e-Supply chain

There is no doubt that supply chain order fulfilment is the Achilles heel of the e-business economy. At the beginning of every e-commerce, on-line trading and virtual supply chain there is a factory, a warehouse and a transport. Internet has elevated the performance of information accessibility, currency transactions and data accuracy, but the real effectiveness of supply chain from the source to customer cannot be achieved without the efficient physical movement of goods and materials through the supply chain. Web-based software and e-market places have increased the alternatives available to e-supply chain managers in all types of operations including service industries. More opportunities mean more options and complexity. Therefore, it is vital that a process is in place to monitor the performance of e-supply chain for both virtual and physical activities. A Balanced Scorecard approach of performance management will ensure the sustainability of an e-business when it becomes a stable operation after the project stage.