Recognize Supply Chain Management Challenges in the Army's Supply Term Paper

Recognize Supply Chain Management Challenges in the Army's Supply System - Term Paper Example Supply chain management covers the processes of materials management, logistics, physical distribution management, purchasing, and information management† (Supply chain management.2007). SCM is a logistic network that is constructed on four elements i.e. suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses / distribution centers and customers. Likewise, the raw material, work-in-progress inventory (WIP), finished products flows and communicate between these four elements. The ultimate goal is to produce and distribute the manufactured goods in adequate quantities, to the correct locations and at the accurate time. However, there are certain factors that may lead to highlight difficulties in supply chain management processes. For instance, uncertainty may cause issues related to travel times, scheduling of transportation including vehicles and machines, weather forecasts, natural disasters, war, politics, labor issues etc. Similarly, in the same context military supply chain management networks are multifaceted as they are globally located and are managed by conventional and regulatory processes. Moreover, the management of these networks is convoluted due to segregating responsibilities for command, across different levels in the supply chain management network. Likewise, frequent promotions and job rotation in a rising-cost environment is a challenge. Furthermore, SCM has also encountered vulnerabilities. A security definition in the context of SCM is defined as â€Å"The discipline of contingency planning for any authorized delay, diversion, compromise or other related incident that could create a negative disruption or cost to a company’s flow of material, data or payment across international borders, from the point of conception to final delivery.† (Peck, 2003). Discussion The military supply chain management processes have witnessed many shortcomings in terms of improper communication channels between the SCM four elements i.e. suppliers, manufacturers , warehouses / distribution centers and customers. Moreover, there are several issues related to military supply chain that are discussed in separate headings. RFID Integration with Military Supply Chains â€Å"Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an enabling technology that will allow military logisticians to create synthesized and integrated end-to-end information on assets† (Estevez, 2005). Tracking troops is essential for the military supply chain, in order to align supplies in a reachable location. US faced a similar challenge during an Iraqi freedom operation, as the rapidly moving troops were tracked by incorporating information technology. Each combat unit was equipped with Radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology to recognize objects. This technology is for eternity classified as a technology similar to Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC). AIDC consists of Barcodes, Biometrics and Smart cards. Apparently, RFID and Barcodes technologies are considered as one of the key drivers in supply chain management operations to categorize objects or merchandize at various workflow stages. In