In: Operations Management
Please Give the Full Answers
Company: Wal-Mart (write on the following guidline)
1. Describe the process: list the key tasks performed and sequence of steps, people involved, equipment used, environmental conditions, work methods, and materials used.
2. Describe the players: external and internal customers and suppliers, and process operators.
3. Define customer expectations: what the customer wants, when, and where, for both external and internal customers.
4. Determine what historical data are available on process performance, or what data need to be collected to better understand the process.
Walmart manages an average of dollar 32 million in an inventory. Walmart has the most efficient supply chain management system which has contributed to its success. Walmart initiated vendor managed inventory where manufacturers are responsible for managing walmart warehouses. This resulted in hundred percent order fulfillment on merchandise. Company entered into strategic partnership with most of its vendor and quoted lowest prices for high volume purchases. Walmart uses cross Docking as a Logistic practice to replenish inventory efficiently. It reduces transportation time, transportation cost and eliminate inefficiencies, walmart uses Technology to forecast demand track and predict inventory levels, create highly efficient transportation routes and manage customer relationship. walmart also implemented universal product code barcode to track the product. walmart also devised retail link which is the datebase that forecast supplier demands to supplier network which displays real time sales data to walmart distribution centres. Recently Walmart also started using radio frequency identification tag which are the numerical code that can be scanned from a distance to track pallet of merchandise moving along the supply chain.
Customer expectations from Walmart is low cost product, discount, stores nearby their residence.