The Role of Information System in Supply Chain Information Management

The traditional seller market where organizations attempt to own much of their supply chain has been replaced by a fast moving, consumer-led competitive market, where organizations are realizing that it is imperative for them to manage the resources that flows through their value chain. Information has been identified as one of the major resources that flow through the supply chain. Sharing of information encourages the establishment of better relationships among trading partners. It also improves the organization of inventory, maximization of profit and the overall management of the value chain's activity. However, one major problem is that as information is being shared, it becomes vulnerable to both internal and external threats and possible distortions and disruptions, which if not properly attended to and adequately managed, could affect the overall operations of the supply chain. To manage, provide solutions and contain information threats and vulnerabilities within the supply chain, Information systems are being used to facilitate the sharing of information within supply chains. This paper presents the role of information systems in the management of information within supply chains.