What is Supply Chain Management (SCM)?

Supply chain management (SCM) is the broad range of activities required to plan, control, and execute from materials to production for delivery in potentially the most economical way.

SCM incorporates integrated planning and implementation of the processes needed to optimize the flow of materials, information and capital into functions that include demand planning, sourcing, production, inventory management and logistics – or storage and transportation. Companies use both business strategy and specialized software in these efforts to create a competitive advantage.

Supply chain management is a broad and complex undertaking that depends on each partner – from suppliers to manufacturers and beyond – to run well. Because of this, effective supply chain management also requires change management, collaboration and risk management to create alignment and communication among all participants.

In addition, supply chain sustainability – which covers environmental, social and legal issues in addition to sustainable procurement and a closely related concept of corporate social responsibility – that evaluate a company’s impact on the environment and social welfare – of today’s companies Areas of major concern for.

Benefits of supply chain management

There are a number of benefits of Supply Chain Management. Listed below:

Lower Inventories
Lower Costs
Higher Productivity
Greater Agility
Higher profits
Increased Collaboration
Higher Revenues
Shorter Lead Times
Greater Customer Loyalty
Increased Customer Service
Enables Companies to Better Manage Demand
Deal with Disruptions
Keep costs to a minimum and meet customer demand in the most effective way.
These SCM benefits are achieved through effective strategy and choosing the appropriate software to manage the increasing complexity of today’s supply chain.

What is the process of Supply chain management?

“Supply chain management is the process of transporting products from raw materials to the consumer that includes product planning, demand planning, supply planning, sales and operations planning, and supply management.”

The supply chain management process is made up of four important parts: 1. Demand Management, 2. supply management, 3. Sales and operations planning and 4. Product Management.

Demand Management
Demand management consists of three main parts: Demand Planning, Merchandise Planning and Business Promotion Planning.

Demand planning is the process of seeking to ensure that products are delivered in a reliable manner. Effective demand planning can improve the accuracy of revenue forecasts, align inventory levels with peaks and troughs in demand, and increase profitability for a particular channel or product.
Merchandise planning is a systematic approach to streamlining investment on purchases, buying and sales, to maximize investment (ROI), as well as providing markets at locations, times, prices, and quantities.
Business promotion plans are a marketing technique to increase demand for products in retail outlets based on special pricing, performance fixtures, display, value-added bonuses, no-obligation gifts and other promotions. Trade promotions help drive short-term consumer demand for products typically sold in retail environments.
Supply management
Supply management is consists of five main areas: 1. Supply Planning, 2. Production Planning, 3. Inventory Planning, 4. Capacity Planning and 5. Distribution Planning.

The supply plan determines how to meet the requirements created by the demand plan. The objective is to balance supply and demand in a way that achieves the financial and service objectives of the enterprise.
Production planning plays a key role in addresses the production and manufacturing modules within a company. It considers the resource allocation of employees, production capacity and materials.
Inventory planning determines the optimal amount and time of inventory to align with sales and production needs.

Capacity planning determines the production staff and equipment required to meet the demand for products.
The distribution planning oversees the movement of goods from a manufacturer or supplier to the point of sale. Distribution management is an overlapping term that refers to processes such as packaging, warehousing, inventory, supply chain and logistics.
Sales and operations planning
Sales and Operations Planning is a monthly integrated business management process that empowers leadership to focus on key supply chain drivers including sales, marketing, inventory management, demand management, production and new product introductions.

The aims of Sales and operations planning are to enable executives to make better-informed decisions through a dynamic connection to plans and strategies throughout the business. Often repeated on a monthly basis, Sales and operations planning enables effective supply chain management and focuses on delivering the resources of an organization that their customers need while remaining profitable.

Product Management
Product management is a process from product idea creation to market introduction. Create an idea for a product and follow it until the product is introduced to the market. A company should have an exit strategy for its product when it reaches the end of its profitable life or if the product does not sell well.

Product management includes: New Product Introduction, Cannibalism scheme, End of life planning, Commercialization and ramp planning, Contribution margin analysis, portfolio management, Brand and Platform Planning

This is the same when it comes to using drones for bridge examinations. But there are a large number of benefits that you can get when you are making use of a drone for bridge inspections. These are some of the benefits that inspectors and bridge builders have when they are using a drone.

1) Getting to the hard to reach places easier

Analysing a bridge can be hard. Especially, to reach all the places where the bridge needs to be inspected. Getting to these places takes time, and can be dangerous. However, not if you are making use of a drone.

With a drone, especially a high-quality one, you will be able to reach all the places on the bridge. Underneath the bridge, and on top of the bridge. Making sure that you are examining everything that needs to be inspected in no time. You can even take the photos and review the condition of the bridge later again.

2) More accurate analysis

To analyse a bridge for faults that are already done with a building, can be impossible. The analysis can be inaccurate and there might be some places where you and your crew might not even be able to reach.

This is the thing about using a drone. There isn’t anything impossible for a drone. Meaning that you will reach all the areas, and the analysis will be more accurate. Ensuring that you won’t certify a bridge as safe, while you didn’t get to all the places on the bridge.

3) Getting the analysis done cheaper

You will need to hire a complete crew of inspectors to get the analysis done as fast as possible. Meaning that you will need to pay a lot of inspectors for doing the examinations. Or, you need to pay penalties because you didn’t make the deadline for the bridge analysis.

The moment that you are making use of a drone, all these problems fall away. You will be able to get the analysis done a lot faster, and you will only need to hire one inspector. The one that is going to fly the drone. Meaning that you won’t need to pay penalties or salaries for more than one person. Making it cheaper to do the analysis cheaper.

4) Better analysis will ensure improved safety of the public

How many bridges have collapse because of not building it properly? And, because the inspection wasn’t done correctly? This happens all over the world. Not because people don’t care, but because it is hard to get to every point on the bridge after the bridge has been built.

Because you are using a drone, the examination will be done easier, faster, and more effective. Meaning that you will ensure that more people are going to be safe when using the bridge. Improving the safety of the public when using the bridge.

These are just a couple of benefits that you and your inspection crew will have when you are making use of a drone when you are doing bridge examinations. It is essential to make sure that the bridge is done correctly, even at the hard to reach places. With a drone, there isn’t such a thing as hard to reach places, and you will easily see if there are any building problems that can cause loss of life later on.

CR Asia is a leading industrial plant maintenance services provider and shutdowns and turnarounds professional, delivering a complete range of services to the oil, gas, chemical, refining and power industries, including mechanical services, mechanical engineering, heat exchanger maintenance services, catalyst handling and more.

Acne has become a problematic skin condition for many people. A pimple that comes from nowhere becomes very annoying and frustrating but the situation gets worse when it leaves behind a dark spot or scar. American Academy of dermatology considers acne scarring as a part of the healing process where skin tries to correct what has been damaged by the breakout. The process involves the production of collagen that enables the skin to be renewed.

Some of the people are lucky enough to have spots after the breakout that come and go without leaving a scar. But for most people, these scars become quite stubborn and lead to an emotional toll, and ultimately become the reason for self-consciousness and embarrassment.

Are you wondering how to regain your clear skin and get rid of these scars? Nothing to be worried about as there are several ways you can follow to lighten them. You just need to be consistent as all of these treatment options take time to work.

Let’s go through the process of lightening the acne scars!

Sunscreen is a Must

The very first rule of thumb is to get a good sunscreen to apply. Many dermatologists have agreed upon the fact that visible light and UV rays coming from the sun further darken the acne spots. Also, if you are on acne treatment that mostly involves ingredients likesalicylic acidand retinoid, your skin becomes more prone and vulnerable to UV rays and sunburns. Therefore, it is very necessary to wear sunscreen on daily basis. However, the sunscreen you are choosing for your acne-prone skinshould be non-greasy, lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic (do not clog pores). The wrong product can even aggravate the situation. Therefore, use a sunscreen recommended by your dermatologist.

Ingredients that can help lighten acne scars

There are some powerful ingredients you can use, that are proven to lighten the stubborn acne scars:

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidantthat neutralizes free radicals and reduces redness. Its healing properties accelerate the production of collagen and increase the cell turn over thus lightening the scars.

Retinol

Topical retinol or retinoid is very helpful in lightening acne scars as it blocks inflammation, lessens acne lesions, and speeds up cell regeneration. The production of new cells fades the acne marks and thus helps in preventing hyperpigmentation.

Azelaic acid

It is a natural acid found in grains like wheat and barley. It has been found very helpful in treating acne and its scars. It works by reducing inflammation, clearing pores, and increasing cell turnover so that your skin goes on the verge of quick healing reducing the acne marks

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is another ingredient you can look up to for fading your acne scars. It treats post-acne hyperpigmentation by obstructing the transfer of melanin to the surface of the skin. Unlike other products is very soothing and not affected by light, oxidizers, or moisture.

PIH or PIE

The time is taken and the effectiveness of the product also depends on the type and nature of scars. It can be post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) causing brown or black marks usually in people with dark skin tone and Post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) producing red marks in people with light skin tone. Identifying the right scar and treating it accordingly is very important. There is no shortcut to clearing acne scars but a long process, which depends upon the efficiency of serum you are applying, the current condition of your acne, and your age. Overall, for any good product, it takes a minimum of 3 to 6 months to heal your acne and fade the scars. So do not rush and be consistent!

Some people opt to go through a clinical process to treat their scars, which involves a laser, chemical peeling, fillers, micro-needling (collagen induction therapy), injections, surgery, etc. However, it may become unaffordable for many. A proper skincare routine including sunscreen and a good product with ingredients mentioned above can do the same and handle the acne effectively and affordably. It is worth mentioning here to avoid physical exfoliators rather than chemical exfoliators as mentioned above as physical exfoliation can worsen the marks by even darkening them, also it can be very harsh for the skin.