8.3.1 Benefits of electronic collaboration
Nestlé UK states that the advantages of collaborative systems are significant, and lists the following benefits:
• There is improved availability of product to the consumer, and hence more sales.
• Total service is improved, total costs are reduced (including inventory, waste and resources), and capacities can be reduced owing to the reductions in uncertainty.
• Processes that span two or more companies become far more integrated and hence simple, standard, speedy and certain.
• Information is communicated quickly, in a more structured way, and is transparent across the supply chain to all authorised users. All users know where to find up-to-date information.
• An audit trail can be provided to say when information was amended.
• E-mail prompts can update users of variance and progress, and can confirm authorisations.
• The data that are in the system can be used for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
• The process can be completed in a quick timescale, at a lower total cost.
• All trading partners become more committed to the shared plans and objectives. Changes are made with more care, and are immediately visible to all.