Proposal to Huffman Trucking: Enterprise Resource Planning System

If an IT system is put in place where trucks can be tracked on route, load capacity, and arrival time, the outbound and inbound logistics can be controlled in a precise fashion optimizing full truck loads per shipment and precise arrival times to minimize inventory holdings. In essence the mobile trucks will become mobile inventories dropping holding costs significantly. Furthermore, Deere will be able to eliminate duplication of tasks because those who dealt with outbound logistics can service inbound logistics as well. Coordination of the two activities in the supply chain will optimize Deere’s supply chain at each plant giving it an advantage over other competitors who outsource inbound, outbound or a combination of the two. This is because by keeping both in house, Deere may be able to continuously improve their management of logistics and reduce costs. Deere is more flexible when they in-source outbound and inbound logistics because they can send trucks to service the current logistics need. Performance measurement is also more efficient especially if the aforementioned IT system is utilized. Furthermore, cost reductions will ultimately be seen due to better utilization of infrastructure, IT and human resources if our proposal is implemented.

Rajib, S. U., Alam, S., & Arefin, S. (n.d.). A case study on integrating logistics information systems with the corporate resources. Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/1213764/A_Case_Study_on_Integrating_Logistics_Information_Systems_with_the_Corporate_Resources

Huffman Trucking plans to become a warehousing delivery supplier with providing the shipments just in time (Huffman Trucking, 2008). The implementation of just in time shipments, ERP, and vehicle tracking devices can enable Huffman Trucking to provide abilities to knowledge workers to improve its

It is widely known that logistics is the life blood of anything major. The logistics and transportation industry in the United

The second requirement was the ERP should support rapid business growth, especially with a company such as Hunter Manufacturing whom had recently acquired two business units. It is only logical to plan for future growth whether organically or through purchases of additional suppliers. In addition, the selected ERP solution should provide a common business solution across multiple and diverse product lines enabling faster communication and collaboration among all departments.

Rainforest started 10 years ago in a small warehouse staffing five employees, creating specialty widgets for its clients. Dedication to delivering the best possible experience for its customers has allowed Rainforest to grow substantially with retail outlets in 22 different states within the U.S. The recent acquisition of XYZ widgets, an online widget retailer, has poised Rainforest to expand into a global market. The acquisition and consolidation of two software of two software systems, including the expansion into a global market will present a challenge to the leadership of Rainforest, but these challenges can be handled in an effective and efficient manner using an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system.

Westminster Company is one of the largest manufacturers of consumer health products, based in US. Their distinctive name and company logo are recognized throughout the world. Westminster was originally founded as a family-owned pharmaceutical supply business in 1923, the company has expanded, by virtue of aggressive new product development, into a global provider of health care consumer products. It consumes three wholly owned subsidiaries, manufacturing grocery product, drugs, and mass merchandise. Intense rivalry in the market, and distresses of having an effective supply chain, made the company evaluate its supply chain and logistics. The primary focus of its research was the key clients of the three companies. To understand logistics the company must first know what logistics is and how it works. Logistics is defined as a business planning framework for the management of material, service, information and capital flows (Logistics World , 2014). Logistics is an important function of the business and without a proper logistics system, all the manufacturing, marketing and other activities would fail, overall resulting with the company failing to reach its full potential. After thoroughly analyzing the case study of, Westminster Company, to improve their current logistic strategy, they would need to implement the following strategies: developing and analyzing a new system to focus on strategic effort to ship their products in a timelier, efficient and in a more accurate

Barilla SpA, a large vertical integrated corporation that makes pasta and bread products is experiencing rising costs due to extreme variability in demand from its distributors. In order to improve company’s sale margins, Giorgio Magialli, the Director of Logistics at Barilla suggests to implement a Just-In-Time Distribution (JITD) system. The JITD system is a continuous replenishment distribution strategy, which the responsibility for determining inventory quantities shifts

Within this case the Comp Group are looking towards implementing Enterprise resource Planning (ERP) packages with the aim to build strong capabilities, improve performance, undertake better decision making and achieve a competitive advantage(Al‐Mashari and Al‐Mudimigh, 2003).

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It may be because of complex, ineffective flow in communication as a result of un-integrated information system in JAS.

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The class text states that Supply chain management is frequently divided into supply chain planning applications, supply chain execution applications, logistics management, and warehouse management. Often when companies fail at implementing an efficient supply chain because of the planning section, or inaccurate demand forecasts. The text states electronic data interchange is one of the earliest uses of information technology for supply chain management, Electronic data interchange is the use of the Internet for everyday business transactions. “In this era of information a firm’s supply chain should operate at speed of thought and this is possible only by enhanced e-speed communications and information sharing with their critical partners.” (4)

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