ExecutiveChronicles | The Five Roles of Technology in Supply Chain Management | The pandemic disrupted supply chains around the world. Many factories were closed, and goods were stuck in transit. It caused shortages of many products, and prices skyrocketed. It’s one of the main reasons why the inflation rate in the United States has reached an all-time high of 9%.
But there’s a silver lining to all of this. Technology can help better manage supply chains and avoid future disruptions. Here are five ways technology can help:
Planning and Forecasting
In Southeast Asian countries like Singapore, ports are filled with multiple containers waiting to be unloaded.
This container pileup is a result of the pandemic. Before the pandemic, most of these containers would have been unloaded and sent to their respective destinations by now. But because of the pandemic, many factories are still closed, and goods are stuck in transit. It has led to a shortage of many products, and prices have skyrocketed.
But technology can help us avoid these disruptions in the future. For example, using data analytics, logistic companies can better predict consumer demand and plan their production accordingly. This will help us avoid over-producing or under-producing goods, which can lead to disruptions in the supply chain.
The best part is that they can do it all in one gadget. An industrial Android tablet has the necessary apps to do all these tasks. It can forecast all sorts of futures for your company while also planning to alleviate future pileups. It’s a great way to prepare and predict any goods that might come into your company.
Warehousing and Distribution
Technology can also help manage warehouses and distribution networks better. For example, companies can use warehouse management systems (WMS) to track inventory levels and movements in real-time. This way, they can avoid stockouts and ensure that goods are always available when needed.
WMS can also help optimize warehouse space. By tracking inventory levels, businesses can know which products sell faster and adjust their stockings accordingly. This will help us save on storage costs and better use our warehouse space.
Lastly, WMS can also help us automate picking and packing processes. This way, companies can fulfill orders faster and avoid errors.
Inventory Management
Technology can also help us better manage inventory levels. In the past, many companies have relied on manual methods to track their inventory. However, it’s no longer feasible in today’s fast-paced world. With the help of technology, people can track their inventory in real-time and adjust accordingly. For example, companies can use real-time radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags to track inventory levels. This way, they can avoid stockouts and ensure that goods are always.
Transportation Management
Technology can also help better manage transportation. In the past, most transportation was managed manually. This led to many delays and disruptions. But with the help of technology, companies can now track and manage transportation in real-time. This way, they can avoid delays and disruptions in the supply chain.
Technology can also help better plan transportation routes. For example, businesses can find the most efficient routes for their goods by using data analytics. This way, they can save time and money while ensuring that our goods reach their destinations on time.
Additionally, technology can also help businesses track their vehicles. This way, they can ensure that their cars are always on the right track and avoid delays.
Last Leg Delivery
Lastly, technology can also help with the last leg delivery. In the past, most deliveries were made using paper-based methods. This led to many delays and disruptions. But with the help of technology, businesses can now track and manage their deliveries in real-time. This way, they can ensure that our goods are always delivered on time.
Technology can also help us better plan our delivery routes. For example, businesses can find the most efficient routes for their goods by using data analytics. This way, they can save time and money while ensuring that our goods reach their destinations on time.
Technology such as robots can also deliver all sorts of products. Drones and other autonomous vehicles are also being used to make last-mile deliveries. This way, businesses can ensure that our goods are always delivered on time.
Technology plays a vital role in supply chain management. Through the use of these technologies, businesses can avoid disruptions in the supply chain. This is especially important during a pandemic when factories are closed, and goods are stuck in transit. With the help of technology, companies can ensure that our goods always arrive on time.
ExecutiveChronicles | The Five Roles of Technology in Supply Chain Management
