GRA Authored whitepapers and articles*
JULY 2008 - Fast Thinking Magazine – “From Cost to Advantage”
“Over the last ten years in Australia, supply chain management has started to transition from the back office to the boardroom. Historically seen as a ‘necessary evil’ or simply part of the ‘cost of doing business’, supply chain was the realm of trucks, warehouses and burly men in fluorescent safety vests."
"But this is changing and changing fast. Leading organisations have recognised that effective supply chain management can boost performance ratios such as Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) by reducing operating costs, increasing asset turnover and improving customer service levels."
Click 'Supply Chain From Cost to Advantage' to view on your browser, or download the print magazine version below.
Supply Chain & Logistics Best Practice - are you keeping up?
"We are told that the constant increase in computer processing power (one version of Moore’s Law states that computing power/dollar doubles every 2 years) is changing the way the world, and supply chains, operate. This article looks at some of the ways the Internet and other computer enabled technologies have created ‘best practices’.The question for you is whether or not you are keeping up!"
Click 'Supply Chain & Logistics Best Practice' to view on your browser or download the pdf below.
Retail Demand Planning 5-part series - Logistics Magazine
"Few would argue that demand planning directly and significantly impacts retail business profitability. Just think, how often can missed sales or excess inventory holdings – leading to lost revenue and wasted investment – be traced back to poor forecasting?"
"The quality of decision making in the areas of purchasing, replenishment and sales planning has a direct and undeniable impact on business ROI. While employing effective demand planning processes in a retail environment is increasingly considered essential, the best approach is not always clear."
This 5-part series published in Logistics Magazine examines the various demand planning techniques used by retailers and recommends those that will help practitioners achieve the best results for their business.
Click 'Retail Demand Planning article series' to view on your browser or download the pdf below.
FEB / MAR 2008 - Logistics Magazine – “Making performance measurement digestible”
“There have been vast tomes written on performance measurement frameworks, the characteristics of a good performance measure, sales & operations planning (S&OP) and the like. So rather than attempting a comprehensive dissertation on performance measurement that fits neatly on a single page, following are some readily digestible, low kilojoule tips for the day. Happy snacking!”
GRA’s Carter McNabb is the author of this 'Expert's Note' on supply chain performance measurement frameworks.
Click 'Supply Chain Performance Measurement'to view in your browser, or download the print magazine version below.
JAN 2008 - MHD Magazine– “Supply chain network simulation and optimisation – a review”
Supply chain modelling and optimisation provide opportunities for assessing and choosing amongst strategic options in a risk-free environment, driving business value through cost reduction and managing supply chain risks.
Practitioners who are not using simulation/optimisation techniques are potentially missing significant opportunities to improve competitiveness, making longer term supply chain investment decisions without all the facts and/or exposing themselves to unforeseen yet real-world risks.
Those who use supply chain modelling and optimisation techniques however are able to make informed investment decisions, capitalise on competitive opportunities and mitigate supply chain risks.
Click 'Supply Chain Network Optimisation'to view in your browser, or download the print magazine version below.
APRIL 2007 - Logistics Magazine – “Goals: Setting out the path before setting out”
"We all know that goals are essential for projects or change initiatives. Goals are meant to provide clear direction and certainly can if defined
properly. As such, it’s worth investing a bit of time up front to make sure our goals achieve that aim."
GRA Partner Carter McNabb illustrates the
importance and process of goal development and refinement in this article.
Click 'Supply Chain Goals'to view in your browser, or download the print magazine version below.
Further articles authored by GRA.
Industry whitepapers and articles
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