IBM opens supply chain centre in Beijing

IBM has launched a supply chain innovation centre in Beijing, aimed at growing supply chain capabilities in a country gaining importance as a key link in a global supply chain.

IBM said it will leverage on its own expertise in supply chain research, business consulting services, software capabilities and Integrated Supply Chain experience to create new solutions for companies around the world.

The Beijing Supply Chain Innovation Centre will be staffed with dedicated supply chain researchers who will collaborate with companies to develop new solutions. In addition, the centre will showcase and leverage existing industry solutions to help companies expand and grow their integrated supply chain capabilities.

"Helping companies transform and extend their supply chains in a globally integrated economy requires new thinking, new methods and new tools," said Sanjeev Nagrath, global lead of supply chain management at IBM Global Business Services.

"China, which is one of the fastest growing economies and a key link in global supply chains is an ideal place to locate our new innovation centre to create solutions for companies in not only emerging markets, but anywhere in the world."

The new innovation centre showcase several solutions including the Virtual Command Centre, a service oriented architecture (SOA)- based supply chain visibility solution; Supply Chain Optimisation tools and modelers, which enable companies to design and operate agile and adaptable supply chain processes and networks; and the Carbon Tradeoff Modeler, which will help companies calculate their carbon footprint in their supply chain.