The global supply chain is continually growing and changing, and advances in technology are helping to streamline operations in the long run. When it comes to logistics management – making sure items are stored, transported and delivered properly and efficiently – technological solutions are even more important.
Automating logistics management processes can help make organizations more efficient and can have a significant impact on bottom lines as a result. In order to achieve these better profit margins, there are a few other important benefits of bringing automation into the warehouse and distribution channels.
Integrate logistics systems effectively
More and more businesses are taking advantage of something called "process automation," which helps organizations integrate the processes and systems required to make order-taking and fulfillment more efficient, according to SupplyChainBrain contributor Robert J. Bowman.
"The distribution center is especially ripe territory for use of RPA," Bowman wrote. "The 'lights-out' warehouse, where virtually every task is automated, has long been an option wherever labor costs are high, and speed of fulfillment is a priority. The latest technology ensures that those tasks are tightly coordinated, so as to create a smooth transition from placement of the original order to fulfillment and delivery to the customer."
By automating the entire supply chain from end to end – not just individual tasks within it – logistics managers can focus less on everyday processes and more on making sure their supply chains are bringing in the best value at any given moment. In other words, it helps to invest in tools like warehouse management systems and robotics in order to improve productivity throughout the entire supply chain and create a better bottom line in the long term.
Meet distribution goals
With the help of cloud-based tools from trusted companies like Oracle, organizations can automate their logistics processes and really be all-in when it comes to the digital supply chain. The experts at Inspirage can help with the implementation of these tools.
Technologies like the Internet of Things and the cloud are essential now to the global supply chain. According to Logistics Management executive editor Patrick Burnson, in fact, Oracle is expanding its cloud portfolio with new IoT solutions aimed at helping logistics managers fully take advantage of the digital supply chain.
"The world is becoming ever-more digital and IoT is the next step on that journey – delivering better customer experiences and helping organizations achieve a competitive advantage," Bhagat Nainani, group vice president of IoT applications development at Oracle, told Burnson. "Oracle IoT Applications enable businesses to leverage connected devices and equipment to modernize the digital supply chain."
Get in touch with the experts at Inspirage today for more information about how automating your logistics processes can improve the efficiency and transparency of your supply chain and help you meet your distribution goals in 2017.
