---
title: Supply Chain Model
description: Learn the basics of supply chain model that is the three entities and four flows.
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---

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01 July 2020 Wednesday

## Supply Chain Model

By [Venkadesh Narayanan](https://blog.fhyzics.net/iiscm/author/venkadesh-narayanan)

 In: [Supply Chain](https://blog.fhyzics.net/iiscm/tag/supply-chain)

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A basic supply chain model consists of three entities and four flows. The three entities are the physical supply system, manufacturing network, and physical distribution system. The four flows are product flow, cash flow, reverse product flow, and information flow.

 

The physical supply system brings materials and components to the manufacturing facility. The manufacturing network is a web of manufacturing companies that transforms the material into desired finished goods. Finally, the physical distribution system takes these finished goods through warehousing facilities, distribution centres and retails stores to the customers.

> If product flow is the activity of the supply chain, then the cash flow is the objective of the supply chain.

The product flow happens from the upstream to the downstream that is from the supply side to the demand side. Product flow is the mission of the supply chain. The cash flow is opposite to that of the product flow, which is the reward for performing the supply chain activities.

The reverse product flow is for return, repair, refurbishing, warranty, reuse, recycle, recovery and responsible disposal of waste products. The information flow is bidirectional. It flows in both the directions. That is from downstream to upstream and vice versa. In fact, information or time kick starts the other three flows.

This is an excerpt from the sessions of Certified Inventory Optimization Professional (CIOP) of Integrated Institute of Supply Chain Management (IISCM). CIOP is based on Inventory Management Body of Knowledge (IMBoK v2.0).

*Keywords: Inventory Management, Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Design, Supply Chain Training, Supply Chain Certification, Inventory Management Certification, Procurement, Warehousing, Supply Chain Jobs, Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain Strategy, Introduction to Supply Chain, Warehousing Certification, Supply Chain Planning, Certified Production and Inventory Management, CPIM, Certified Supply Chain Professional, CSCP, Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution, CLTD, APICS, ASCM, Forecasting.*

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### Written by [Venkadesh Narayanan](https://blog.fhyzics.net/iiscm/author/venkadesh-narayanan)

Venkadesh is a Mechanical Engineer and an MBA with 30 years of experience in the domains of supply chain management, business analysis, new product development, business plan and standard operating procedures. He is currently working as Principal Consultant at Fhyzics Business Consultants. He is also serving as President, PDMA-India (an Indian affiliate of PDMA, USA) and Recognised Instructor of APICS, USA and CIPS, UK. He is a former member of Indian Civil Services (IRAS). Fhyzics offers consulting, certification, and executive development programs in the domains of supply chain management, business analysis and new product development.

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