Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Time: 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: Mercedes-Benz Training Center (Room A11) 
Cost: $20
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SCM - Delivering on its Promise

Four Cardinal Principles for Maximizing Payback from Supply Chain Technology Investments.

In a recent Booz Allen Hamilton survey of nearly 200 companies worldwide, the depth of frustration with SCM systems was evident with nearly half of the respondents characterizing their implementations as a disappoint. Although software vendors and systems integrators have frequently taken much of the blame for these failed programs, the survey also revealed that the implementing organizations need to take at least partial responsibility for these efforts not meeting expectations. Among the business-related issues negatively impacting the success of these initiatives were implementation delays caused by problems on the business side, the inability of organizations to define technology needs cross-functionally, and a lack of extended enterprise participation.

The business side of the organization should not neglect its critical role in making sure that SCM system implementations are successful. The classic guidelines for technology investments also hold true for supply chain management technology implementations: strong executive support, mature program management capabilities, and a willingness of the organization's business units to embrace the changing work habits that will be introduced by the new technology. To make these projects a success, the four Cardinal Principles will help organizations get the most value from their SCM technology implementation:

1. Be SMART- IT departments and business units must arrive at a common understanding on what role the SCM technology investment will play and what capabilities it will or will not bring.
2. Treat supply chain technology as an integral part of the business- SCM system investments should be strategic features in a company's overall application portfolio and technology capabilities.
3. Exercise project management best practices- Manage complexity or it will manage you. Supply chains are comprised of a complex yet critical set of functions that have an impact throughout an entire organization. Successful implementations require a mixture of well-designed work plans, strong project leadership skills, and the ability to manage change.
4. Focus on the people- Even the best planned SCM technology introductions will fail if employees are unprepared for the implementation.

Jeffrey Bloom

An executive with over 17 years of industry, consulting and global management experience, Mr. Bloom is a Principal with Booz Allen Hamilton's Information Technology Practice. Mr. Bloom has significant experience leading large initiatives that have assisted consumer products companies and manufacturing (Automotive and Heavy Industrial) utilize technology to transform their supply chain. Specific area's of focus have included leading full systems life cycle development (strategy, design, construction and deployment) for both custom and package solutions. ERP and supply chain solutions experience include i2, Manugistics, SAP and Microsoft Business Solutions. Mr. Bloom's supply chain area's of expertise include, order management, demand and supply planning, logistics, procurement through payment, supplier relationship management and RFID solutions. Prior to joining Booz Allen, Mr. Bloom was lead Microsoft Consulting Services Automotive practice which included developing software solutions for the automotive industry. An acknowledged business and information technology thought leader and author, Mr. Bloom received his MBA in Finance and Management of Global Information Technology from the Kogod College of Business at American University. He received his B.A. from the University of Michigan in Political Science.