Dell distribution and supply chain innovation

Please type the paper in 10 font Arial. Please be as detailed as possible, and include and introduction, body and conclusion. Please include at least 2 creditable references and please list in APA format free of errors and extra word fillers. Please include page numbers at the bottoms of each page.

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The assessment instructions is a guide for the paper and please answer each bullet in the paper from the assessment portion of the instructions.

Overview
In 600–800 words, respond to a series of questions about the past success and current challenges of Dell's supply chain, and offer your thoughts regarding Dell's distribution strategy, based on assigned library articles.

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

Competency 1: Design a supply chain to support an organizational strategy.
Explain why a company's supply chain strategy is successful.
Competency 2: Improve efficiency in the supply chain.
Describe the main challenges facing a company.
Competency 3: Manage a supply chain in order to satisfy customers.
Describe how a company has changed its supply chain to satisfy its customers.
Competency 4: Communicate in a professional manner that is consistent with expectations for supply chain managers and participants.
Exhibit proficiency in writing, critical thinking, and research; adhere to APA style and formatting.
Context
SUPPLY CHAIN BASIC FUNCTIONS
The functions basic to all supply chains are:
Planning.
Sourcing.
Making.
Delivering.
Fundamental decisions are required from supply chain managers to define strategy in developing a supply chain that will effectively meet these four requirements.
SUPPLY CHAIN PLANNING
Planning or forecasting includes decisions needed to define operations of the other four supply chain functions. Three approaches to supply chain planning are:
Demand forecasting.
Product pricing.
Inventory management.
Sourcing or procurement involves decisions that determine the source of the resources that a firm requires for operations. This function traditionally included activities such as purchasing, consumption management, vendor selection, contract negotiation, and contract management. Recent global developments and trends in outsourcing have made this a dynamic changing role for supply chain managers.Making or producing is the economic process of converting resources into goods and services. Typical activities in this function include product development and design, operations facility management, and production scheduling