Demand chain
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
A firm wanting to bring its goods or services to market must undertake a series of activities that may include designing, manufacturing, marketing, sales, delivering and supporting the product (after sales). This comprehensive suite of activities is called the value chain and is split into two halves: demand chain and supply chain.
[edit] Demand chain
The demand chain is concerned with all the activities a firm undertakes to generate the demand for its goods and services, so it includes marketing, sales and service. As the demand chain drives demand, and demand comes from customers, it is customers that must be directly and successfully influenced by demand chain activities.
Managing a demand chain involves managing the relationships between customers and suppliers so that maximum value is created for the customer while the demand chain overall incurs minimal costs.
[edit] Supply chain
In contrast, the supply chain – the other half of the value chain – encompasses those activities (purchasing, manufacturing and distribution undertaken by companies and people) that are needed to transfer products from suppliers to customers. So, turning natural resources, raw materials and components into finished products that are eventually delivered to customers is typical of supply chain activities.
Many activities in the supply chain may be performed by individual companies which, while they form part of the chain of supply have no direct link or even interest in other supply chain firms.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.
Biomass harvested in cycles of less than ten years.
An interview with the new CIAT President
Usman Yaqub BSc (Hons) PCIAT MFPWS.
Cost benefit model report of building safety regime in Wales
Proposed policy option costs for design and construction stage of the new building safety regime in Wales.
Do you receive our free biweekly newsletter?
If not you can sign up to receive it in your mailbox here.