Supply chain network

[3] All organizations can purchase the components to build a supply-chain network, it is the collection of physical locations, transportation vehicles and supporting systems through which the products and services firm markets are managed and ultimately delivered.

[citation needed] Physical locations included in a supply-chain network can be manufacturing plants, storage warehouses, carrier cross-docks, major distribution centers, ports, intermodal terminals whether owned by a company, suppliers, a transport carrier, a third-party logistics provider, a retail store or an end customer.

Transportation modes that operate within a supply-chain network can include the many different types of trucks, trains for boxcar or intermodal unit movement, container ships or cargo planes.

Therefore, it can be said that a SCN design is the combination of nodes with capability and capacity, connected by lanes to help products move between facilities[6] As accessibility to data continues to improve, it is becoming increasingly important for organizations to make data-driven supply chain network design decisions regarding transportation procurement, based on accurate freight data.

Shippers and carriers connect to haul freight and benefit from the latest tech innovations that proffer value-added services to the platform users.

Real-time visibility, ETA, live status updates - with freight ecosystems, shippers are poised to be close with their orders, and carriers assume greater asset control.

Bosch can quickly assess the state of a motor reducing the cost of inspection and disposal, thereby increasing their profit margin on refurbished power tools.

[8] Though designing a supply-chain network can cut costs within a company, it is important to note the supply chain is not static but rather a continually improving model and adapt in response.