D Terms in the Supply Chain Glossary

A user-friendly management tool that visually displays key business metrics and objectives.

A structured data management system that separates computer programs from data files, reducing redundancy and enabling modifications to data elements without altering existing programs.

The process of analyzing data to uncover hidden patterns or relationships, which can then be used to achieve specific business goals.

A relational database optimization technique that minimizes data duplication and prevents logical or structural anomalies, often employed when merging multiple datasets.

A centralized repository of processed data, designed specifically to support decision-making and analytical applications.

A measure of how long the available inventory will last, calculated by dividing inventory units by daily usage.

A measurement of an asset or liability expressed in terms of the number of days of sales.

The average time, in days, between purchasing materials and making cash payments.

The average time, in days, between making a sale and receiving payment from the customer.

A third-party transportation provider that exclusively serves a single client.

The duration from receiving a customer order to the delivery of the product.

A specific timeframe during which goods or services are scheduled for delivery.

The supply chain as viewed from the customer’s perspective, focusing on entities that influence demand through product or service selection.

A planning process that aligns strategic and tactical plans to establish key parameters for a demand-driven operating model, based on business strategy, market intelligence, and key objectives.

A supply network where customer purchases trigger real-time information flows and product movement through the system.

The amount of time potential customers are willing to wait for the delivery of a product or service.

A comprehensive process combining statistical methods and judgment to estimate demand for products or services.

A product development methodology that integrates manufacturing considerations into the design phase to simplify production and assembly processes.

A reference framework for supply chain professionals to develop digital supply networks, enabling the transformation of linear supply chains into dynamic, interconnected systems.

A technology-driven approach that leverages digital tools, data, and advanced analytics to improve efficiency, visibility, and agility across the supply chain.

A virtual model of a real-world process, product, or service used for simulation, testing, and monitoring in a digital environment.

A decentralized data management system where digital records are replicated, shared, and synchronized across multiple locations without a central administrator.

Facilities used for storing inventory and supporting the movement of goods within the supply chain.

A process to determine inventory replenishment needs at warehouses, using material requirements planning (MRP) logic to calculate supply demands through the network.

An expanded form of Distributed Requirements Planning that includes planning for resources like warehouse space, workforce, and transportation within the distribution system.

A supply chain practice where a supplier ships goods directly to the customer or another entity without the purchasing company physically handling the product.

A cross-enterprise system that ensures timely and accurate delivery of goods or services while optimizing logistics through visibility, responsiveness, and collaboration.

The real-time use of point-of-sale and inventory data to inform production and inventory decisions across retail and storage locations.