MPC might be dwarfed by other providers, but its components are just as vital. So is a supply chain that can assess the reliability of suppliers.

Supply chain management simply isn't good enough anymore. Today, you must have a combination of strong executive leadership, careful process redesign and demand-driven supply networks.

IBM at one point had 30 supply chains, one for each of its business units, with each considered a necessary cost of doing business. Today the Integrated Supply Chain at IBM is an innovative, strategic business unit that delivers significant cost savings, competitive advantage and enterprise alignment.

The high-tech giant's buy-sell program ensures the best price and highest quality of parts, even though someone else is making the finished goods.