Read the statement below and answer the questions that follow. Supply chain integration is the process of incorporating all parties involved in a product's fulfilment into a singular system. This calls for a lot of planning and alignment to make sure that everyone is constantly working toward the same objective.

You managing the supply chain at Edgars in South Africa. You are requested to discuss the following questions and explain how your position would help the retail store to reduce costs and become competitive in the market.

QUESTION 1 (20 Marks) Critically analyse the FOUR (4) supply chain flows process (refer to the below diagram) across Edgars (South Africa) supply chain. Use relevant examples to support your answer.

QUESTION 2 (20 Marks) Excessive inventory investment, poor customer service, lost revenues, misguided capacity plans, ineffective transportation, and missed production schedules can all result from inaccurate information from one end of a supply chain to the other. Critically explain the concept of organizational silos and why they make efficient supply chain management a challenge at Edgars. Make use of examples to support your answer.

QUESTION 3 (20 Marks) Customer service provides a major competitive advantage by ensuring customer loyalty, differentiating products, lowering marketing expenses, and increasing corporate profit. Examine a few models that Edgars could apply to better serve its clients in a critical manner

QUESTION 4 (20 Marks) ERP systems are designed to integrate data and operations across an organization. Use your own examples to discuss the value of information at Edgars and critically explain how Edgarss key business processes are linked via ERP systems.

QUESTION 5 (20 Marks) Discuss the first FOUR (4) essential steps that should be followed by Edgars for a complete supply chain network design process. Use relevant examples to support your answer.

Information flow a Invoices Q Sales Literature - Specifications Receipts a Orders a Rules and Regulations Primary cash flow - Payments of Products (I) Supplies Primary product flow 8 Materials (1) Components - Supplies - Services E Finished Products Reverse product flow a Returns for Repair : Replacements 8. Recycling ii Disposals Producer Customer primary product fiow Primany cash flow Reverse product now