Linking seemingly disparate business functions like demand planning, sourcing and logistics can often yield very positive results by reducing costs and improving performance in supply chain operations.
Many times, looking at these business functions in concert and getting them to work together is the only way to solve complex supply chain problems.
This is true whether your supply chain extends across the state, the nation or the globe.
The widespread adoption of just-in-time (JIT) inventory principles undoubtedly makes production operations more efficient, cost effective and customer responsive. Companies effectively implementing JIT principles have substantial competitive advantages over competitors that have not. The trick is figuring out how to apply JIT principles to gain competitive advantages in your specific industry and business situation.
The basic premise of JIT is to have just the right amount of inventory, whether raw materials or finished goods, available to meet the demands of your production process and the demands of your end customers. No more, nor less.