The acronym SCM stands for supply chain management. It refers to the systems, processes, and software packages used by organizations to manage day-to-day operating activities such as product lifecycle management, supply chain planning, procurement , logistics, order management and fulfillment, manufacturing, and maintenance management. SCM systems provide a strategic advantage and business insight to companies and their operations. SCM systems tie together and define a plethora of business processes and enable the flow of information between them – in essence, SCM is the new business operating model. By giving an organization end-to-end visibility from developing products to fulfilling orders, through planning, managing inventory, sourcing, manufacturing, and delivery, SCM systems provide the competitive advantage for companies to innovate, connect and simplify their business.

Today, SCM systems are critical to businesses of all sizes and in all industries for managing their day-to-day operations. To these businesses, SCM is as indispensable as the water we drink to survive.