
386 Principles of Supply Chain Management
Steps in the Integration Process
This section will be an overview of the integration process, to be covered in more detail
in Chapter 13. The general approach is to establish a tentative relationship and then to
expand and solidify that relationship as events and results dictate.
Build Interfaces with Customers and Suppliers
An interface is a beginning point of contact. It may begin with an individual relationship
between a buyer at the customer’s location and a customer service person at the supplier’s
location. If this works, it can extend to other individual relationships. An interface can also
be established ...