Supply Chain workflows in large enterprises can be extremely complex with many moving parts and several human-centric tasks and convoluted processes that are dependent on various functions, departments, and teams.
This degree of complexity makes traceability and trackability quite tricky, which is why organizations often rely on ERP systems and custom-implementations to enhance workflows using technology-centric processes.
ERP Systems built by SAP, Oracle, Infor & Microsoft also include specific modules for supply chain management, with many of them offering specialized modules for manufacturing, logistics and distribution.
What is Data Governance and How Does It Help?
The idea of a golden record, a single source of truth, so to speak emerged sometime in the early 2000s. Since then, the master data concept has been heavily adopted.
Mainly due to the various benefits of centrally managing and maintaining data records, master data ensures that a single org-wide record will capture all the necessary information and details of a given entity.
The type of master data will depend on the entity, which can include:
Materials or MRO Parts & Spares: Core raw materials, consumables, and spare parts essential for manufacturing and maintenance operations.
- Managing AI RPA: Core raw materials, consumables, and spare parts essential for manufacturing and maintenance operations.
- Vendors or Suppliers: Entities that provide goods or services, including manufacturers, distributors, and service providers.
- Customers or Distributors: Businesses or individuals who purchase products or services, including resellers and end-users.
- Employees: Workforce-related records covering personal details, roles, payroll, and organizational hierarchy
- Products: Finished goods or services offered to customers, including SKUs, configurations, and specifications.
- Services: Intangible offerings such as consulting, maintenance, or IT support, often linked to contracts or work orders.
These systems were originally built to manage data and ensure real-time insights at a plant, location, function or even at an equipment level.
