top of page

The Retrofitting of an Existing Supply Chain in Response to COVID-19


Supply Chain Management (SCM), which appeared in the early 1990s, has recently raised much interest since the declaration of COVID-19 as an outbreak by the World Health Organization (WHO). The opportunity of integrated management of the supply chain (SC) can reduce the propagation of unexpected/undesirable events through the network and can affect the well-being of all members decisively. Supply chain management seeks to integrate a plant with suppliers and customers to be managed as a whole. The coordination of input/output flows (materials, information and finances) so that products are produced and distributed in the right quantities, to the right locations, at the right time is the end goal.


The main objective is to achieve suitable economic results together with meeting the desired demand levels of goods [food and medicines]. The design of a new SC, the retrofitting of an existing SC, or the planning of the operation of the chain to meet ever-changing market conditions is a large-scale dynamic decision challenge.


At the operational level, SCM addresses the multisite scheduling under uncertainty of a supply chain comprising several plants, warehouses and retailers, and including also the transport of materials between the various nodes embedded in the network. The operational strategies are generally deterministic with targets set by the S&OP. Deterministic strategies consider all model parameters, such as cost coefficients, production rates, demand, and so on, as being known. These assumptions are not realistic and relevant in the presence of uncertainties due to COVID-19, where supplies and intermodal transportation is far more uncertain than demand. So, all companies must re-plan operational targets with high responsiveness on compromised efficiency.


It is suggested that incorporating demand uncertainty into planning decisions with small horizons would be appropriate. Efficiency should be compromised with agility, to meet customer demand in a COVID outbreak.



Azhar Qadri

Supply Chain Expert | Operational Intelligence | Smart Manufacturing & Excellence | Supply Chain Optimization | Consultant and Trainer

Profile


MBA, BE, PE, CSSC, CPIA, CSCP CDDP, CSCM, CSCA

Trainer and Consultant - SMEDA

Executive Member - SCAP

A successful career in supply chain necessitates a never-ending thirst for knowledge and the most up-to-date supply chain skills and knowledge. Even though continuing education and certification programs can take time and money, they help get your specialized knowledge or skills recognized.

https://www.vcare.international/certifications


When professionals have training that other professionals lack, it distinguishes them and sets them apart from the crowd. Certification and master classes show that the professionals are committed to learning, excelling, and using best practices.

https://www.vcare.international/mmc



Featured Certification Programs

Certified Stores and Stock Controller (CSSC)

Certified Production and Inventory Analyst (CPIA)


Featured Mini-Master Classes


Advanced

Mini-Master and Master Class

Supply Chain Sustainability with Circularity to Drive Profitability

Circularity is a methodology to reduce risk by eliminating waste and pollution in your supply chain. Circularity is above lean, superefficient supply chains by removing unnecessary inputs to the products and services.....

Star_4.png

4.5 Star Rating ! Love It

Advanced

Mini-Master and Master Class

Implementing 3PL and 4PL Strategies in the Value Chain

In an increasingly challenging overall market situation, it is difficult for any organization to anticipate and accommodate all internal expertise. Outsourcing logistics allows an organization to concentrate on its .....

Star_4.png

4.5 Star Rating ! Love It

Advanced

Mini-Master and Master Class

Collaboration among Sustainability, Procurement and Supply Chain

Sustainable procurement is the practice of making buying decisions that meet an organization's needs for goods and services in a way that is good for both the organization and society as a whole, minimizing its impact on the .....

Star_4.png

5 Star Rating ! Fantastic

Foundational

Mini-Master and Master Class

Supply Chain Framework and Strategy

It's no secret that the field of supply chain management is thriving. Businesses all around the world have changed their strategies and, more crucially, globalization and competition have forced businesses to rethink how they operate .....

Star_4.png

4 Star Rating ! Great

Intermediate

Certification Program

(CSSC) Certified Stores and Stock Controller

CSSC certification is designed to increase knowledge of the role of the store and warehouse, the functions of the store and warehouse personnel, how stock is managed and moved into through and out .....

Star_4.png

5 Star Rating ! Fantastic

Intermediate

Certification Program

(CPIA) Certified Production and Inventory Analyst

CPIA program is designed to increase your knowledge of a business environment and in particular the role manufacturing plays in business. The program will provide insights into the many opportunities that exist .....

Star_4.png

4.5 Star Rating ! Love It

bottom of page