Supply chains, or logistics networks get a product or service from the supplier to the customer by utilizing a number of systems and resources. The systems involved in supply chains include organizations, people, technology, activities and information.

Supply Chain Management is a term coined in the 1980s when business managers realized the need to integrate key processes from the end user through to the original suppliers. Incorporating a success supply chain management practices means fulfilling customer demands through the most efficient use of resources.

Various aspects of supply chain management include:

• Liaising with suppliers to eliminate bottlenecks
• Implementing JIT (Just In Time) techniques to optimize manufacturing flow
• Using location/allocation, vehicle routing analysis, Dynamic programming and, of course, traditional logistics optimization