An organization must constantly seek ways to increase productivity to maintain its competitive advantage. Gone are the days of using old methods and old technologies in an increasingly global economy. One way in which organizations have become competitive players in the global marketplace is by instituting supply chain management (SCM) systems. This series is designed to show you how to effectively apply SCM along with associated technologies to make your organization more productive. The series begins with an introduction to the fundamentals of supply chain management, including its history, concepts, strategies, opportunities and challenges. In the second course of this series, you will learn strategies for implementing SCM systems. The third course examines planning and managing inventory. In this course, you will explore the role of management in the processes of developing and implementing a SCM system. The fourth course exposes you to the role that technology plays in developing and implementing an e-business model and maintaining the infrastructure that supports your SCM system. Finally, in the last course, you will examine the important role that transportation and facility design have in ensuring products are available when and where customers want them. When an efficient supply chain network is implemented, both cycle times and transportation costs can be reduced dramatically. The series, Supply Chain Management, will assist you and your organization in evaluating your existing supply chain and building a management system that is both responsive to your customers' needs and to your business goals in today's competitive marketplace.