Software(供应链软体)

1、PART II SolutionsSupply Chain SoftwareSupply Chain Software(供應鏈軟體供應鏈軟體)Fifty years ago, supply chains were designed and managed using the time-honored tools of paper and pencil, with a little help from calculators. Today, it would be almost unthinkable to operate a large supply chain without extensi

2、ve software support. But there is a bewildering array of software to choose from, and picking the wrong package can bring your supply chain to a standstill. This chapter provides a guided tour of supply chain software, starting with classic manufacturing systems and winding up with specialty applica

3、tions designed for specific supply chain problems. The tour concludes with a look at how the Internet is changing the way trading partners coordinate the flow of demand, supply, and cash across the supply chain.Supply Chain Software50年前，供應鏈之設計與管理是採用紙及筆這類常青工具(time-honored tools)，加上一些計算機(calculators)的

4、幫助。今天若沒有很完備的軟體支援，幾乎難以想像如何去營運一個大型供應鏈。但是軟體種類繁多，令人在選擇上非常困擾，如挑選到不對的套裝軟體很可能使整個供應鏈停頓下來。本章提供供應鏈軟體的一個導覽，從傳統製造系統開始，並以為特殊供應鏈問題設計的專業應用系統結束。最後以觀察網際網路如何改變貿易夥伴，在供應鏈中協調需求(demand)、供應(supply)及帳款(cash)的方法總結。The Manufacturing Platform(製造資訊乎台製造資訊乎台)A management matrix provides the contextThe easiest way to understand t

5、he many forms of supply chain software is to view them in the context of the business processes they support. The matrix in Figure 6.1 categorizes these processes in a way that reflects the structure of this book. The rows of the matrix correspond to the operational, planning, and design levels of m

6、anagement, and the columns reflect processes concerned with supply, production, and demand. All of the processes shown in the matrix are discussed in the appropriate chapters in Parts III through V. In the present chapter, I take the processes as given and focus on the software.管理矩陣之利用管理矩陣之利用瞭解許多供應鏈

7、軟體型態最簡單的方法就是，去觀察其支援企業程序的內涵。圖61的管理矩陣(management matrix)將這些企業程序加以分類，也反映出本書之結構。矩陣列(row of matrix)對應的是管理的作業(operational)、規劃(Planning)及設計(design)層次;而矩陣欄(columnls of matrix)顯示有關供應、生產及需求的程序。矩陣的所有程序將會於本書第三篇到第五篇適當章節中加以討論，本章將視程序為已知，並著重在軟體之介紹。 The Manufacturing Platform(製造資訊乎台製造資訊乎台)A management matrix provide

8、s the contextThe Manufacturing Platform(製造資訊乎台製造資訊乎台)ERP is the dominant manufacturing systemBecause supply chains are concerned with moving manufactured goods, the functions of supply chain software are a natural extension of existing manufacturing systems. Today, the dominant software in manufactu

9、ring companies is the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Although the emphasis of ERP is on the internal operations of a manufacturing organizationthe activities that take place inside the four wallsmany of the applications included in ERP packages are directly relevant to supply chain activ

10、ities.ERP是主要製造資訊系統是主要製造資訊系統因為供應鏈涉及的是成品之移動，供應鏈軟體的相關功能就是現有製造系統一個自然的延伸。今日，在製造公司占有支配地位的軟體為企業資源規劃(enterprise resource planning, ERP)系統。儘管ERP著重的是生產組織的內部作業-發生在四面牆裡面的活動，許多包含在ERP中的應用模組直接與供應鏈活動有關。The Manufacturing Platform(製造資訊乎台製造資訊乎台)The heart of ERP is production PlanningERP systems can be difficult to und

11、erstand because they have become so large and complex over the years, incorporating a tremendous array of functions and touching almost every area of a manufacturing company. However, the essence of ERP can be understood by placing a handful of key modules in the context of the management matrix, as

12、 shown in Figure 6.2. The heart of an ERP system is a set of planning modules that translate anticipated demand into plans for managing supply, production, and distribution. The other modules help a company implement these plans by providing computerized support for purchasing, receiving, sales, and

13、 other operations.ERP的核心是生產規劃的核心是生產規劃企業資源規劃(ERP)系統可能不易理解，因為經過多年之發展，這些系統已經變得非常龐大又複雜，且包含非常多的功能，並幾乎涉及所有製造組織的各個層面。不過，ERP本質仍可藉由圖62管理矩陣中的關鍵模組加以瞭解。ERP系統的核心是一組規劃模組(Planning modules)，可將預測需求(anticipated demands)轉換為管理供應(supply)、生產(Production)及配銷(distribution)之各項計畫。其他模組則可協助公司執行這些計畫，主要在於提供採購(purchasing)、進貨(recei

14、ving)、銷售(sales)，以及其他作業所需之電腦化支援。The Manufacturing Platform(製造資訊乎台製造資訊乎台)The heart of ERP is production PlanningThe Manufacturing Platform(製造資訊乎台製造資訊乎台)Planning works backward from DistributionThe basic flow of ERP-based planning is shown in Figure 6.2. Using historical and expected sales as input, th

15、e distribution requirements planning (DRP) module builds a distribution plan that indicates how many products of each type need to be at each location in each period. The resulting plan is passed as input to the master production scheduling (MPS) module, which works out when production will have to

16、occur in order to meet the distribution schedule. The MPS module then calls on the services of two other modules to validate its schedule: The material requirements planning (MRP) module makes sure that all the necessary materials and components can be acquired in time, and the capacity requirements

17、 planning (CRP) module checks to see whether the available production facilities will be able to perform the work.規劃從配銷向後進行規劃從配銷向後進行ERP規劃的基本流程顯示於圖62中。使用歷史性及預測性銷售數據為輸入資料，配銷需求規劃(distribution requirements planning, DRP)模組建立一份配銷計畫，顯示每一期間在每個地點所需每一種產品的數量。DRP完成的計畫將作為主生產排程(master production scheduling，MPS)模

18、組的輸入資料，如此生產排程才能跟配銷排程接軌。MPS模組接著尋求另二個模組的服務支援，以驗證其排程之正確性，此兩模組為:物料需求規劃(material requirement planning，MRP)及產能需求規劃(capacity requirements planning，CRP)。MRP模組確認所需物料及零組件都可及時取得，產能需求規劃(CRP)模組查核可用產能設備是否可以使用。The Manufacturing Platform(製造資訊乎台製造資訊乎台)ERP supports several aspects of supply chainsAlthough the focus o

19、f ERP is on production planning, several ofthe modules include tools for supply chain management. The material requirements plan generated by the MRP module can be fed directly into the purchasing system as a schedule of proposed purchases, and the distribution plan generated by the DRP module is us

20、ed to choreograph shipments of finished goods through an echelon distribution system. In addition, the receiving and shipping modules handle the flow of materials in and out of the company, and the inventory control module monitors the current stocks of raw materials, work in process, and finished g

21、oods.ERP支援供應鏈的數個構面支援供應鏈的數個構面雖然企業資源規劃(ERP)的重心放在生產規劃，但是有幾個模組是屬於供應鏈管理的工具。物料需求規劃(MRP)模組產生的物料需求計晝可以直接輸入採購系統，作為採購時程建議表;而配銷需求規劃(DRP)模組產生的配銷計晝則可用於調節層級配銷系統(echelon distribution system)中成品的運送時程。此外，進貨與出貨模組(receiving and shipping modules)可以處理進出公司的物料流程;存貨控制模組(inventory control module)則可監控原物料、在製品及製成品之現有存貨動態。The M

22、anufacturing Platform(製造資訊乎台製造資訊乎台)ERP is best suited for single plantsAlthough many companies use ERP systems to manage their supply chains, ERP by itself is rarely the best option. ERP was developed to manage the activities within a single production facility, and it doesnt lend itself to planning

23、 activities that span multiple facilities. Most ERP packages can, in fact, be used for more than one plant, but they plan the activities of each plant individually rather than developing an integrated plan that makes the bestuse of all the plants. Another concern is that, as explained in Chapter 11,

24、 the scheduling technique used by ERP was designed for the controlled environment of a manufacturing facility, and it lacks the flexibility necessary to handle the more dynamic requirements of supply chains.ERP使用在單一工廠時最有效使用在單一工廠時最有效儘管許多公司使用ERP系統來管理他們的供應鏈，只靠ERP本身並不是最好的選擇。ERP之開發目的原在管理單一設施的內部活動，並無法做好橫跨

25、多個設施的規劃活動。多數ERP套裝軟體可以使用於不同的工廠，但是這些軟體只能為每個工廠單獨進行規劃，無法發展出一個考量所有工廠最佳使用方式的整合性計畫。另一個顧慮是(第11章會再加以說明)，ERP使用的排程技術是針對一個製造設施的控制環境而設計，缺乏處理供應鏈動態需求所必須的彈性。Advanced Planning Systems(進階規劃系統進階規劃系統)APS concentrates on design and planning The most important application directly aimed at managing supplychains is the ad

26、vanced planning and scheduling (APS) system.As with ERP systems, APS systems include a large number of modules that can be combined in various ways, and not every vendor offers the same selection of modules. However, the modules shown in Figure 6.3 are common to most APS systems, and they give a fai

27、r representation of APS capabilities. A comparison of this figure with Figure 6.2 quickly reveals the most important difference between ERP and APS: Whereas ERP supports the lower two layers of the process matrix, planning and operations, APS focuses on the upper two layers, combining planning with

28、design.APS專注於設計與規劃專注於設計與規劃最重要的供應鏈管理應用系統就是進階規劃與排程系統(adVanced planning scheduling system, APS)。與ERP系統相似，APS系統包含許多模組，可以透過不同的組合方式來購買，並且每家供應商提供的模組選擇可能都有一些差異。不過，圖6，3中之模組包含了大多數APS系統提供的模組，對APS功能之描述已非常完備。與圖62相比，圖6，3可以很快顯示出ERP與APS的最大差異:ERP支援程序矩陣的下二層，規劃(planning)和作業(operations);進階規劃與排程系統(APS)聚焦在上二層，將規劃(plannin

29、g)與設計(design)結合。Advanced Planning Systems(進階規劃系統進階規劃系統)APS concentrates on design and planning Advanced Planning Systems(進階規劃系統進階規劃系統)APS can plan an entire supply chainUnlike ERP, which is primarily concerned with production facilities, APS takes a network of supply chain facilities as its starting

30、 point. Setting up an APS system involves using the network design module to enter a detailed description of the chain, including its facilities, transportation links, and other characteristics. Once this information is in place, the planning process follows the arrows shown in Figure 6.3. First, th

31、e demand planning module forecasts the demand for each product in each region. The master planning module then combines this forecast with the capabilities of the chain as described to the network design module, developing an overall plan for moving supplies through the chain. In order to develop th

32、at plan, it calls on the services of three specialized modules to analyze the impact of the master plan on materials, production capacity, and distribution requirements.APS可以規劃整個供應鏈可以規劃整個供應鏈不像企業資源規劃(ERP)，主要關注於生產設施，APS以供應鏈中許多設施所形成的網路為起始點。設定APS系統須先使用網路設計模組(network design module)，輸入供應鏈的詳細資料，包含相關設施、運輸連結

33、及其他特性資料。一旦具備這些基本資訊，規劃程序則順著圖6.3的箭頭方向進行。首先，需求規劃模組(demand Planning module)預測每一產品在每一區域的需求數量，然後主規劃模組(master planning module)將此預測與網路設計模組描述的供應鏈能力結合，發展出供應物品(supplies)在供應鏈中移動的整體計畫。為了完成這個計畫，APS使用三個專業模組(物料規劃、生產規劃及配銷規劃)的服務，分析物料、產能及配銷需求對主計畫的影響。 Advanced Planning Systems(進階規劃系統進階規劃系統)APS is based on optimizing mo

34、delsAPS offers a number of advantages over ERP, including a more flexible scheduling system that can handle the more varied requirements of supply chain management. The most compelling advantage of an APS system, however, is that it is based on mathematical models that support optimization, includin

35、g the linear programming method described in Chapter 5. These models are used for design as well as planning, so an APS gives you the opportunity to optimize not only the schedule of operations but also the very structure of your supply chain. The optimization is done against any measures of perform

36、ance you choose to specify, including cost, customer service, and profitability.APS乃植基於最佳化模式乃植基於最佳化模式(優化模式優化模式)APS提供數項超越ERP的優點，包含一個更具彈性的排程系統，可以處理供應鏈管理更多變的要求。然而，APS系統最吸引人的優勢是，它乃植基於支援最佳化分析的數學模式(mathematical models)，包含第5章敘述的線性規劃方法(linear programming method)。這些模式既可用於設計也可用於規劃，因此，進階規劃與排程系統(APS)不但提供將作業排程(o

37、perational schedules)最佳化的機會，也同時提供供應鏈結構(supply chain structure)最佳化的機會。最佳化可依據任何你所指定的績效評量指標(measures of performance)進行，不論這些指標是成本(cost)、顧客服務(customer service)或獲利性(profitability)。Advanced Planning Systems(進階規劃系統進階規劃系統)APS is usually linked to ERP systemsAlthough APS systems offer sophisticated planning a

38、nd scheduling capabilities, they dont provide the operational modules necessary to translate these plans into action. The usual solution to this problem is to link APS systems into existing ERP systems. The most effective way to combine the two applications is to use a single APS system to plan the

39、movement of goods across a number of production facilities, each of which is managed by a local ERP system (Figure 6.4). This approach offers the best of both worlds, combining the advantages of ERP and APS to provide a level of integration that isnt possible with either type alone.APS通常與通常與ERP間有連結間

40、有連結雖然APS提供了細緻的規劃及排程能力，但是卻未提供將計畫轉換為行動所必須的作業模組。解決此問題的通常方式，就是將APS系統連結到現有的企業資源規劃(EKP)系統。結合此二種應用系統最有效的方法是使用一套APS系統來規劃一組生產設施間物料的移動，而每一個設施就交給各設施自己的ERP系統管理，見圖64。這個方法結合了兩套系統的優點，提供任何單一系統所無法提供的整合水準。Advanced Planning Systems(進階規劃系統進階規劃系統)APS is usually linked to ERP systemsAdvanced Planning Systems(進階規劃系統進階規劃系統

41、)APS is likely to merge into ERPLinking APS and ERP systems is a substantial undertaking (see Chapter 11), and the cooperation between the two kinds of systems is still somewhat limited. However, this situation is already beginning to change for the better. ERP vendors have a history of absorbing ne

42、w application categories that affect enterprise-level planning, and they are already hard at work rolling in supply chain software. Several vendors now offer APS modules that communicate with their existing ERP modules, and other vendors are likely to follow suit in order to remain competitive. In t

43、he meantime, be cautious about ERP vendors that claim to support supply chains; they could be offering anything from a full suite of APS modules to an ad hoc collection of the supporting applications described in the next section. Ch.11, which provides a more detailed description of how ERP and APS

44、modules work together, should give you enough information to make an informed choice.APS有可能與有可能與ERP合併合併連結APS及ERP (linking APS and ERP)系統是一項大工程(見第11章)，且二種系統間之合作仍然有些限制。然而此種情況已經開始好轉。ERP供應商善於將影響企業層次規劃的應用系統類型整併到ERP中，而且他們目前正在努力合併供應鏈的應用軟體。數家供應商目前已提供可以與他們ERP系統溝通的APS模組，其他供應商為了維持競爭力極可能會跟進。在此同時，對於聲稱可以支援供應鏈的ERP

45、供應商則需要謹慎瞭解;因為他們可能提供大到完整的所有APS模組，或小到只提供一些特定的支援性應用模組。第11章將提供ERP與APS模組如何一起運作的更詳細介紹，應足夠讓企做出合適的選擇。Supply Chain Applications(供應鏈應用系統供應鏈應用系統)Warehouse systems focus on operationIn addition to ERP and APS, there are several other kinds of applications that serve the needs of supply chain management.Figure 6

46、.5 shows some of the key modules of a warehouse management system. As the diagram indicates, these packages focus primarily on operations, offering just enough planning functionality to smooth the flow of inventory through the facility. In addition,there are no modules for production because thats n

47、ot a traditional function of warehouses, although this is beginning to change (see Chapter 15). 倉庫系統著重在作業面倉庫系統著重在作業面除了企業資源規劃(ERP)及進階規劃與排程系統(APS)之外，還有幾種可以滿足供應鏈管理需求的應用系統。圖65顯示一套倉庫管理系統(warehouse management system, WMS)提供的主要功能模組。如圖65所示，這類套裝軟體主要著重於營運作業，只提供有限的規劃功能，使存貨可以平順地通過一座設施。此外，該圖沒有與生產相關的模組，因為生產不是傳統倉庫

48、的功能，雖然這已在逐漸改變中(詳第15章)。Supply Chain Applications(供應鏈應用系統供應鏈應用系統)Warehouse systems focus on operationSupply Chain Applications(供應鏈應用系統供應鏈應用系統)Warehouse systems focus on operationThe modules on the supply side are concerned with automating the process of receiving incoming goods and assigning them to t

49、he appropriate storage locations, and the modules on the demand side are concerned with assembling outbound orders and preparing them for shipment.The materials handling module bridges the gap between the two sets of modules, and the yard management module governs the movements of vehicles, containe

50、rs, and inventory held in staging areas adjacent to the warehouse.倉庫系統著重在作業面倉庫系統著重在作業面物料搬運模組(materials handling module)則為銜接上述兩模組間的橋樑。場站管理模組(yard management module)管理的是車輛、容器及擺置於暫存區存貨的移動。供應端的模組與進貨(receiving)及分派最適倉儲位置(storage location assignments)程序自動化有關;而需求端的模組則與組合外向訂單(assembling outbound orders)及訂單運送

51、準備(preparing shipments)有關。Supply Chain Applications(供應鏈應用系統供應鏈應用系統)Transportation systems are highly specializedAnother important class of supply chain software is the transportation management system (Figure 6.6). A complete system includes everything from network design tools down to operational a

52、pplications for tracking shipments, scheduling drivers, and determining how much it will cost to run a shipment between any two points. Because transportation requirements differ across industries and modalitiesscheduling tanker ships is quite different from tracking the locations of rail carstransp

53、ortation systems are usually highly specialized for individual markets.運輸系統非常專業化運輸系統非常專業化另一項供應鏈軟體的重要類別是運輸管理系統(transportation management system, TMS)(見圖66)。一套完整系統包含許多功能，網路設計工具(network design tools)及貨件追蹤(tracking shipments)、駕駛人員排班(scheduling drivers)、最佳途程決定(optimal routing)等作業應用。因為運輸要求依據產業及運輸模式之不同而有差異

54、-油輪排程與火車位置追蹤是非常地不一樣-運輸系統在個別市場中都有很高的專業性。Supply Chain Applications(供應鏈應用系統供應鏈應用系統)Transportation systems are highly specializedSupply Chain Applications(供應鏈應用系統供應鏈應用系統)CRM and SRM help manage relationshipsWarehouse and transportation management systems have been around for many years. The newest gener

55、ation of software includes the applications shown in Figure 6.7. One of these, customer relationship management (CRM), is designed to integrate all customer-contact activities, including sales, service, and support. Newer still is the logical counterpart of CRM, supplier relationship management (SRM

56、). CRM and SRM are usually limited to interactions with immediate trading partners, so they each span only a single link in the supply chain. However, some of the more advanced CRM packages include the ability to support relationships with customers , and it seems likely that SRM packages will be ex

57、tended in a comparable manner.CRM及及SRM有助於關係管理有助於關係管理倉庫及運輸管理系統已存在多年。新世代軟體包含圖67中的相關應用模組。其中之一是顧客關係管理(customer relationship management，CRM)，是設計來整合與顧客接觸的所有相關活動，包含銷售(sales)、服務(service)及支援(support)。更新的應用模組為與CRM相似的供應商關係管理(supplier relationship management, SRM)。CRM及SRM通常侷限於直接貿易夥伴間(immediate trading partners)

58、互動關係之管理，所以它們只涵蓋供應鏈的單一連結(a single link)。然而有一些更先進的CRM軟體其有能力支援顧客的顧客之關係(relationships with customers customers)，而SRM套裝軟體似乎會有跟CRM一般的延伸性發展。 Supply Chain Applications(供應鏈應用系統供應鏈應用系統)CRM and SRM help manage relationshipsSupply Chain Applications(供應鏈應用系統供應鏈應用系統)The newest applications monitor movementsOne of

59、 the most recent and exciting developments is the emergence of the supply chain visibility applications shown in the upper part of Figure 6.7. These applications track the movement of inventory as it flows through the chain, providing graphical displays that show expected and actual levels at each l

60、ocation. A closely related category is supply-chain event management software, which offers the ability to define business rules that trigger when specified events occur (or fail to occur). This software allows supply chain managers to focus their attention on managing exceptions rather than having