Who can successful supply chain get to Zero Inventory ?

Agreed with Mr. Hany Answer

By using Just in Time or supplier managed inventory.

I think it needs a lot of working and planning for the demand and deploying just-in-time technique .

First : Reducing amounts of raw materials & purchased parts and subassemblies by having suppliers deliver them directly.

Second: Reducing the amount of works-in process by using just-in-time production.

Third : Reducing the amount of finished goods by shipping to markets as soon as possible

lets thing how hard is it, and where can we deploy it.

Best regards

One of the best ways to improve profitability is to use a process known as just-in-time inventory management. As the name implies, with JIT, inventory is ordered and received just as it is needed, rather than days (or weeks) in advance. The concept of just-in-time isn’t new — it was first used by the Ford Motor Company in the early20th century — but today’s sophisticated inventory management software makes it practical for even relatively small companies.

The idea is to manage inventory so that you have just the right material, at just the right time, in just the right location, and in just the amount needed. When combined with modern computerized inventory management systems, JIT helps companies to keep better track of inventory that’s on the shelf and to reorder as soon as items get to a certain level.

if you can manage JUST IN TIME(JIT) , you don't need to have any inventory as supplier is responsible for managing the inventory near your area

Today Supply Chain Management includes services such as: ·

Operational Analysis and Design Materials Handling ·

Distribution Strategy ·

Operational Improvements, Distribution Management ·

Computer Systems ·

Warehouse Design Project Management ·

Operational Commissioning ·

Computer Simulation ·

Technical seminars

The Supply Chain Management Pipeline The freight transportation industry has undergone a revolutionary change during the last decade. As deregulation spread to all modes of transport, the number of surviving companies declined. Carriers unprotected by regulation discovered they could not differentiate themselves from the competition on price alone. Successful transportation companies must provide prompt pickup, excellent customer service, and swift, complete and damage-free delivery. The motor carrier industry forges a critical link in a multimodal Supply Chain Management system and must compete against time and service to stay in business. Shippers move cargo over whatever mode provides the best service. Less-than-truckload (LTL) motor carriers find their competition particularly stiff. Parcel carriers constantly increase their maximum shipment weight while truck load carriers now accept partial trailer loads as small as10,000 pounds. Shorter cycle times means better service. Customers' needs have also changed. The growth of Just-in-Time and Quick Response inventory management and third-party Supply Chain Management requires all participants in the Supply Chain Management chain to consider shorter cycle time a competitive advantage. Manufacturers, distributors, and some carriers effectively use information technology to reduce cycle times and improve the quality of freight handling. Package handlers use the technology to great competitive advantage. LTL* carriers are beginning to adapt their information systems to provide on-line, realtime data on the movement of freight through their systems. To successfully use information technology to speed the movement of freight, these carriers must have lowcost methods to accurately gather and disseminate data. Bar code and radio frequency technologies provide the tools for LTL carriers to survive and thrive. Traditional bar codes uniquely identify every package in the pipeline. Scanning the packages positively confirms custody transfer from shipper to carrier to consignee. Twodimensional bar codes on shipping documents record the entire bill of lading (BOL). Scanners in drivers' hands provide error-free entry of the BOL in less than a second. Radio communication from the truck cab to central operations immediately informs dispatchers of incoming freight. Similar scanning during delivery shortens the billing cycle and provides positive confirmation of delivery. Information technology speeds cargo through every phase of LTL operations. * Less-than-truckload UPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT INNOREGIO project S. Zygiaris, Msc, BPR Engineer BPR Hellas SA6 Dock management systems speed cross docking operations. A combination of radio communication and bar code scanning immediately delivers control information to people who need it. From dispatchers to fork operators, every member of the dock team receives immediate information where they work. The system efficiently tracks all packages from inbound docks through staging to outbound docks. No package waits for information. Yard management systems ensure the delivery of the right equipment to the right location at the right time. Radio communication to yard tractors keeps shuttle drivers working on the highest priority tasks. Real-time communication between yard drivers, hub managers, and information support systems provides positive control of all moving stock. Optimising personnel and rolling stock results in shortened stripping and loading time at the doors. Consistent application of appropriate information technology throughout the Supply Chain Management pipeline results in shortened cycle times and lowered effort. Immediate, reliable information allows managers to optimise their physical and human resources. While maximum benefit comes to those carriers who implement a consistent information strategy throughout their operations, segmentation of the problem allows carriers to phase in their transformation. Each phase provides immediate economic benefits, while improving the strategic position of the carrier.

Well, explained by experts

I agreed  your answer with Mr. Hany 

thanks for invitation 

Just in Time ... is a wonderful term ... 

>>>>>>> I fully agree with you MR Hany ............ Thanks.