ABSTRACT
This chapter explains that aligning supply chains requires the technical competence focusing on the 'technical' aspects of the supply chain for example, inventory management, scheduling, and warehouse management. It explores the nature of supply chain relationships and the importance of managing them proactively to gain the competitive advantage. The chapter describes the Supply Chain Collaboration Index (SCCI) which is used to build the customer/supplier cohesion, identify problems that undermine teamwork and provide metrics for the performance measurement, monitoring and continuous improvement. It discusses the methodology that can help organizations enter this spiral of success and achieve the benefits of supply chain collaboration. This chapter focuses on the effective customer service, the SCCI provides the quick, efficient tools to build improve and sustain the key supply chain relationships that deliver value to all who take part in them.
