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The Wal-Mart chains of [[supply]] are lengthy and [[fragile]]. The Wal-Mart model is based on a "[[just in time]] delivery" or "JIT" or "Kanban" as the [[Japanese]] inventors called it in the [[1960s]]<ref>The [[Japan]]ese invented the "[[just in time]] delivery" or "JIT" inventory control system called "kanban" in Japanese.</ref>. The JIT inventory control of the [[retail]] and [[food distribution system]] is both [[interdependent]] and [[fragile]].
Wal-Mart is proof that we live in a fragile [[society]]. The kanban or "[[Just In Time]]" [[inventory]] system was developed in [[Japan]] and became popular in [[America]] starting in the 1970s. It is now ubiquitous in nearly every [[industry]]. The concept is simple: Through close coordination with subcontractors and piece part suppliers, a manufacturer can keep its parts inventory small. Kanban is a key element of lean [[manufacturing]]. Manufacturers order batches of parts only as needed, sometimes ordering as frequently as twice a week. Companies now hire Six Sigma consultants and Kaizen gurus, they buy sophisticated [[computer|data-processing]] systems, and they hire extra [[purchase|purchasing]] administrators, and these expenses actually save them [[money]] at the bottom line.
Just In Time inventory systems have several advantages: less [[warehouse]] space, less [[capital]] tied up in parts inventory, and less [[risk]] of parts obsolescence.
