Supply chain consulting has entered new zones

Filed in archive Market Overview on October 1, 2008

Traditionally the market for consulting services in supply chain was focusing on the control, operations harmonization and logistics cost cutting efforts.

In other words, the traditional focus supply chain consulting was operational cost reduction.

In the last couple of years, the market has grown and the services demanded by the clients have also included the value-adding part of the equation (rather than only cost side). Tax optimization, Agile supply chain planning methods, quick response, etc. are all examples of the new types of the projects in the new market.

This has given a rise to certain players: Companies such as Accenture, CapGemini, Infosys and so on have grown a lot thanks to outsourcing and supply chain offerings. Some experts say now that everybody is talking about recession, there is a big risk that companies switch back toward and cut their supply chain spending.

On the other hand, other believe that the current situation provides lots of opportunities because companies need to think about innovative ways to operate their supply chain with low cost.

What do you think?