With this component you can create and maintain supply chain network models. The network model represents a specific supply chain and consists of individual nodes and links. A model can have different planning versions. You also have the option of creating several models, each with different versions for simulation purposes.

The Supply Chain Engineer is a fully integrated component of APO used for creating models. The model is the basis for all APO planning functions. It covers all areas of the network chain from supplier's supplier to customer's customer, and is determined by importing the relevant data objects from source systems into APO.

Nodes and links are used to construct a supply chain model. A node represents a location, or business entity, in the APO, and links between locations are called transportation lanes. Locations include production plant, distribution center, customer, and supplier.

Besides locations and lanes, the model also allows you to keep track of other supply chain elements including products, PPMs (production process models) and the following resources:

• handling
• production
• storage
• transportation

The SCE enables you to view data pertaining to the different elements in your chain. You can submit queries for information on individual or combined elements in the chain. For example, you can query for a list of all products assigned to a specific location in your model. You can also perform mass maintenance of product attributes

You can display your supply chain model either in a geographical view on the map or as a logical view.