So you’re looking at a .pdf:
Using the Model of a Supply Chain to
Understand Electronic Resources
Juleah Swanson
Electronic Resources & Access Librarian
Mary P Key Diversity Resident
The Ohio State University
Swanson.234@osu.edu
Ohio Valley Group of Technical
Services Librarians
2012 Conference
Evansville, IN
3 May 2012

Objectives
• Develop a foundational understanding of a supply chain and the players/entities involved.
• Address the role the internet has played in reshaping supply chains.
• To demystify the “magic” of how electronic resources get from author to user.
This presentation itself is intended to be an instruction tool for librarians, staff and those new to electronic resources.

OUTLINE
What is a supply chain?
Who are the players?
Traditional model
E-commerce model
How does this translate to e-resources in
Libraries?

What is a supply chain?
Definitions:
1. Processes from the initial raw materials to the ultimate consumption of the finished product linking across supplier-user companies.
2. The functions within and outside a company that enable the value chain to make products and provide services to the customer
(APICS Dictionary, 8 th Edition 1995)
A distributed network of entities interacting to deliver products or services to the end customer, linking flows from raw materials supplier to final delivery. (Ellram, 1991; Lee &
Ng 1997)

Generic Supply Chain
Raw Material Manufacturer Distributor Retail Customer

Example – Apparel Supply Chain
Cotton
Weave Dye/Finish
Retail
Distributor
Apparel

Who are the players: Raw material
Raw Material: Purchased items or extracted materials that are converted via the manufacturing process into component and/or products

Who are the players: Manufacturer
Manufacturer: a producer or fabricator of something.

Who are the players: Distributor
Distributor: A business that does not manufacture its own products but purchases and resells these products.

Who are the players: Retail
Retail: The action or business of selling goods in relatively small quantities for use or consumption rather than for resale.

Retail spaces:
Markets & Malls

Retail spaces:
Grocery Stores & Big Box stores

Who are the players: Customers
Customer: One who acquires ownership by long use or possession

Aligning supply chain examples
Generic supply chain
Raw Material Manufacturer Distributor Retail Customer
Ore Mine
Example of the supply chain for a car part
Smelting
&
Manufacturing
Parts
Distributor
Auto Store Customer
Author
Example of the supply chain for a print journal
Publisher Agent Library Patron

Ideas, manuscript, information, research
Answers
Yes!
.pdf
Publisher

What happens when you add the internet?

eCommerce
The use of electronic networks to facilitate commercial transaction.
What does this mean to the supply chain?
• Replacement of the physical
• Consolidation and/or invisibility of the players

Influence of eCommerce
Raw Material Manufacturer Distributor Retail Customer

Raw
Material/
Authors
Evolution of @ Amazon
Distributor & Retail
Publishers

Evolution of bookselling @ Amazon
Raw
Material/
Author
Publishing
Self
Publishing
Manufactures devices
Distributor
Virtual Retail space

What does this mean to electronic resources in libraries?

Raw
Material
Manufacturer
Distributor Retail Customer

How can this model be applied?
Troubleshooting
Raw Material Manufacturer Distributor Retail Customer

Questions, Comments, Ideas?
Juleah Swanson
Swanson.234@osu.edu