Talking about an eCommerce or online business, we commonly come across the term supply chain management. It is an integral part of online business and if you are an online entrepreneur you need to have some idea of the whole process. In simple terms, the objectives of supply chain management or SCM include the management related to the flow of goods and services at various stages. It starts from the manufacturer to the retailer, and ultimately to the customer. At each level, proper management is required in order to ensure the seamless flow of the products.

The main objectives of supply chain management involve the management of a wide range of components and processes, such as storage of raw materials, managing the inventory, warehousing, and movement of finished goods from the point of manufacture to the point of consumption. In economic terms, it can be referred to as the design, planning, management, and execution of supply chain activities from the point of production to the point of sale.

Supply Chain Management Functions

On a broader level, supply chain management consists of these four major functions and key element components, such as:

Integration

This forms the crux of the supply chain and is meant to coordinate communications to produce effective and timely results. It can include innovation of new software or advanced technological processes to improve communications.

Operations

This involves management of day to day operations in the eCommerce business. For example, it may deal with keeping an eye on the inventory or coming up with marketing approaches.

Purchasing

This deals with the purchasing decisions and management, such as purchasing raw materials, source materials and so on.

Distribution

This deals with the management of logistics across wholesalers, retailers, and customers. This may mean keeping an eye on the shipment, and other details.

In addition to these, there are also some subsidiary functions that an effective supply chain management process fulfills, such as:

• Aligning distribution flows
• Integrating the functions from manufacture to delivery
• Designing complex and advanced systems
• Managing and coordinating resources

If you get the basics right and manage your supply chain in the right way, you will surely enjoy good profits. Always remember that proper planning and implementation are the keys to successfully achieving the objectives of supply chain management.

As an online entrepreneur, owner of an eCommerce business, one of the concerns you always have is the timely delivery of the products to your customers and that too safely. There is no denying the fact that there are multiple courier options available today that provide eCommerce shipping and logistics services. But, to be a preferred choice of your target audience, you need to give the best customer experience, and for that, you need to tie up with a courier company which is both – professional and dependable.