User:Linuxste/Supply-chain consulting

Supply-chain consulting is a service provided by a professional consultant in order to enhance the productivity of a supply-chain. As supply chains become bigger and more complex, the advice of an expert in the field becomes central for the success of the business. Generally it involves the analysis of how companies’ processes must be designed to meet present and future requirements, including the countermeasures or correctives to take in order to implement and control the materials, services and information from the beginning to the consuming stage. To become competitive, every company must create a interconnected supply-chain with other enterprises. It begins and ends with the customer at the center of the attention, hence, to know the customer needs in detail is mandatory, consulting firms help companies to tailor the supply-chain accoringly.

A well-organized supply-chain allows companies to the differentiate themselves from the competition, being able to offer better services at lower costs and thus build up long-term market shares.

Benefits of Supply-chain consulting
A Supply-chain consulting often leads to a better and more integrate supply chain and, in general, to a supply-chain optimization which usually includes:

Reduction of trading costs

By integrating all the enterprises in the supply chain, trading times can be shortened, thus, trading cost can be reduced. American Accenture Consulting Company claims that transportation costs can be reduced up to 15%.

Reduction of inventory level

Organizing the production in order to keep the right level of inventory, therefore, avoiding waste and potential cash-flow losses

Raise of income and profit

Increase the market share and profit by working closely with all the enterprises in the chain, cooperating together after common interests, increasing productivity and satisfaction of customers. Is the consultant who often provides the philosophies, tools, and operating systems to accomplish the shared goals.

Increase customers' loyalty and companies' competitiveness

An optimized supply-chain leads to a better service, removing all the operations that, rather that add value, create waste and inefficiency. A supply-chain well organized is mandatory to win over competition and add value in every process, creating satisfaction among customers.

Companies in the field
Supply-chain consultancies vary in their ranges of services and sizes, major players in the field include:


 * Accenture
 * McKinsey & Company
 * A.T. Kearney
 * Hitachi Consulting
 * Grant Thornton
 * Booz Allen Hamilton
 * PRTM
 * IBM Global Business Services
 * Deloitte Consulting
 * BearingPoint
 * Capgemini