way, firm is taking action towards the
problem such as cost of maintaining the stock. Thus, it is through such type of efforts only firm
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is performing significant improvement in its sales and profits. Through given means only
satisfaction level of buyers is also being enhanced by the corporation.
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Beliën, J. and Forcé, H., 2012. Supply chain management of blood products: A literature
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implementation. London: Pearson.
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management. Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management. 17(1). pp. 23-31.
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Voznenko, N. and Roman, T., 2015. FEATURES OF LOGISTIC SYSTEM ADAPTIVE
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