SCM is born and it is developed like logical evolution of the management of the logistics, that is like management of the process of physical distribution of the products and the relations between warehouse and functions of transfer of the products.
In according to moment, to the management of the logistics other functions join and integrate which the management of the production, supplyings, the orders: the widening of the functionalities is rendered possible and is favorite from the development and the spread of the EDI (Electronic Given Interchange), of the nets of telecommunication, beyond that from the crescent availability of supports and dispositi you for the collection and the analysis of the data and the performances.
Currently the SCM integral a still greater number of functions, going to cover the entire chain of activity and relations that tie the company to its suppliers (until the subfornitori) and final customers: such widening works is rendered them from the availability of instruments which EDI possible, DSS (Decision Support System), etc
In perspective which will be integrated functions the development of products, the marketing, the service to the customer, always in the optical to optimize with of activity and flows of production and exchange assign to you to satisfy the specific question of the final customer.
The progressive evolution of the SCM and the tendency to the widening of the supported functionalities are guided from one series of synthetically riconducibili factors to following:

• one increasing and more and more pervasiva focalization on the customer: in every phase/moment of the Supply Chain, the needs of the final customer come comprised and become factors guide in the decisional process; given to the increasing importance and the role of centralità attributed to the customer, it is necessary that the company is in a position to assuring an adequate service based on the quality, the personalizzazione of the product and the speed of delivery, also considering that the expectations of the customer in terms of amplitude of choice, level of service, speed of delivery and cost are progressively increasing;
• I use more advanced of the technology: data traffics and information interest all make of the Supply Chain: systems DSS use this complex of information in order to improve and to velocizzare the decisional processes that impattano on the entire chain; moreover, the progressive development of Internet makes yes that it makes of sale more are directed and that to the customer a better service is distributed; the development of Internet has open sure new possibility of business and has contributed to optimize and to render the flows informed to you more efficient along the supply chain, production and commercialization of the products;
• Measurement of the performances: in every moment in the Supply Chain they come monitorati times and costs, beyond to other parameters, and estimated regarding object to you final in the optical of a progressive improvement of the performances;
• The globalization: possibilities of purchase of raw materials to low costs from the emergent economies are created for the company new and at the same time new are created sale possibility: that determines a geographic movement of traditional localization of business and the Supply the Chain (from the supply to the production to the delivery to the customer), and renders necessary, for a company, to serve total markets and independently to assure a level of homogenous service from the destination market; it is considered moreover that the globalization has generated a total increase of the level of the competition, than in its turn imposes to the companies to operate with greater efficiency and searching and defending competitive advantages you of differentiation regarding the competitors. The area of the services to the customer and the delivery represents, today, one of the main areas of the competitive advantage.