Question

This discussion is an opinion question(s) based on your knowledge and experience. The question is: Are intermediaries necessary for successful product distribution? Does it matter if it is an industrial product for manufacturing or a consumer product? How does the concept of distribution apply to services? Give some thought to the impact of technology and new concepts in supply chain management.

Answer 1

answer-

1- Are intermediaries necessary for successful product distribution?

intermdediaries are very important part of supply chain management in which they help the company to distribute thier products/services to end consumers.these intermdeiaries are distributors,wholesellers,retailers etc.

lets take the example to understand the importance of intermediaries-

as we all know that there are many FMCG manufacturing companies which manufactures foods like bread, biscuits, ice cream ,curd etc. so company manufacture them but does not sell them directly to customers then why they need intermediaries because.

• intermediaries helps the company to distribute thier products in time before they persih as FMCG products are persihable in nature.
• it helps to meet the daily demand of the customers by distributing FMCG products from manufacturere to end consumers.
• it also help the company to know the market demand as intermediaries interact with customers on face-face basis.

so see, how intermediaries are neccessary in successful product distrbution.

2- Does it matter if it is an industrial product for manufacturing or a consumer product?

no, it does not matter if  it is an industrial product for manufacturing or a consumer product because company needs intermediaries for its supply of raw materials as well as for distribution of the consmuer goods.

these intermediaries can be more in numbers or less in numbers but they are neccessary.

for example- a car manufacturing company needs the supply of engine or other body parts of the car then it requires supplier or distributor to get the part at low cost & high quality also in consumer products like electronic items company can not sell them directly they require retailers to sell thier expensive electronic items.

How does the concept of distribution apply to services?Give some thought to the impact of technology and new concepts in supply chain management

distribution is not only left with the concept of delivery of goods to end consumers but it is also growing new concepts & features in supply chain with the introduction of technology.the technology has impact the supply chain in postive manner in which some extra services are given in the distribution of the products.

• technology has enabled the consumers to have the tracking services means they can track thier products.
• technology has made distribution easy as other intermediaries can communicate with each other easiliy.
• the performance report of the distribution means no. of item delivered, remaining deliveries, no. of locations to be served etc can be managed easiliy.

* as EA, i can answer one out of mutiple questions but i tried to answer all for your help in my own words.hope this answer would help you.good luck.