Service Parts Management

Returns Management: How to Convert Trash to Treasure

July 1, 2005

Some companies are adopting new returns management processes to gain competitiveness and reduce costs. It isn't magic, but most organizations still haven't caught on.

Inventory Optimization Is a Delicate Balancing Act to Cut Costs Yet Keep Service Levels Up

June 1, 2005

Russell W. Goodman, Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies

Afraid to let safety stocks get too low, companies often get overwhelmed by their inventory. New ideas, processes and technologies in inventory management can solve that.

Sun Micro Stops Handling Its Parts Management in Pieces

February 1, 2005

Preaching the gospel of Six Sigma, the company takes a global approach to the coordination of after-market parts planning, inventories and distribution.

Supply-Chain Managers' Dilemma: Balancing Long-Term Value With Need to Control Cost

December 1, 2004

While many companies curb investments in new supply-chain systems and process change, some take the long view. They're spending now, to realize big payoffs later.

Southwest Airlines Maintains Its Profitability with i2 Technologies

August 1, 2004

Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies

National Instruments Faced Supply Challenges With Global Expansion

April 1, 2004

Jean V. Murphy-Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies

A conversation with Rob Porterfield, director of supply-chain management and international operations at National Instruments.

For Ford Motor Co.,the Aftermarket Is No Longer an Afterthought

March 1, 2004

The automaker teams up with Caterpillar Logistics and SAP to forge a new information system to manage the flow of service parts to dealers around the world.

SPECIAL ISSUE: GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN PARTNERSHIPS - DaimlerChrysler: Extreme Logistics? Putting an "X" in Third-Party Services

July 1, 2002

SPECIAL ISSUE: GLOBAL SUPPLY-CHAIN PARTNERSHIPS - Toyota: Just-in-Time vs. Just-in-Case

July 1, 2000

With Critical Parts, Delivery is Counted In Hours, Not Days

June 1, 2000

Kurt C. Hoffman

Service parts providers may offer central warehousing, repairs or merely quick delivery, but OEMs are finding their networks essential to their continued operations.

Service Parts Management

The latest news, analysis, services and systems regarding service parts management and its impact on global supply chains. Today’s companies provide support services and parts for years after an initial product sale, and post-sale service can be key to securing customer loyalty and maintaining competitive differentiation. New technologies are allowing companies to increase forecast accuracy for service parts, reduce excess or obsolete spare parts inventory and enhance scrapping programs across all industries. As these services continue to evolve, businesses are discovering new ways to increase efficiency and cut costs. Learn how companies are using service parts management solutions to power their supply chains.