However, Hitachi's profit decreases if it keeps any inventory. In that sense, the SCM program at its PC division is not yet complete. Toshiba also faces some problems. Toshiba still has a long way to go to optimize the entire system, including making an optimized supply plan at more than one factory and reducing time required for transportation. Among companies listed in the Table, none has yet realized SCM to an ideal level.
More time is needed before effects of the introduction of the system begin to show.
An integrated system for sales, logistics, production and procurement has come on stream in phases since January 1997. Planning data are shared and redundant inputs are prevented from being made. The company has been meeting its delivery schedules 100 percent since 1997. It has already started improving SCM in order to reduce its inventory to zero and shorten its lead time with a plan to introduce SCP software. Toshiba The company's semiconductor division has been improving its system since 1997 to adjust demand-supply better and provide customers with more accurate delivery schedules.