ICT technologies for enabling software focused supply chains

A software focused product is a product where the hardware component is the commodity element, whereas the software component is the key value-add cum differentiator element of the product. Software focused products have a set of unique characteristics that will in turn, impact its supply chain management. Such supply chains are referred to as software focused supply chains (SFSCs), where software constitutes a significant part of the total value of the product. This paper outlines the characteristics that are unique to software focused products and the impacts they have on the demands of SFSCs. Next, this paper discusses the applicability of relevant ICT technologies, in particular new developments that can enable and meet the demands of SFSCs.