Supply Chain Management (SCM) is the most important component of a manufacturing firm. At its core, SCM includes inventory management, materials acquisition, transformation of raw materials into finished products, shipping, and transportation. 

To help improve efficiency within the organization, as well as all along the supply chain, a Supply Chain Management software program can be implemented.  This type of system has many benefits, but also many potential problems.  There can be long term and short term financial issues when employing a modern SCM sytem.  Alternative solutions also exist that can make a supply chain more effective.  All of these components need to be examined before applying SCM technology into any company.