XBRL® For Dummies®

Chapter 7. Feeding the Business Information-Supply Chain

In This Chapter

• Comparing an information-supply chain to a physical-supply chain

• Discovering what an information-supply chain is

• Taking a peek at other information-supply chains

• Creating your own information-supply chain

In this chapter, we take a closer look at the information-supply chain. We begin by contrasting an information-supply chain with a physical-supply chain, which helps you see the fundamental idea of what an information-supply chain is. We then walk you through the steps of creating an information-supply chain. Finally, we show you how creating information-supply chains for yourself eventually could be as easy as writing a blog or setting up a social network.

The Different Types of Supply Chains

You may be familiar with a business-supply chain, which is an interconnected network of businesses that moves products or services from the point of origin to the consumer and all the points in between. The physical-supply chain spans many different organizations that are involved in all aspects, from obtaining and processing the raw materials to distributing the finished goods, perhaps to a store, where they're sold to a consumer. Retail models of supply chains, wholesale models, and many other business-supply chain models exist. These kinds of supply chains and the management processes that make these supply chains operate effectively and efficiently have been around for some time. Each organization and each stakeholder are ...