Supply Chain Management of HP - Assignment Example

The total integrated inventories with the global retailers had adopted by the organization corresponds to the rapid response model established by Towill and Christopher (2002). Consequently, the predictable demand model may be applied in the incorporated system adopted by the HP. Analysis and Findings Depending upon the basic assumptions that demand is either volatile or predictable, the product is either special or standard; supply lead times can either be short or long(Christopher &Towill, 2002, p.1).These assumptions can and are all applicable to the global supply market.

Towill and Christopher (2002) had induced eight possibilities for the supply chain based on the product, lead times, and demand (p. 10). Furthermore, these specified characteristics are coherent to the critical mathematical combination formulae associated with the number of several possibilities in order to combine three sets of two elements. The analysis of these possibilities, in respect with cost-effectiveness and agility, Towill and Christopher (2002) had concluded that the representativeness of three pipelines such as agile pipeline, quick response pipeline, and lean pipeline model as the supply chain management tools (pp.9-11). Agile Pipeline Model Considering the agile pipeline model, agility can be referred as the business-wide capability that can embrace the organizational structure, logistic process, and information system and business process mindset (Christopher &Towill, 2002, p. 8).Not to mention, that the major characteristic of an agile organization is its flexibility in business operations.

Implementation of this process can bring flexibility in the manufacturing process through significant automation (Christopher &Towill, 2002, p. 8). Therefore, this will help to initiate a rapid change process in the supply chain management process of HP; additionally, the concept of production flexibility was enlarged into the wider business context. Plus, it is recommended that HP should organize an orientation program to implement the concept of agility significantly. Lean Pipeline Model Implementation of the lean pipeline model in business process will help HP to focus on the reduction or elimination of solid waste.

Moreover, it will help to maximize the supply chain efficiency through the level scheduling. Leanness can be referred to as the agile element in several circumstances (Christopher &Towill, 2002, p.8). Generally, several leading organizations around the globe use these approaches collaboratively to meet the customers’ needs rapidly. Both the lean and agile philosophies play an important role in enabling customized pipelines (Christopher & Towill, 2002, p.8). These are efficient low-cost processes that can optimize the materials and product flow of HP in an effective way.