ABSTRACT
This chapter points to ways to use information to reduce supply chain costs and cycle times. James Morehouse points out that, for many, the tools are already available.
How to use them for both operations and planning “to extend the enterprise” is the challenge. Examples of information of interest to supply chain operators and decision makers include:
Actual sales data
Forecast data
Product design information
Product physical location in the supply chain
New product plans
Trends in markets and sales
Supply chain costs all along the chain
Supply chain capacity
Bills of material (BOMs)
Supply chain configuration data
Issues affecting the usefulness of information include accuracy, timeliness, and fit to the needs of users.
