供應(yīng)鏈的創(chuàng)新可能來自于任何地方：只要稍加改善過程，就能簡化曠日費(fèi)時(shí)的工作，而采用完全成熟的MRP解決方案更能讓這些過程實(shí)現(xiàn)自動(dòng)化。如今，一個(gè)看來更有發(fā)展前景的供應(yīng)鏈創(chuàng)新平臺(tái)就是云端技術(shù)。 云端運(yùn)算能為整個(gè)供應(yīng)網(wǎng)絡(luò)帶來更有效的溝通與合作。電子供應(yīng)鏈最經(jīng)常使用的EDI、MRP或ERP系統(tǒng)都是封閉式的，不但成本高，而且也無法建立有效的溝通。而云端技術(shù)的關(guān)鍵優(yōu)勢在于能夠讓企業(yè)找到新方案來解決長久無法克服的老問題，例如與合作伙伴的互動(dòng)與成本。 首先，云端技術(shù)基于網(wǎng)際網(wǎng)絡(luò)且可擴(kuò)展，所以它能讓合作伙伴在整個(gè)供應(yīng)網(wǎng)絡(luò)中 共享數(shù)據(jù)，而無需大量的前期投資。其次，用戶可以開發(fā)出一套“規(guī)則”，讓合作伙伴看到他們所需的信息，同時(shí)又能保護(hù)不可對(duì)外公開的資料。 云端方案供貨商GT Nexus公司企業(yè)行銷總監(jiān)Greg Kefer指出，“ERP系統(tǒng)并不是針對(duì)每一種平臺(tái)而設(shè)計(jì)的。每一家公司的資料都儲(chǔ)存于獨(dú)立系統(tǒng)中，在某些情況下，一家公司可能擁有好幾套獨(dú)立系統(tǒng)。這些資料根本就無法連接到供應(yīng)鏈網(wǎng)絡(luò)?！? 透過云端方案擷取并轉(zhuǎn)換所需的數(shù)據(jù)，然后再提供給供應(yīng)鏈網(wǎng)絡(luò)中的成員。這些信息經(jīng)過標(biāo)準(zhǔn)化、鏈接并集中儲(chǔ)存在云端中，同時(shí)也能加以分割。只有獲得授權(quán)的人員才能取得這些資料。Kefer強(qiáng)調(diào)，并不是每個(gè)合作伙伴都能取得這些信息。 大型OEM使用云端技術(shù)，讓小型合作伙伴們更易于在供應(yīng)鏈網(wǎng)絡(luò)中進(jìn)行合作。 例如，PC制造商聯(lián)想(Lenovo)采用E2open的云端解決方案，降低了合作伙伴的開發(fā)時(shí)間與成本。它還在其采購系統(tǒng)中使用云端技術(shù)。 根 據(jù)最近一份與E2Open共同合作的個(gè)案研究，“聯(lián)想面臨的主要挑戰(zhàn)之一是增加與關(guān)鍵組件有關(guān)的采購成本控制與透明度，同時(shí)持續(xù)保有外包的效率與降低危機(jī) 的好處。”透過利用云端技術(shù)，無論聯(lián)想的PC在哪里制造，現(xiàn)在它都能直接控管重要組件的采購。其采購主要由香港的管理中心統(tǒng)一負(fù)責(zé)管理。 本文授權(quán)編譯自EBN Online，版權(quán)所有，謝絕轉(zhuǎn)載 本文下一頁：聯(lián)想在香港的采購解決方案

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{pagination} 具體而言，聯(lián)想在香港的采購解決方案提供了： ●訂單到收款以及采購到支付流程完全自動(dòng)化與追蹤； ●減少人為接觸與資料匯整的必要； ●支持獨(dú)立訂單與總訂單/排程協(xié)調(diào)； ●聯(lián)想及其供貨商與合約制造商之間的采購訂單合作； ●與重要供貨商的機(jī)密定價(jià)協(xié)議。 該系統(tǒng)還支持聯(lián)想的全球服務(wù)網(wǎng)絡(luò)，讓售后服務(wù)、維修與服務(wù)供貨商能以預(yù)先協(xié)調(diào)好的更低價(jià)格采購其原料。截至目前為止，聯(lián)想的解決方案已經(jīng)取得了以下好處： ●改善現(xiàn)金轉(zhuǎn)換循環(huán)； ●透過降低核心商品的采購成本，加強(qiáng)市場競爭力； ●改善的貨源保證與供應(yīng)分配能力； ●對(duì)供貨商的反應(yīng)周期時(shí)間從幾小時(shí)縮短到幾分鐘。 云端解決方案本身并不能解決所有的供應(yīng)鏈問題，專家指出對(duì)于安全的顧慮是云端運(yùn)算最重要的問題。但是，就作為一種工具來看，云端技術(shù)可為創(chuàng)新提供無窮盡的機(jī)會(huì)。 根據(jù)Accenture公司表示：“云端運(yùn)算可望實(shí)現(xiàn)范圍更廣泛且強(qiáng)大的功能，但其潛在的用途過于廣泛且難以預(yù)測?？梢钥隙ǖ氖签ぉぴ谖磥淼娜兆永铹ぉに鼘母旧现厮苡?jì)算機(jī)運(yùn)算能力如何采購與管理、信息如何進(jìn)行控制以及供應(yīng)鏈信息技術(shù)經(jīng)濟(jì)?！? 本文授權(quán)編譯自EBN Online，版權(quán)所有，謝絕轉(zhuǎn)載 編譯：Susan Hong 參考英文原文：Cloud Can Unlock Supply Chain Innovations，by Barbara Jorgensen, EBN Community Editor

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{pagination} Cloud Can Unlock Supply Chain Innovations Barbara Jorgensen Supply chain innovation can come from anywhere: A minor process change can streamline a time-consuming function or a full-blown MRP solution can automate such processes. One of the more promising platforms for supply chain innovation is the cloud. The cloud, proponents say, enables better communication and collaboration across supply networks. The systems most often used by the electronics supply chain -- EDI, MRP or ERP -- are closed, costly, and don't communicate very well. Two key aspects of the cloud are enabling businesses to come up with new solutions to old problems, such as partner connectivity and cost. First, the cloud is Internet-based and scalable, so it allows partners to share data across a supply network without a lot of upfront investment. Second, users can develop a set of "rules" that enable partners to see the information they need while protecting other data. "ERP systems weren't designed to work across multiple platforms," explained Greg Kefer, director of corporate marketing for cloud-based solutions provider GT Nexus, in an interview earlier this year. "Every company's data is stored in 'silos;' in some cases a corporation will have more than [one] silo within its own four walls. The data simply isn't flowing across the [supply] network." GT Nexus takes data, translates it, and makes the data available to select members of the network. Although the information is standardized, linked, and centrally stored in the cloud, it is also partitioned. It is visible only to stakeholders that have been granted permission. "Being part of a group does not necessarily mean every partner sees the data," explains Kefer. Large OEMs are using the cloud to make it easier for small partners to collaborate in a supply network. PC manufacturer Lenovo, for example, uses a cloud-based solution from E2open to reduce partner on-boarding time as well as cost. It also uses the cloud for its procurement system. "One of [Lenovo's] key challenges was to increase control and transparency of purchasing costs associated with strategic components, while continuing to reap the efficiency and risk mitigation benefits of outsourcing," according to a recent case study published in conjunction with E2open. By leveraging the cloud, Lenovo now has direct control of strategic components purchasing regardless of where its PCs are manufactured. Procurement is managed through a single hub in Hong Kong. Specifically, Lenovo's Hong Kong procurement solution provides: · Complete automation and tracking of the order-to-cash and procure-to-pay processes · Elimination of the need for manual touches and data aggregation · Support for discrete orders and blanket orders/scheduling agreements · Purchase order (PO) collaboration between Lenovo and its suppliers and contract manufacturers · Confidential pricing agreements with key suppliers The system also provides support for Lenovo's global service network, enabling post-sale, warranty, and service providers to purchase their materials at lower, pre-negotiated prices. To date, Lenovo's solution has yielded the following benefits: · Improved cash conversion cycle · Strengthened market competitiveness through reduced purchasing costs of core commodities · Improved supply assurance and supply allocation abilities · Cycle time on supplier responses reduced from hours to minutes The cloud itself is not a solution to all supply chain problems: Experts cite security concerns among the cloud's shortcomings. As a tool, though, the cloud could provide endless opportunities for innovation. According to a recent Accenture article: Cloud computing promises to enable a wide and powerful range of capabilities; yet its potential uses are exceptionally broad and difficult to foretell. What is certain is that -- in the years to come -- it will radically reshape how computing power is sourced and managed, how information is controlled, and the economics of supply chain information technology.