Return Flow and Technology

Abstract

This paper will discuss how technology requirements can be different for three different industries and at the same time how that technology can be the same. In addition, this paper will define and discuss at least two types of software tools each industry use and how that software reports that business. Also, this paper will identify other non-software technologies but each of the three industries and how those non-software technologies can be useful.

Return Flow and Technology

Information technology or software applications as they are more commonly known as become very critical in supply chain management (SCM) when a company is trying to obtain optimization. One of the largest software applications is enterprise resource planning or better known as ERP (MUSE, 2010). ERP is a system that consists of large software applications that are made up of multiple components. These components assist businesses in managing their key business areas. These areas can consist of purchasing, product development, inventory management and control, supplier management, and order tracking (MUSE, 2010).

Although each industry has its own unique requirements, the three industries that we are concerned about in this paper, in manufacturing, healthcare, and retail can all incorporate ERP in its daily business. This is because ERP is an essential tool in dealing with human resources and financial planning. Although each of the industries listed above are vastly different in what they do for each other, all three industries must deal with human resources and financial planning. Another similarity between the three industries is that they all deal with their customers and therefore another software related tool that can help all three industries to optimize their business is known as customer relationship management tool (CRM).

This software management tool enables a business to optimize the customer relationship aspect of its business. It can do this by providing a mechanism that gives the business the ability to store customer data, track customer orders, track customer returns, and market products (MUSE, 2010). Even though the above-mentioned organizations have a totally different type of client base and they operate totally different, they still must be able to do the same thing and that is to provide a service or product and deal with a customer or patient directly (McNamara, 2002).

Even though each industry can use the same type of ERP, each industry may need to have a deeper ERP requirement because of different types of legal requirements when it comes to data protection and privacy. The manufacturing industry might need a deeper ERP requirement for materials management more so than the healthcare industry or the retail industry. Whereas the retail industry might need a deeper ERP requirement for sales order management then the manufacturing industry and the healthcare industry and the healthcare industry might need a deeper ERP requirement for financial management than the manufacturing and the retail industry (McNamara, 2002).

In the case of SPS seating which manufacturer's leather seating, I would recommend Sage ERP X3 software and EPICOR Manufacturing software. Sage ERP X3 has a portfolio that offers a package for all sizes and types of manufacturers. Sage ERP X.3 offers comprehensive management of inventory systems, project planning, shop operations, accounting, and scheduling (Singleton, 2013). It has the capability of supporting both discrete and process modes.

EPICOR Manufacturing software is an application that manufacturers who are looking to improve their execution and planning use and is used by industries ranging from Aral space and defense contractors to commercial pharmaceutical companies (Singleton, 2013). Both software packages will allow SBS seating to introduce just-in-time (JIT) inventory management to their logistics management program. This type of inventory control will enable to company better manage their bottom line (profit & revenue) by not having too much inventory on hand (Singleton, 2013). In addition, these two types of manufacturing software will allow the company to better follow the manufacturing process from start.

A non-software technology that would be good for SBS seating would be a robotic type device that could verify assembly. This device could verify the presence of one or more parts or features. It can check alignment precision of the subassemblies they can verify the feed rate passing through the stitching stations and it can automatically reject any part that does not meet predetermined quality metrics (Newton Labs, 2013).

In the case of MLD Hospital, which produces nothing, but is a medical service rendering organization, I would introduce ORMED MIS supply Chain Management for Healthcare or McKesson Supply Chain Management Solutions. ORMED MIS is a fully integrated logistic supply system designed specifically for hospital logistics management. ORMED Healthcare Supply Chain Management is a software system that offers set teaching opportunities for inventory processing that reduces the cost of supplies and equipment, but increases productivity so that every dollar spent enhances patient outcome (ORMED, 2013).

ORMED MIS provides supply chain management, materials management, requisitioning management, and inventory sale management. The use of this software enables the user to have maximum efficiency and total financial control over its logistics operation system. The material management software application allows the user to streamline and automate many related processes and integrate fully with other software systems such as accounts payable and other critical business processes (ORMED, 2013). ORMED software also helps to reduce inventory errors, cost, inventory waste and stockouts while enhancing the user's ability to increase profits.

McKesson Supply Chain Management Solutions software has the ability to link the entire hospital supply chain into a single integrated process. This software would be able to link requisitioning through inventory matching, contract compliance and rebate attainment (McKesson, 2013). McKesson Supply Chain Management has the ability to automate and streamline all supply chain management functions. This is very important since most healthcare organizations are seeking better supply chain efficiencies to help them achieve a healthier bottom line.

McKesson supply chain modules consist of supply chain management analytics, supply chain management package tracking, ERP solutions imaging content, ERP solutions self-service, strategic supply sourcing, and point of use supply (McKesson, 2013). All of