Pursuing Operational Excellence: From Supply Chain Operation to Supply Chain Automation

HENNING, GABRIELA; WASSICK, JOHN

San Diego

Conferencia; PSE 2018 - 13th International Symposium on Process Systems Engineering; 2018

Computer Aids for Chemical Engineering, CACHE

Despite the fact the supply concept has been around for more than thirty years, it does not show the same level of development than other process operations fields. In particular, if we draw a comparison between the enterprise and the suply chain, it is possible to notice that there are well established approaches to tackle all the enterprise planning problems, going from the strategic to the control level. However, if the supply chain is carefully analyzed it can be seen that it does not have all the levels equally developed. In particular, there are weaknesses at the operational level; the supply chain is not properly automated and controlled. According to Wassik (2017) it is possible to advance towards supply chain automation as a natural extension of process automation of manufacturing facilities.This contribution draws the attention in the handling of information flows and transactional processes in order to purse excellence at the supply chain operational level. Its goal is to show that it provides a competitive advantage. In addition, to provide convincing arguments that supply chain automation is achievable and to advance towards a conceptual framework for its successful implementation. Essential to these purposes are the following issues:- To understand the evolution of supply chain management, because some of the current problems are consequences of past conceptions.- To recognize the challenges and opportunities associated to nowadays supply chains, especially those associated with the explosive development of information and communication technologies.- Take advantage of the experience gained in the chemical process automation field.