Vision 2000: A Program for Continuous Improvement

Systems Management Institute · Jan 29, 1994

Direct Store Delivery (DSD) is gaining wide acceptance in the grocery industry. Automatic Invoice Reconciliation (AIR) and Vendor Managed Replenishment (VMR) are frequently included as subsystems of DSD and force vendors to become "DSD ready" by redesigning their core business systems. AIR is implemented as a "paperless billing" application while VMR is an implementation of Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory control and management. Furthermore, as discussed below, a wide range of technologies, processes, and approaches must be implemented as an architecture to make DSD successful.

This trend towards the migration to DSD has relevance to the operations of Specialty Brands because core customers critical to the success of Specialty Brands are currently in the process of moving toward this important and powerful technology. These innovative business approaches represent a shift in core business requirements that influence the design of the business systems of Specialty Brands. Moreover, this shift transforms MIS into a strategic department by raising the importance of Information Technology.