Publication

Abstract : An important requirement of supply chain management is to attain supply chain visibility among multiple stakeholders and partners. With several enterprises off shoring their manufacturing and service operations to low-cost hubs in Asia with poor infrastructure and transportation networks, visibility has become a major challenge. Various Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools like RFID have enabled supply chain visibility and agility. Cloud computing and associated technologies like virtualization, Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) have been touted as the ‘next big thing’ and ‘game changer’ for enterprises to improve their top line and bottom line. ICT interventions in supply chain planning and execution using Cloud Computing with evidences of early adoptions and deployments by pioneering enterprises have been highlighted. Application areas where cloud-based solutions are available include demand forecasting, demand planning, e-procurement, distribution, inventory, warehouse and transportation systems.