Information technologies for value network integration

Companies have increasingly focused on their own core business and created partnerships with other companies to increase their competitiveness. Linear supply chains of companies create the enterprise networks. The enterprise networks could produce wider product and service entities, and the entire network could be comprehended as a value adding value network for the product or service. VTT Industrial Systems has researched enterprise networks but there is also a need to research supportive applications for business and communications between the applications. The objective of this study is to define which kind of applications are suitable for managing networked enterprises and supply chains, and how application integration can be achieved. Information sharing for the company's use and with the business partners improves the transparency of a dynamic business environment. The objective is to create a hypothetical model for value network integration in practice by combining the research results of this study. The research is focused on electronic contract manufacturing industry but the technologies and models are applicable also to other industries. The supply chain and network management and management tools are studied in the literature survey and by using www-material from the Internet. The supply chain and network management and tools are studied also by interviewing software vendors. Information about supply chain management in practice is studied in a joint project by VTT and the customer company by interviews and discussions with the parties involved. The conclusion of the study is a hypothetical model for value network integration in practice. By use of information technologies, it is possible to improve business and communication between enterprises. From the point of view of the enterprises, it is worthwhile to invest in enterprise networks and to improve the communications between the business partners.