New Benchmarks for Supply Chain Centers: Driving Efficiency and Value

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Jan. 13, 2005 -- In today's fast changing, competitive and cost-driven market, supply chain organizations have to take every opportunity to lower cycle time, reduce uncertainties and stay current with market trends. Supply chain executives need to optimize both dimensions by working closer with business units, other corporate groups, and with customers directly. A new study by Best Practices, LLC ( http://www3.best-in-class.com/cr124.htm ) takes a data-driven look at how best-in-class supply chain centers:

   - Increase efficiency by setting accurate performance metrics for order
     management & distribution center operations
   - Respond to market needs by leveraging new technology and driving
     automation in order management processes
   - Ensure high satisfaction levels at business units, operating companies
     and external customers
   - Define, measure and communicate value effectively to internal and
     external customers

Research findings - collected from primary executive interviews, surveys and research with more than a dozen leading companies - reveal that top companies:

   - Team with operating/business units and e-commerce groups to identify
     and approach key customers for conversion to 100% electronic
     transactions and to advanced collaboration techniques, like
     forecasting.
   - Use activity-based costing universally to increase visibility of
     operational costs to the operating/business units.
   - Enhance CSR authority and training to provide elevated and proactive
     levels of customer service.
   - Drive cycle time reductions everywhere through six sigma teams and
     through expanded definition and use of cycle time metrics.

  Best Practices, LLC's supply chain research also includes:
   - Benchmark measures such as on-time delivery, fill rate, lead times,
     etc.
   - Supply chain costs and cost saving initiatives
   - Initiatives that enhance vendor and customer relationships
   - Best Practices in supply base and order management

To download a supply chain white paper and learn more about our research, visit our supply chain consulting website at http://www3.best-in-class.com/cr124.htm . Contact Jonathan Tanz at (919) 767-9227 or jtanz@best-in-class.com for more information on applying our insights and capabilities to optimize your supply chain systems.

ABOUT BEST PRACTICES, LLC

Best Practices, LLC is a research and consulting firm that works on the principle that organizations can chart a course to superior economic performance by studying the best business practices, operating tactics and winning strategies of world-class organizations. Our suite of customized Research and Consulting services is designed to assist you in improving your company's performance by analyzing the winning practices of leading corporations.