Supply chain is about synchronising a network of numerous unified businesses that work together in the method of supplying the product to the end consumer. Throughout this course, flow of data from one phase to another plays a critical role as it ensures effective decision-making at the planning and implementation stages. With respect to the flow of data, no other means or resource can do it as rapidly and precisely as technology. This holds true when it comes to supply chain as well. Today, technology in supply chain is much more than just computers, high speed processors or any other hardware. It contains various features, right from workshop automation, superior communication devices, data recognition equipment to further types of automated hardware and services.
Mobility improves efficiency
The awareness of enterprise mobility has brought a paradigm shift in operating of the supply chain industry. Mobility allows the supply chain experts to access critical data and information at any instant of time and at any place, helping forecasting of goods, warehouse management, etc. This also improves employee efficiency by making an employee effective round the clock regardless of his location. These advantages are just a subset of the enormous potential that enterprise mobility offers to the supply chain industry. Experts are envisaging that this developing technology would be able to essentially transform organizations, supply chains, and markets when its full potential is realized.
Mobility supports distribution process
Skyrocketing expenditures, unstable fuel prices, growing competition, and the need for innovation are some of the important aspects driving logistics and supply chains enterprises to organize their processes in order to stay competitive in today’s economy. Mobile-enablement augments services, streamlines operations and cuts expenditures from workshop to doorstep. But while a variety of devices, all running on different operating systems, are necessary to simplify the distribution process, they are difficult to control and secure. In an industry where rapid and economical transportation of goods is the only important standard for success, mobility supports exactly that and more. Mobile devices and applications have become an essential part of the supply chain, logistics, and transportation professionals in their attempt to stay connected and manage their supply chain from anyplace.
The advanced devices and applications even enable asset and consignment tracking, execution of trades, and partnership with third-party providers. With the onset of mobility, logistics and supply chains have become dependent on the intelligence and information that mobile devices offer. This device, application, and user information helps logistics and supply chain managers make decisions quicker – thus saving time and money. For example, device location tracker can enhance route design and keep fuel consumption costs to the lowest..
Mobile-enablement has had a positive influence on logistics and supply chains, allowing businesses the ability to deliver quickly, more professionally, and continue to be competitive. Essentially, mobility management signifies the missing link for a cohesive supply chain. Logistics and supply chains cannot overlook the advantages that mobility brings. Many logistics and supply chain IT experts report that mobility is transforming into the mainstay of IT infrastructure for their industry. And while the complications of managing the mobile empowered business may seem intimidating, enterprise mobility management offers the key to connecting the operational efficiencies and differentiation to thrust mobile-enabled organizations into the digital era. From remote helpdesk tools, organisation unification for all endpoints and application integration, to location-aware policies and alerts, data loss prevention and recovering lost or stolen devices - enterprise mobility management is IT’s guide and private dashboard through its mobile business transformation.
Mobile supply chain strategy
In the business partner ecosystem of the supply chain industry it is highly unlikely for an organization to regulate their mobile device and platform. Realizing flexibility in terms of using mobile devices and platforms is one of the major challenges of implementing a successful mobile supply chain strategy. Developing a mobile supply chain platform built on the business and employee requirements and which is open and interoperable with a wide range of client devices and application systems should be the key objective of an organization. A cost-effective, device-agnostic, application friendly platform is what every organization mostly needs.
It can be concluded that by developing a flexible and easy to integrate platform built on open standards, for mobilizing the supply chain, a business can surely enhance customer service, decrease order cycle time, and improve growth rate in terms of sales and revenue.
Girish Dhanakshirur, STSM/Master Inventor, IBM Mobile Platform
