From smoke signals to order delivery

[Randy Littleson]

The North American Indians commonly communicated via smoke signal. Each tribe had their own signaling system and understanding. A signaler started a fire on an elevation typically using damp grass, which would cause a column of smoke to rise. The grass would be taken off as it dried and another bundle would be placed on the fire. Reputedly the location of the smoke along the incline conveyed a meaning. If it came from half way up the hill, this would signify all was well, but from the top of the hill it would signify danger.
Native Americans on a painting by Frederic Remington


In our supply chains today (although we don’t use Smoke) we do use visual signals to identify demand\stock outs, in Lean Manufacturing and Just In Time Inventory Systems these signals have come in many ways; the flashing of a light, the reaching of a mark on a bin, an empty inbox on your desk, and countless other methods. More commonly today thanks to the creation of automated alerts and the world wide web, it is within seconds that a supplier can be notified of a new demand requirement. Not only that but sophisticated systems check stock and availability and also automatically respond with the expected delivery date of a demand request. It’s a far cry to think that manufacturing systems are based on smoke signals but never the less one of the most important things in the supply chain world today is the speed at which these age old visual signals can be sent, addressed and resolved to meet or exceed the one thing we all like to hear …….”Customer Satisfaction.” Keep the home fires burning as the fuel of our fire is still merely a signal. Don’t forget it is not as easy as lighting a fire but the supply chain today needs to be linked with the use of today’s technology and the most important resource our people. Many tools are available which allow quick response to changes but the people are still the key.


Tony Ralph is a Business Consultant for Kinaxis, provider of the on-demand RapidResponse service that empowers multi-enterprise manufacturers with the collaborative and integrated demand-supply planning, monitoring, and response capabilities.