ASCI Knowledge Base

Supply Chain Knowledge Areas

• The ASCI Knowledge Base aligns with seven Knowledge Areas as follows:
  
  

• Supply Chain Strategy: 
  
  

• Supply Chain Management has evolved from the operational aspects of logistics, i.e., transport, warehousing, etc., into a strategic component of the organisation, playing a significant role in formulating the company’s strategy and impacting important business model decisions. Companies increasingly form part of global supply chain ecosystems, and the strategic implication of this has a considerable bearing on the company’s supply chain.
  
  

• Supply Chain Technology: 
  
  

• The exponential growth of Information Technology with communication technology in Supply Chain Management plays a critical role in optimising decisions of the supply chain network flow for achieving organisational competitiveness, improving higher service level, lowering inventory, supply chain costs and reducing electronic risks. To achieve integration and effective information sharing across and beyond the organisations, technology integration across the Supply Chain is required. Organisations are moving towards the virtual supply chain with the help of rapid changes in technology applications such as Electronic Data Exchange (EDI), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Bar Code, Electronic Commerce, Decision Support system, Enterprises Resource Planning (ERP) package, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, etc.
  
  

• Supply Chain Management:
  
  

• Supply Chain Management has evolved into a Strategic Value Network Management Philosophy. Because of its dynamic nature, Supply Chains is subject to continuous regeneration of networks of Businesses, integrated through Information Technologies, empowered to execute excellent, customer-winning value at the lowest cost through the digital, real-time synchronisation of products and services, vital marketplace information, and logistics delivery capabilities with demand priorities.
  
  

• Procurement
  
  

• Procurement entails identifying, acquiring, accessing, positioning, managing resources and related capabilities the organisation needs or potentially needs to attain its strategic objectives. The Procurement Officer provides procurement expertise and assists stakeholders in planning, developing, sourcing, and managing procurement arrangements to meet organisational and business goals effectively.
  
  

• Operations Management
  
  

• Operations Management refers to the administration of business practices to create the highest level of efficiency possible within an organisation. It is concerned with converting materials and labour into goods and services as efficiently as possible to maximise the profit of an organisation.
  
  

• Logistics Management
  
  

• Logistics Management is a crucial execution component in the supply chain used to meet customer demands by planning, controlling, and implementing the effective movement and storage of related information, goods, and services from origin to destination.
  
  

• Integrated Logistics Support
  
  In general, ILS plans and directs the identification and development of logistics support and system requirements for military systems to create systems that last longer and require less support, reducing costs and increasing return on investments. ILS, therefore, addresses these aspects of supportability not only during acquisition but also throughout the operational life cycle of the system. The impact of ILS is often measured in terms of metrics such as reliability, availability, maintainability, and testability (RAMT), and sometimes System Safety (RAMS).

 ASCI Supply Chain Management Glossary of Terms and Definitions

The ASCI Supply Chain Management Glossary of Terms and Definitions is a complete set of concepts, terms and activities that make up the Supply Chain Management domain. ASCI developed these in collaboration with industry and academia and aligned it with the Glossaries and Bodies of Knowledge from ASCI’s global partnerships with APICS, ISM and DDI. ASCI acknowledges its agreements with these organisations.

This Glossary will contribute to a more standardised approach to terms and definitions within the broader Supply Chain domain.