IT for Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management is the handling of the entire production flow of a good or service. The concept applies to all industries in some shape or form, whether you’re in financial services, hospitality, film, broadcasting, or everything beyond and between. Effective management is critical to organizational success, but as you know supply chains have been challenged more than ever during the COVID 19 health crisis. This has pushed the concept to the forefront of economic recovery. Moving forward, every organization needs to revisit their own supply chain and find ways to make it run more efficiently. This begins and ends with IT support.
3 Practical Ways IT Supports Your Organization’s Goal of Better Supply Chain Management
Provides Tools and Infrastructure for Better Logistics
To achieve a highly efficient supply chain you must make the decision to apply modern technology to your warehouses, facilities, and corresponding transportation systems. Knowledge and planning from an expert IT support provider is needed to vet which hardware and software applications will work best for your logistical needs.
Driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the right IoT tools and software applications will optimize the performance of the supply chain activities including (but not exclusive to) the following:
- Distribution networks and routes analysis
- Distribution centers, facilities, and warehouses layout planning
- Inventory management
- Sales and operations planning
- Material and storage handling equipment selection
- Distribution centers, facilities, and warehouses productivity improvement
- Other
You will require assistance with the implementation of infrastructure and equipment along with internal testing protocols that will carry you through to the eventual start-up of your new warehouse management (WHS) and transportation management (TMS) systems. This will mitigate the risk of logistical breakdown and greatly increase the chance of success.
Provides Systems to Better Manage Data Across All Parties
Logistical management may get most of the focus when it comes to supply chains, but data management is the real foundation in 2020 and beyond.
Migrating your entire data management model to the cloud is the key to accessing, working with, and storing data in a secure environment. If there is a breakdown in one link in the chain (i.e. an important vendor) all permitted parties will still be able to access the information they need to perform their respective duties. For example, lets say your shipper’s IT systems are compromised in a cyber attack. Under a traditional supply chain model, when their systems go down, they may lose access to inventory delivery schedules and addresses. They would then have to wait to get this information from you, which could be problematic during “off hours”. But under a cloud based data management system they can retrieve this information in real time without delay. This is just one very basis example, but no less telling about how having data backed-up to the cloud will ensure that all parties in your supply chain can access the data they need despite what disaster may occur.
Improves Communication Processes Between Partners and Vendors
Logistics and data management can only serve to complete the picture on a more effective supply chain when communication management also receives a boost from expert IT support.
An IT support provider will come in to audit your current communication systems and upgrade them via the integration of advanced team collaboration tools. For instance, if you leverage the productivity solutions of MS Office 365 A1 suite licensing (via SAV Technology) you gain access to Microsoft Teams – an ultimate team collaboration tool. When integrated across other partners in your supply chain you will enjoy one of the most cohesive communication processes on the market. For greater effectiveness adoption of a more robust cloud-based communications tool will require buy-in from all key partners in your supply chain, so it’s a good idea to get the conversation started with them right away. We’re always here to help with that discussion!
Contact SAV Technology today to discuss how we will work with you, your partners, and vendors to create an unstoppable supply chain.