Supply chain

A supply chain is the network of organizations, people, activities, and resources involved in producing and delivering a product or service to its users.

Supply chain management: The coordination of sourcing, production, logistics, and related flows across a supply chain. It aligns the decisions and operations that make the network function.
Supplier: An organization or person that provides goods or services to another organization. Suppliers provide the materials, components, or services entering the chain.
Just-in-time manufacturing: A production approach that receives materials near the time they are needed, limiting inventory. It synchronizes inbound supply closely with production schedules.
Value chain: The activities through which an organization creates value for customers. It emphasizes value creation within and across firms rather than the full delivery network.
Procurement: The process of acquiring goods and services from external suppliers. It governs how organizations obtain the inputs their supply chains need.
Distribution channel: The route through which a product or service reaches its users. Channels connect production with the markets and users a chain serves.
Lean manufacturing: A production philosophy focused on reducing waste while creating customer value. Its methods seek efficiency across connected suppliers and production stages.
Logistics: The planning and movement of goods, services, and related information between places. Logistics is one function within the broader set of supply-chain activities.
Manufacturing: The transformation of materials or components into finished goods. It converts sourced inputs into products that can move toward users.
Third-party logistics: The use of an external company to provide logistics services such as transport or warehousing. External logistics providers can operate key links without owning the product.

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