| Introduction | | | | seven categories or to monitor the status of the |
| Anticipatory logistics is the process of predicting | | | | supplies. The same can be said of the business |
| future trends in customer requirements through the | | | | environment. Through tactical internet, the corporate |
| use of information systems, technologies and | | | | world can prepare for any shortages in storage, |
| procedures. It also entails sustaining that need. | | | | distribution, transportation or any of the other seven |
| Anticipatory logistics is applied generally in the US | | | | components. On top of this, anticipatory logistics can |
| Army, however, the concepts are so similar to supply | | | | also assist all the various supply units contact logistical |
| chain management that the former can be applied in | | | | leaders in the supply chain thus equipping them for |
| the corporate world too. | | | | any future challenges. |
| How to merge supply chain management and | | | | Challenges that can arise out of applying anticipatory |
| anticipatory logistics | | | | logistics in the corporate world |
| If the latter concept has worked very well in the | | | | The corporate world uses supply chain management |
| Army, then it can work well in the corporate world | | | | in a broader spectrum than the Army. Consequently, |
| too. This is because the business world is largely | | | | it may be very difficult for the latter to translate this |
| governed by supply chain management. Metz (1988) | | | | application from just one small aspect into the rest of |
| explains that the latter term encompasses the | | | | the business. Supply chain management emanates |
| process of procuring, producing and delivering | | | | from the supply chain which is made up of all the |
| services to consumers. Similarly, the same comparison | | | | stakeholders involved in the production process. |
| can be made in the army. The army also needs to | | | | Consequently, supply chain management ought to |
| deliver logistics to its combat forces. | | | | incorporate all the needs of the suppliers, consumers, |
| There are seven common components between | | | | wholesalers, storage dealers, procurers, other retailers |
| supply chain management and anticipatory logistics. | | | | and end users. On the other hand, the army only |
| This commonality is a basis for merging principles in | | | | applies anticipatory logistics to its mission |
| anticipatory logistics into the corporate world. Both | | | | requirements. |
| the army and the corporate world consider the | | | | There are certain differences in the way the military |
| following; supplies, manufacture, procurement, | | | | and the corporate world handle their supply chains. |
| consumption, warehousing, order management and | | | | Although both groups have seven common |
| transportation. Despite the fact that there may be | | | | components as mentioned above, there is no need |
| some inherent differences between the latter, the | | | | for maintenance in the corporate world. Additionally, |
| overall components cannot be ignored. Consequently, | | | | transportation, distribution and warehousing are only |
| what applies in the army can also apply in business. | | | | applied from the supplier to the consumer. On the |
| Both the army and the business world have to meet | | | | other hand, the military needs to apply these function |
| two diverging needs. Any business would like to | | | | for the consumer to the army and the other way |
| expand its operations while on the other hand meet | | | | around. These disparities could affect the manner of |
| the needs of its clients. These diverging needs require | | | | implementation in both groups. |
| an external principle which is supply chain | | | | Besides this, the corporate world requires six |
| management. Since consumer needs are always | | | | essential success factors in supply chain management. |
| changing by the day, then businesses would be | | | | These factors are totally different from those used |
| better placed to handle future consumer needs of | | | | in the military. Consequently, it is up to the corporate |
| price and availability. Anticipatory logistics are the face | | | | world to figure out a way of satisfying the latter |
| of supply business management's future because | | | | two needs. The six essential components for success |
| they could be the means with which businesses meet | | | | in business include environmental concerns, |
| these needs. Additionally, the army has to meet two | | | | government regulations, competition, globalization, |
| diverging needs; to reduce logistical footprints and | | | | information and communication technology. (Louis et |
| the need to satisfy combat forces. The latter needs | | | | al, 2006) On the other hand, the army requires the |
| are somewhat similar because the military still needs | | | | following for success; mission requirements, |
| to ensure that their combatant forces receive | | | | environmental concerns, rules in the department of |
| supplies on time and also to lower costs. Businesses | | | | defense, whether there can be joint operationability |
| need to do the same for their consumes. These | | | | and information communication technologies. As it can |
| common needs provide a platform for merging | | | | be seen, the corporate will have to identify some of |
| anticipatory logistics used in the military into the | | | | the disparities between the army and itself and look |
| business / corporate world. Since the army uses | | | | for ways of closing the gaps when dealing with |
| transportation, information and communication | | | | anticipatory logistics. This may require a lot of |
| technologies and order management to cope with | | | | creativity. |
| these needs, their technique can also be directed to | | | | Conclusion |
| the corporate world. (Lenzini, 2002) | | | | It is possible to apply anticipatory logistic in the |
| Businesses can apply anticipatory logistics through the | | | | corporate world, however, care must be taken to |
| use of tactical internet. The army uses this to predict | | | | note the differences between the two groups. The |
| the needs of specific combat units and businesses | | | | mot outstanding among these differences is the fact |
| may use this to predict the needs of their clients in | | | | that the military applies anticipatory logistics in a |
| the future. Through the latter method, the army is | | | | section of it operations while the corporate world |
| also empowered to determine future failures in the | | | | applies it in the whole supply chain. |