Aim
The purpose of the course is to provide understanding and skills for how to select, evaluate, implement and use different types of Information Technology (IT) systems for Supply Chain and Logistics Management. The students will be introduced to systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (MRP/ERP), Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Transport Optimization (Fleet Management Systems), and Replenishment. The course will provide in depth understanding of selected systems via field trips and laboratory workshops. Students should also be familiar with critical issues regarding overall system architecture, such as advantages and disadvantages of selecting a general system versus a customized system.

By independently working with company related projects, the students are trained in small groups in identifying, theorizing, analyzing and solving problems related to Supply Chain IT software programs and solutions available in the market. In order to support this work, the course provides knowledge in different available modules and specifications, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. In addition to lectures and project, the course includes laboratory workshops and field trips to study utilizations of Logistic/Supply Chain information systems.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• Have deepened their knowledge within the Supply Chain information system area and increased their understanding and ability to apply this knowledge in practice

• Have increased their knowledge in various commercial Supply Chain IT software programs and solutions, their modules and their utilizations

• Understand challenges regarding overall architecture, selection, implementation and utilization of a Supply chain IT solution

• Have achieved an increased understanding of the criteria and the skills to evaluate different Supply chain IT software programs and solutions

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

• Be able to evaluate and select the most appropriate IT software program and solution within a practical scenario

• Critically be able to evaluate a Supply chain IT solution from a strategic and tactical perspective

• Practice on various commercial Supply Chain IT software programs and solutions

• Be able to understand the customer’s requirements and how to select a Supply Chain software vendor in accordance with them

• Be able to analyze the pros and cons of the chosen Supply Chain IT solution for the customer

• Be able to identify the critical success factors involved with the implementation of potential Supply Chain IT solutions

• Be able to address implementation issues

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• Have acquired the ability to evaluate and select various Supply Chain IT software programs and solutions and their modules that are applicable for a particular company

• Value how Logistics & Supply Chain Management effectiveness and efficiency can be improved by information technology

• Have developed insights into how Logistics & Supply chain information systems work

• Have a basic knowledge on qualities and specifications of various Supply chain IT software programs and solutions

Contents
The course is executed through lectures, laboratory workshops, field trips and an independent project. The lectures will introduce the students to various available IT software programs and solutions for the supply chain. Aspects covered in lectures will include software program modules, applications, requirements, specifications and so forth. Further, laboratory workshops are conducted to deepen the students’ knowledge and understandings of these IT solutions and to introduce them to their user interfaces. In addition, we will conduct field trips to introduce the students to the real life implications of these Logistics/Supply Chain information systems. Finally the students will conduct an applied group project in collaboration with a public or private organization/company.

The course will deal with the following themes:

• Benefits of information systems within the field of Logistics/Supply chain management

• Overall system architecture: single or multiple system

• Content, logic, and user interface of systems for e.g. Enterprise Resource Planning Warehousing, Transport Optimization, Replenishment.

• How to understand customers’ requirements from an information system perspective

• How to select Supply Chain IT solution for the customer

• Pros and Cons of various Supply Chain IT solutions

• Critical Success Factors for System Implementation

Literature
Compendium “Supply chain information systems”.
Further literature will be communicated later.

Code: 0112. Name: Project.
Higher education credits: 2,5. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: Satisfactorily completed project. Contents: By independently working with company related projects, the students are trained in small groups in identifying, theorizing, analyzing and solving problems related to Supply Chain IT software programs and solutions available in the market.

Code: 0212. Name: Individual Assignment.
Higher education credits: 4. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: Approved individual assignment.

Code: 0312. Name: Laboratory Work.
Higher education credits: 1. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: Satisfactorily completed laboratory work. Contents: Laboratory workshops are conducted to deepen the students’ knowledge and understandings of the IT solutions and to introduce them to their user interfaces.