The supply chain incorporates all the physical and IT flows needed to manufacture a product, as well as the interfaces between the various parties involved in projects (customers and suppliers). These flows can be sorted into three types.

Firstly, upstream flows, incorporating all the supply stages for the necessary components.
This involves the validation of technical requirements originating from activities, monitoring suppliers to guarantee adequate supplies, as well coordinating lead times and delivery points.

Secondly, internal flows, which govern the manufacturing rules for a product, in a factory or a workshop. These flows begin on receipt of components in a warehouse (inventory management) and extend as far as validation of the quality of the manufactured product. It is also necessary to define the specific flows enabling production to be optimised in terms of Quality-Cost-Delivery (simulation of flows, layout of production areas, workstation ergonomics, just-in-time delivery, management of packaging, production scheduling, etc.).

Lastly, downstream flows structure the distribution of the finished product. These flows cover all the stages needed to deliver to the end customer (transport, managing customs restrictions, quality audit, project scheduling, coordinating lead times).