Managing the Supply Chain: The Definitive Guide for the Business Professional

By: David Simchi-Levi, Philip Kaminsky, and Edith Simchi-Levi

McGraw-Hill, 2004

$39.95; 308 pages

ISBN: 0-07-141031-7

To order: visit www.books.mcgraw-hill.com or most major booksellers

Managing the Supply Chain is a sampler of the latest trends, theories, and topics in supply chain management. The table of contents alone reads like a list of the top ten hottest SCM concepts—ranging from alliances and integration to network planning and outsourcing.

The last time authors David Simchi-Levi, Philip Kaminsky, and Edith Simchi-Levi collaborated, they produced the highly regarded textbook, Designing and Managing the Supply Chain. This time out, Kaminsky and the Simchi-Levis are writing less for the classroom and more for the busy executive. Based heavily on their textbook, this book distills down all of the leading supply chain concepts into the length of a typical mystery novel. To cover so many topics in such a small space, the book can't afford to waste words. Indeed, it provides good, quick-hit explanations of such things as the bullwhip effect, how to select the right forecasting method, postponement, and cross-docking.

The goal of the book is not to explore new ground or breakthrough ideas. Instead it's to collect and condense leading-edge concepts and insights while also suggesting some practical tools and decision-support systems. The authors do this without overwhelming the reader with too much technical detail. The complex topics that are addressed—such as how to optimize a logistics network—are presented clearly and logically but not simplistically.

Nor does Managing the Supply Chain ignore or gloss over the complexities of supply chain management. Instead the authors acknowledge the trade-offs and challenges of the approaches they propose. They constantly keep in mind that their intended audience—managers and consultants—operates in the practical world of the marketplace. For this reason, the book focuses on how these theories play out in the real world and contains a peppering of real-life applications and failures.

www.clm1.org

Council of Logistics Management Web site

The Council of Logistics Management (CLM) recently revamped its Web site, expanding its online offerings to include a glossary of supply chain terms and a logistics software directory. These additions strengthen the existing services provided by this leading supply chain and logistics management organization.

Compiled by consultant Kate Vitasek, the new glossary is the best Web-based resource for logistics-related terms and definitions. The comprehensive 135-page document defines both broad terms such as "distribution" and "core competency" as well as more specific ones like "free on board" and "rate-based scheduling." The glossary also provides a good mix of technology and economic definitions and equations for such things as inventory days of supply, total supply chain response time, and fill rate by order.

While the glossary is free to all, the "2004 Logistics Software Directory" is only available to members and subscribers. This searchable online software directory provides listings from more than 200 logistics technology firms. Users can search by general functional areasuch as customer relationship management, order processing, or transportation management. Or they can look up companies by a specific functionality within these general areas. The listings provide users with contact and Web site information as well as a brief description and listing of capabilities, vertical and industry focus, and pricing information. Easy to use, the directory quickly provides you with a list of all the technology vendors that possess the functionality you want.

The software directory is free to all CLM members. Nonmembers interested in the software directory can subscribe for $495 or join CLM for $250.