How does ICT enable Supply Chain Integration and Agility? Introduction It is often claimed that information communication technologies (ICT) will be for the economy what steam and machine power were to the industrial revolution (Van Hoek 2001 ). The new economy is increasingly focused on knowledge development and distribution, using ICT and software to drive an innovation explosion (Quinn et al 1997 ). The deployment of ICT is driven by the desire to reduce cost, increase efficiency and improve …showed first 75 words of 3458 total…

…showed last 75 words of 3458 total…supply chain including production and even product return (e.g. Excel & Reebok). Radio Frequency identification (RFID) provides the same tracking ability but the proximity at which the ID can be read allows for greater flexibility (e.g. read within packaging). Both methods are useful in complex distribution and reverse logistics as well as the integration with point of sale systems. Detailed and even unique information is stored in the barcode/ID for each item