ABSTRACT
We have described the components supply chain building blocks in Part 2, Chapters 4-9, highlighting the key issues, opportunities and challenges in managing a total supply chain. These features have been further explored with the current trends in Part 3. Now the key question is: how are these building blocks interfaced or integrated to provide the synergy of managing total supply chain as one unit? The processes in each building block are standardized or formalized by systems and procedures. The effectiveness of systems and procedures can be achieved by using sales and operations planning (S&OP) and performance management processes.
