Supply chains have grown, both geographically and in complexity. The digital economy of the 21^st century opens up new markets to organisations, but also new challenges in terms of developing and managing extended supply chains that reach further and further away from company headquarters. Companies can deliver goods and services to customers in far wider markets; they can source essential supplies from providers in geographic markets many thousands of miles away; but unless their supply chain is robust, agile and underpinned by the best technology, processes and practices, the operational and commercial potential of all this will remain unrealised.

Organisations need to know how to squeeze value out of their supply chains, both in terms of cost and competitive edge. Is your supply chain as lean and efficient as it should be? Are there cost savings that could be made by modifying its structure and processes? Does it enable you to react to changing market conditions, both issues and opportunities? Are you able to ensure that there are no blockages in your supply chain that will impede your ability to service your customers?

Supply chains now more than ever are more than just production and distribution networks, but also need to incorporate the customer into their design. In an e-enabled world of online self-service, customers have become an integral part of the supply chain process. Is your Supply Chain geared up to enable you to react to upticks in demand and ensure that your customers needs can be met? When a customer places an order, can you be sure that that order will be fulfilled? Does your supply chain enable your organisation to respond to your customers faster and more efficiently than the competition?

It’s equally important that the supply chain is fully connected to the rest of the organisation and the other mission critical systems within it, from CRM through sales to finance. If the supply chain is not connected internally to such systems, then your organisation’s ability to deal with customers, partners and suppliers will be impaired and competitive advantage lost. In an increasingly tough economic situation, this is clearly unacceptable for any organisation.

At Capgemini, we can help you to optimise your supply chains to maximum business benefit. Our Supply Chain Management team combines deep industry experience in Supply Chain Management with detailed knowledge of the latest technologies, supplemented by years of implementation experience in the supply chain related initiatives.

Our Supply Chain capabilities include: