Assignment: Distribution Strategy Of A Manufacturing Company
Write a 700 word white paper for a consulting company about the supply chain and distribution strategy of a manufacturing company, based on a library article.
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
• Competency 1: Design a supply chain to support an organizational strategy.
o Explain why a company's supply chain strategy is successful.
• Competency 2: Improve efficiency in the supply chain.
o Describe the main challenges facing a company.
• Competency 3: Manage a supply chain in order to satisfy customers.
o Describe how a company has changed its supply chain to satisfy its customers.
• Competency 4: Communicate in a professional manner that is consistent with expectations for supply chain managers and participants.
o Exhibit proficiency in writing, critical thinking, and academic integrity by appropriately attributing sources.
Supply Chain Basic Functions
The functions basic to all supply chains are:
• Planning.
• Sourcing.
• Making.
• Delivering.
Fundamental decisions are required from supply chain managers to define strategy in developing a supply chain that will effectively meet these four requirements.
Supply Chain Planning
Planning or forecasting includes decisions needed to define operations of the other four supply chain functions. Three approaches to supply chain planning are:
• Demand forecasting.
• Product pricing.
• Inventory management.
Sourcing or procurement involves decisions that determine the source of the resources that a firm requires for operations. This function traditionally included activities such as purchasing, consumption management, vendor selection, contract negotiation, and contract management. Recent global developments and trends in outsourcing have made this a dynamic changing role for supply chain managers.
Making or producing is the economic process of converting resources into goods and services. Typical activities in this function include product development and design, operations facility management, and production scheduling.
Distribution or delivering can include order management, delivery scheduling, and order processing. Inventory placement and delivery centers are of prime importance in supply management as the cost effectiveness of the entire system can rely upon the efficient delivery function.
For this assessment, consider that you work as a business analyst for a consulting firm that specializes in helping clients improve their operations and associated processes. Your manager asked you to write a white paper that they will use to demonstrate how your firm can help clients implement best practices in their supply chains and distribution channels, and you and your manager selected Dell as the subject of the white paper.
Dell has been selling computers for over 25 years with its unique, direct build-to-order sales model.
As part of your research into Dell's supply chain and distribution strategy, you identified related articles in the Capella library (linked in the Resources under the Required Resources heading) that you decided to use to help you write your white paper. You and your manager decided your white paper should address the following points:
• Analyze why Dell's supply chain strategy is successful.
• Describe the main supply chain challenges that Dell is now facing and provide strategies to effectively overcome the challenges.
• Analyze how Dell has changed its supply chain to satisfy its customers. As an example, was Dell's decision to sell its products via retail outlets a viable solution? Do you agree with this distribution strategy? Why or why not?
Based on the intended audience, your report should be well organized and written in clear, succinct language. Target 700 words. Attributing sources in your professional and academic work supports your analysis and conclusions and demonstrates ethical behavior and academic honesty. Following APA rules for attributing sources provides consistency and ensures that readers can locate original sources if desired.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
Use transcipt also:
Weather can impact a supply chain:
The tsunami in Japan interrupted global supply chains. Automotive assembly plants had to halt production to due shortages of parts out of Japan. The automotive supply chain is as complex as it gets. There are approximately 20,000 parts in a car, and if only one of those parts is unavailable, the finished product cannot be shipped. When a critical supplier is unable to produce material, the entire system breaks down.
Labor Issues can impact a supply chain:
A three-week labor strike at the port of Auckland, New Zealand which included all port workers, plus over 3,000 truck drivers shut down any imports into or exports out of Auckland. Port workers and truck drivers were striking since wage and benefits negotiations had collapsed.
War can impact a supply chain:
The threat of an air strike on the Iran nuclear facilities which could lead to a Middle East war has forced oil prices to increase, impacting many manufacturers and consumers. If a war actually begins, the price of oil could jump since supply lines will be closed.
Electrical power outage can impact a supply chain:
About 70,000 homes and businesses were without electricity for an extended period of time in Sydney, Australia, causing factories, air and seas port operations to shut down. Power outages are more prevalent and serious in the summer time when there is the peak electrical demand.
Political conflicts can impact a supply chain:
The political uprisings in Egypt have caused economic turmoil since factories have ground to a halt, investment has declined sharply, and companies are moving operations out of Egypt, all due to the political uncertainty in the country.