A Proposed Architecture for Big Data Driven Supply Chain Analytics

📝 Abstract

Advancement in information and communication technology (ICT) has given rise to explosion of data in every field of operations. Working with the enormous volume of data (or Big Data, as it is popularly known as) for extraction of useful information to support decision making is one of the sources of competitive advantage for organizations today. Enterprises are leveraging the power of analytics in formulating business strategy in every facet of their operations to mitigate business risk. Volatile global market scenario has compelled the organizations to redefine their supply chain management (SCM). In this paper, we have delineated the relevance of Big Data and its importance in managing end to end supply chains for achieving business excellence. A Big Data-centric architecture for SCM has been proposed that exploits the current state of the art technology of data management, analytics and visualization. The security and privacy requirements of a Big Data system have also been highlighted and several mechanisms have been discussed to implement these features in a real world Big Data system deployment in the context of SCM. Some future scope of work has also been pointed out. Keyword: Big Data, Analytics, Cloud, Architecture, Protocols, Supply Chain Management, Security, Privacy.

💡 Analysis

Advancement in information and communication technology (ICT) has given rise to explosion of data in every field of operations. Working with the enormous volume of data (or Big Data, as it is popularly known as) for extraction of useful information to support decision making is one of the sources of competitive advantage for organizations today. Enterprises are leveraging the power of analytics in formulating business strategy in every facet of their operations to mitigate business risk. Volatile global market scenario has compelled the organizations to redefine their supply chain management (SCM). In this paper, we have delineated the relevance of Big Data and its importance in managing end to end supply chains for achieving business excellence. A Big Data-centric architecture for SCM has been proposed that exploits the current state of the art technology of data management, analytics and visualization. The security and privacy requirements of a Big Data system have also been highlighted and several mechanisms have been discussed to implement these features in a real world Big Data system deployment in the context of SCM. Some future scope of work has also been pointed out. Keyword: Big Data, Analytics, Cloud, Architecture, Protocols, Supply Chain Management, Security, Privacy.

📄 Content

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A Proposed Architecture for Big Data Driven Supply Chain Analytics

Sanjib Biswas1 and Jaydip Sen2 1Calcutta Business School, Bishnupur- 743503, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. E-mail: sanjibb@acm.org

2Calcutta Business School Bishnupur- 743503, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal Email: jaydip.sen@acm.org

Abstract

Advancement in information and communication technology (ICT) has given rise to explosion of data in every field of operations. Working with the enormous volume of data (or Big Data, as it is popularly known as) for extraction of useful information to support decision making is one of the sources of competitive advantage for organizations today. Enterprises are leveraging the power of analytics in formulating business strategy in every facet of their operations to mitigate business risk. Volatile global market scenario has compelled the organizations to redefine their supply chain management (SCM). In this paper, we have delineated the relevance of Big Data and its importance in managing end to end supply chains for achieving business excellence. A Big Data-centric architecture for SCM has been proposed that exploits the current state of the art technology of data management, analytics and visualization. The security and privacy requirements of a Big Data system have also been highlighted and several mechanisms have been discussed to implement these features in a real world Big Data system deployment in the context of SCM. Some future scope of work has also been pointed out.

Keyword: Big Data, Analytics, Cloud, Architecture, Protocols, Supply Chain Management, Security, Privacy.

1. Introduction In recent years, SCM has become one of the key enablers for achieving competitive advantage. An effective SCM can be proved critical for the success or failure of an organization and thus it becomes an important value driver for organizations. Increased 2

customer demand and variety, intensified competition, increasing complexity and dynamicity of global operations, pressure on innovation of products and services, advances in technology particularly information and communication technology (ICT) have added complexity in designing and managing supply chains. Over the years, the concepts and practices of SCM have undergone several changes that have been reflected in its ‘constantly evolving’ nature. From its initial cost efficiency focus to modern responsive and agile nature, SCM has witnessed a transformational change at the operational frontier. To sustain under volatile business environment, it has become imperative to operate with information driven strategies wherein collaboration among the members is one of the key success factors. Effective coordination and collaboration enables the members of a supply chain to achieve its global objectives.
However, sharing of information plays an indispensable role in SCM integration. It improves customer services and financial performances by providing accurate and relevant on-time information and also enhances supply chain visibility. It sets and monitors key performance indicators to highlight variances and inefficiencies and mitigates the bullwhip effect which is essentially caused due to the distortion of demand information while moving from downstream to upstream (Cheng et al., 2010; Lee & Whang, 2000; Lee et al., 1997; Miah, 2015; Vickery et al., 2003). How timely and accurately an organization can formulate an effective and futuristic strategy has become a critical issue in the context of modern SCM. Exploiting the rich capabilities of analytics, organizations can reap the benefits of Big Data- driven insights to work with optimal lead time and improve prediction of future to cope up with uncertainties. Researchers have found that in order to achieve seamless coordination or harmony among the members of a supply chain for taking right decision at right time, to deploy resources optimally and channelize all activities in right direction, to provide right product to the customers at right time, information acts as an invisible thread among the members. With the rapid evolution and adoption of ICT by the industries, colossal amount of data is being generated all pervasively from every activity across a supply chain. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), the estimated growth of digital data will be as high as 40 trillion gigabytes by 2020 as compared to approximately 2.8 trillion gigabytes in 2012. This opens up enormous opportunity for business organizations to effectively utilize such gigantic amount of data for making prudent business decisions. As the business world is progressing towards Industrie 4.0, every object linked with a supply chain is now acting as a continuous generator of data in structured or unstructured form. Germany Trade & Invest report (2014) described Industrie 4.0, the upcoming fourth industrial revolutions, as an intelligent ICT based dec

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