Operations
Supply chain analytics
The analysis of material, information and process flow from suppliers through operations to customer delivery.
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Supply chain analytics vs Supply chain miles
These models cover closely related ground. Compare their purpose, scope, practical guidance, and supporting resources to choose the better fit.
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Strategy
Supply chain miles
A logistics-distance measure for making the travel embedded in purchased inputs and delivered products visible.
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Use this when.
The method applies to services as well as products, but physical flows usually create the clearest need. Review a dynamic supply chain at least monthly. A stable network with few material changes may justify a six month cycle, while operational alerts and critical risks should be monitored more frequently.
Answer the performance question: “To what extent are we minimising the environmental impact of our business?”
Extracted signals
Strengths, limits, and pitfalls.
Supply chain analytics
- Start with one material decision—such as inventory placement, route choice or shrinkage—and trace the minimum end to end data needed to improve it before investing in a large platform.
- Map the chain, establish decision questions and connect permitted data sources to each stage. Telematics can describe delivery vehicles; GPS can locate ships and lorries; RFID can track pallets or products; cameras can provide governed visual evidence; and operational systems can record orders, inventory, production and receipt.
Watch for
- Do not assume that more data automatically produce optimisation. Fragmented definitions, inaccessible supplier records and weak system integration can make the required investment larger than the value of the decision.
Supply chain miles
- Match the distance convention to the real transport mode: use road routing for lorries, an actual shipping route where available and air distance for flown goods. Document the choice.
Watch for
- Do not mistake a trader’s office or invoice address for the production site, and do not claim carbon reduction from distance alone without considering mode, load and life cycle effects.
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