University Supply Chain Technologies Analysis and Impact Report

This report provides an analysis of the role of technologies in modern supply chains. It examines how various technologies, including Automatic Identification Technology (bar-coding, RFID, and voice inputs), Communication Technology (EDI, GPS, and web-based tracking), and Information Technology (ERP and AITS), affect supply chain processes. The report discusses the positive and negative impacts of these technologies, highlighting how they have changed supply chain functions and interactions among partners. The conclusion emphasizes that innovative technology enhances supply chain performance and quality by improving efficiency and effectiveness. The report covers the various stages of the supply chain, from suppliers to end customers, emphasizing the importance of technology in optimizing distribution, data processing, and overall supply chain management.

Running head: SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNOLOGIES
Supply Chain Technologies
Name of the Student
Student ID:
Name of University
Author Note

1SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNOLOGIES
Executive Summary:
The aim of the report was to analyze the role technologies used in modern supply chains. The
review aims to discuss how technology affects the supply chain and what positive and negative
effects it has on the process. A number of examples of such technology used in supply chain has
been analysed in the review like Automatic Identification Technology, Communication
Technology and Information Technology. It has been also elaborated how these technologies has
changed the way supply chains functions and chain partners interact with each other. The report
concludes that innovative technology is a medium that helps to enhance the supply chain
performance and quality by enhancing overall efficiency and potency in the supply chain.

2SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNOLOGIES
Table of Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................3
Discussion:.......................................................................................................................................3
The Technologies Being Used In Modern Supply Chains Are Grouped Into:................................3
1. Automatic Identification Technology......................................................................................4
 Bar- Coding..........................................................................................................................4
 Radio Frequency Identification (RFID):..............................................................................5
 Voice inputs:.........................................................................................................................5
2. Communication Technology.......................................................................................................5
 Electronic Data Interchange (EDI):......................................................................................6
 Geographical positioning System (GPS):.............................................................................6
 Web Based Tracking:...........................................................................................................6
3. Information Technology (IT)...................................................................................................6
 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP):...................................................................................6
 Automated Inventory Tracking System (AITS):..................................................................7
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
References........................................................................................................................................9

3SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNOLOGIES
Introduction:
Supply Chain is a standout amongst the most vital business areas in any organizational
facility. Supply chain is the point in the operation process that determines distribution efficiency
and also directly influences the quality of the product that a customer buys. Supply chain consists
of various important stages that are required while satisfying customer requests (Brandenburg et
al. 2014). It begins when the product passes through the producer, distributor and retailer to
finally reach the desired end customer. In other terms the supply chain management is the
overview of the products/materials, data and finances during the ongoing process of moving
from suppliers to producers to wholesaler to retailer to end customer (Christopher 2016).
Discussion:
The advents of new technologies in business are helping to create strategic conveniences
for the companies to adopt a competitive ground of advantages in a multitude of functional areas
of management including the area of supply chain management. It can also be stated that the
amount of success is totally dependent on the utilization of technologies for the concerned
application, management and culture policies and the organizational infrastructure (Rushton
Croucher and Baker 2014). In Supply chains use of automation and communication innovation
through technology has considerably increased identification speed, gathering of data, processing
of data, analysis of data and transmission of the data, with relatively higher level of reliability
and accuracy. In many ways technology has enhanced how business conducts their supply chain
process. Technology has enable business to be more competitive and increased the overall
performance (Lin 2014).

4SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNOLOGIES
The Technologies Being Used In Modern Supply Chains Are Grouped Into:
1. Automatic Identification Technology
2. Communication technology
3. Information Technology
1. Automatic Identification Technology
Automatic Identification term is used to describe direct input of information and data to a
computer system, logic controller or a device useing micro processor without the manual input
from a keyboard. The technology group includes Bar-coding, voice inputs and Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID). Automatic Identification is used in tracking of packages, cartons
containers or vehicles carrying goods while on time bound dispatch to customers. Significant
benefits of Automatic Identification are like accuracy, savings in cost, increase in seed and
ability to instantaneously store data and process information (Ross 2016).
 Bar- Coding: It is sequence of unique line parallel to one other with defined thickness
and spaces present in between the bars are also items of information in a coded form
where the variations on line indicate certain part of the information. Bar-Codes can be
read with the help of barcode scanners. Advantages of Bar- Coding include.
 Ease in identification of items in the time of storage, pickup, dispatch and
billing.
 Reduce manual paperwork and processing time.
 Reduction in human error.
 Increase in productivity through accuracy, speed and reliability.
Impact of Bar- Coding in supply chain management are seen in every slept of the process
like procurement process where the product brought in from suppliers are assigned

5SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNOLOGIES
unique Bar-Codes containing the item name , serial number , batch number and so on.
The information on the assigned Bar-Code helps to identify and track the product.
Processing and scanning the Bar-code will provide the identification base on the entry
date into the store. In production operation identification of goods in production process
and finished product gets easier with Bar-coding. Similarly in Distribution operation Bar-
codes helps to identify and track products in transit.
 Radio Frequency Identification (RFID): RFID is an Automatic Identification and Data
Capture (AIDC) technology. It allows reading with no physical contact and has been
effective in manufacturing and environments were bar-codes cannot survive. It wirelessly
exchanges data between tagged item and the reader. RFID is the technology used in
Radio Frequency Tag (RFT) which is a silicon chip that is programmable and the
memory is erasable (Jones and Chung 2016.). The coded data is stored in the chips and
can be read through assigned readers with the help of radio waves. RFTS can be attached
to anything from trains to people. It avoids the hassle of paperwork and is more durable
than printed Bar-codes. RFID has significant impact on supply chain management like
improvement in ability to better manage inventory, improve efficiency of complex
distribution process, and enable automatic toll collection in highways (Liu 2015).
 Voice inputs: In distribution centre applications; it enables the specialist or the employee
to input the information into a computer without utilizing the use of any keboard or
console. It helps keep the distribution centre specialists hands free to allow easy pickup,
pack and review of the products involved.

6SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNOLOGIES
2. Communication Technology
Communication, either oral form or written is an exceptionally significant part in context
of business achievements. The accompanying are some of the rising communication
advancements, that are empowering influences for better client benefit driving leading through
the speed and precision in correspondence.
 Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): EDI technology is utilized in the exchange of
business records from one system to another. With the use of EDI business records, for
example, solicitations and checks can be sent electronically starting from one system then
onto the next. So yes EDI is a drive towards paperless archive exchanges. There are
associated benefits of EDI with include
 Faster Transaction: real time transfer of document in supply chain.
 Cost reduction due to the paperless process.
 Time reduced in order cycle and inventory.
 Geographical positioning System (GPS): GPS is guidance and positioning system that
can when embedded to a vehicle and any person that can be traced with utmost accuracy
by utilizing various Geo Stationary Satellites and it has an accuracy of almost a meter
(Leick Rapoport and Tatarnikov 2015).
 Web Based Tracking: With this the clients can track their shipments with the help off
the internet. This data helps in the overall planning of the dispatch schedules and also
follow up with the concerned clients for the means of payment collections.

7SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNOLOGIES
3. Information Technology (IT)
IT includes gear and programming that stores, examinations and give information
wherever it is required. Since the store network administrator is described as arrangement of
affiliations, these affiliations cannot shape a framework unless they are related through IT, when
looking into straight forwardness in the production network and modifying the inventory
network practices towards customer. IT tools used in supply chain management Includes
 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): ERP is incorporated in programming,
enveloping of all the various business related operations and to realize the huge changes
in the way various individuals work. ERP is a form of business arrangement that delivers
to certain noted issues in business. ERP is exceptionally expensive and a very complex
exercise which requires a certain degree of adequate measure of arrangements.
Advantages of ERP includes
 Response to customer is quicker.
 Inventory cost is reduced
 Improvement in service levels both internal and external.
 Industry turnover rate is improved.
 Automated Inventory Tracking System (AITS): The AITS is an IT gadget that gives a
continuous status of the stock levels of the various numbers of things at retail stores,
feeder and mother distribution centres. For assessing the items sold, information is passed
on directly to the supplier after that the items stock level is checked at feeder and mother
distribution hub. (Griesmann et al. 2014).

8SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNOLOGIES
Conclusion
Technology is tool to improve supply network competitiveness and execution by upgrading the
general viability and proficiency of coordination framework. Consequently picking the correct
innovations required for different supply exercises or in sub-forms is exceptionally urgent for
any business to gain a increased upper hand in the present day aggressive market.

9SUPPLY CHAIN TECHNOLOGIES
References
Brandenburg, M., Govindan, K., Sarkis, J. and Seuring, S., 2014. Quantitative models for
sustainable supply chain management: Developments and directions. European Journal of
Operational Research, 233(2), pp.299-312.
Christopher, M., 2016. Logistics & supply chain management. Pearson UK.
Griesmann, D.S., Ekl, R.L. and Jain, B., Motorola Solutions, Inc., 2014. Method and apparatus
for optimizing reader power consumption by varying poll parameters in an automated inventory
tracking system. U.S. Patent 8,681,001.
Jones, E.C. and Chung, C.A., 2016. RFID and Auto-ID in Planning and Logistics: A Practical
Guide for Military UID Applications. CRC Press.
Leick, A., Rapoport, L. and Tatarnikov, D., 2015. GPS satellite surveying. John Wiley & Sons.
Lin, H.F., 2014. Understanding the determinants of electronic supply chain management system
adoption: Using the technology–organization–environment framework. Technological
Forecasting and Social Change, 86, pp.80-92.
Liu, L., 2015. Research on the Key Technology of RFID and Its Application in Modern
Logistics.
Ross, D.F., 2016. Introduction to e-supply chain management: engaging technology to build
market-winning business partnerships. CRC Press.
Rushton, A., Croucher, P. and Baker, P., 2014. The handbook of logistics and distribution
management: Understanding the supply chain. Kogan Page Publishers.
Zawawi, N.F., Wahab, S.A. and Al-Mamun, A., 2014. Information Technology, Logistics
Performance and Moderating Effect of Firm Size: A Conceptual Model in Malaysian
Perspective. In International Seminar on Entrepreneurship and Business (ISEB 2014).