Article at a glance:

Getting supply chain software right

Over the past ten years, companies have spent a huge amount of money installing supply-chain-management software. While a number of them have seen big improvements, many companies—including some that made less progress than others that didn't implement it—have been disappointed with the results. After looking at 63 high-tech companies that installed supply chain software, the authors distilled four guiding principles for success.

The take-away

Unless the software is coupled with improvements in a company's most important supply chain processes as well as better training, clear accountability, and more realistic goals, it can't improve the flow of goods and information. The difference between a successful installation and an unsuccessful one is a supply chain that is in good shape.