VinLogic automobile supply chain simulation and decision-making

Video Review

Inventory and Supply Chain Management

VinLogic Video Review

The supply chain simulation of an automobile supply chain intends to teach individuals about some of the challenges and decision points that one might find in a real-world application. The simulation includes provisions for production planning, demand planning, and logistical routing information. This allows the user to face decisions about these business functions. Additionally, there are also different methods by which inventory can be routed to their final dealership locations. Users can chose various combinations of truck, rail, and freighter options and these options all have a related set of advantages and disadvantages.

Watching the overview of the simulation provides some insights about how complex the order-to-delivery process can be and how many decisions and sub-systems are involved in those processes. Not only must managers plan for future demand but they must also maintain inventory levels as well as the current production operations. During all of these processes, there are a lot of variables that can change quickly and the whole process must be recalculated as quickly as possible to redesign the whole process.

Ideas

One idea that came to mind was that small errors in supply chain management can have big impacts on the company's overall performance. For example, imagine on mistake was made and a dealership received the wrong color of vehicle which was consequently refused by the customer. Not only would the customer be upset but the whole order-to-delivery process would have to start all over. Production plans would have to change as well as new logistical plans to get the new vehicle to the customer as quickly as possible. It seems like a small detail that is overlooked in the supply chain could cost the company serious money and embarrassment. Therefore it is reasonable to suspect that there should be multiple checks to prevent any such errors.

Review of Computer Simulations