A smarter supply chain - end to end Quality Management

For companies in a “Smarter Planet” it is key that they are globally integrated, interconnected and intelligent. For globally integrated supply chains the large enterprises must rely heavily on their suppliers and their suppliers' suppliers for products, services and software. This increased reliance and dependence requires that an extended supply chain have an effective supplier quality management (SQM) system that provides visibility into this complex system. Essential in this SQM system is the ability to provide an end to end (E2E) process that begins with the concept of a new product and manages it through its extended lifecycle. These supply chains of large enterprises are faced with many daunting challenges such as consistent quality, compliance performance, part management (change control, parts obsolescence, counterfeit parts, etc. ), continuous improvement, inventory management, product security, on time delivery, and environment regulation compliances. An added complexity to the extended supply chain is that over the past several years there have been disruptions in the supply chain as a result of raw materials, demand changes, commodity volatility and fuel price increases. Per Manufacturing Insights “Worldwide Supply Chain 2010 top 10 Predictions” the #5 Prediction: “intelligent Supply Chains will put Broader Visibility Burden on Supply Chain Organizations, both Owned and Outsourced” further driving the need for a strong E2E Quality Management System. [1] Many major enterprises', like IBM, are implementing or considering implementing the use of business intelligence in their E2E supply management system.