The digital boom of the 1990s linked up national and international industries, and accelerated communication and cooperation along the supply chain through uniform internet protocols such as HTML, HTTPS, and TCP/IP. The digitalization of business processes and e-commerce reimagined supply chain management from the ground up.
Business is no longer conducted only in local branches. Digital supply chains and online retail platforms are decentralized across the world and no longer rely on physical presence or face-to-face communication. In e-commerce, it’s possible to never meet one's own suppliers, customers, and contract partners in person, as long as supply chain management is well-organized and the SCOR model eliminates weaknesses and closes gaps in the supply chain. Since a large part of the processes are carried out via digital channels anyway and everything is, therefore, already well-documented, data can be easily analyzed in e-commerce – and processes can be better optimized.
To set up your own e-business, you need to follow the same planning and implementation steps as when you open a company. Company goals need to be aligned with delivery/transport logistics, distribution channels, capital, supply and demand, and compared with performance measurements.
In e-commerce, applying the SCOR model comes with significant challenges, because online customers have high expectations, including fast delivery, low costs, easy pay methods, available and efficient customer support. If you’re looking for ways to optimize your e-business or your online store, it’s worth applying the SCOR model to your digital supply chain management strategy.