What does the manufacturing and production process look like?

• Manufacturing begins the process of creating the product from raw materials and being sent to production upon its creation.
• There are four production processes that can be utilized.
  • The production line is arranged so that the product is moved sequentially along the line and moves along a conveyor, or is manually moved.
  • The continuous flow manufacturing process is similar to the production line, however, products that are manufactured cannot be removed from the production line and stored.
  • Custom manufacturing is beneficial if a company allows customers to modify their product.
  • Large scale manufacturers opt to use Fixed Position manufacturing involves the finished product not moving from its fixed position from the beginning to the end of the process
• Once manufacturing has been completed, the production process finalizes the product and is suitable for sale.
  

What roles does warehousing and distribution play in supply chain?

• Warehousing is an integral part of the supply chain, as warehouses are used for inventory storage and distribution of products when necessary.
• With inbound and outbound deliveries, warehouses are key to understanding the current level of inventory.
• An optimized warehouse operation streamlines processes and efficiencies within production, distribution, and on-time deliveries to consumers.
• Distribution centers and fulfillment centers house products for a shorter period of time prior to their delivery and are used for different purposes.
• A retail distribution center distributes products to retail stores, whereas an order fulfillment center distributes products directly to consumers, and a cross-dock facility stores little or no product but distributes products to various destinations.
• Distribution centers are the foundation of a supply chain as they allow a single location to stock a vast number of products.
  

How do Last Mile deliveries impact retailers?

• Last Mile Delivery is the movement of goods from a transportation hub or warehouse to its final delivery destination.
• Last Mile Delivery services minimize delivery times for, quick, efficient deliveries to consumers.
• 74% of consumers say their impression of a company decreases their packages are not delivered on time or quickly enough.
• 70% of consumers want to be able to track their shipments in real-time.
• Currently, 73% of supply chains are not able to provide real-time tracking with their current technology.
• Faster delivery options must be a priority for retailers in order to stay competitive in the market.
  

What is E-commerce?

• E-commerce is the activity of buying and selling goods and services over the internet.
• The six basic types of e-commerce include B2B, B2C, C2C, C2B, B2A, C2A.
• Suppliers are choosing to open online platforms for shopping options because of customer convenience and operational efficiency.
• More than 80 percent of the online population has used the Internet to purchase goods and services.
• Fifty percent of the population online has shopped at Internet retailers more than one time.
• E-commerce is the fastest growing business model, valued in the trillions.