Global supply chain system to change world at SKF

£4.5bn cross-industry bearings, seals, linear motion, condition monitoring and engineering services giant SKF is investing in a substantial integration project to optimise its global supply chain, by connecting systems and streamlining and automating processes. The firm is looking in particular for end-to-end real-time inventory visibility and improved order processing, and is using integration specialist Seebeyond’s ICAN 5 suite (integrated composite application network) as the common platform. Like most multi-nationals, to date, SKF has required significant human involvement to exchange data and keep online ordering systems connected. It believes that implementing an integrated platform will reduce the cost of processing orders and enable suppliers and customers to link to its systems without the current level of investment. Also, streamlining the supply chain and automating business processes will drive efficiencies, with lower processing cost per transaction and per customer. “We believe this investment will lead to a significant reduction in maintenance costs, improve the ease and flexibility of supplier communication and help enhance our performance and customer satisfaction levels,” says Gunilla Ramborgh, project manger for SKF.