Supply chain software: which ones to use? 

The development of the digital age has brought about a number of changes in business activities, and the supply chain is no exception. Ever more precise and faster, new new technologies an essential resource for making your business a success.

However, given the rapid evolution of these tools, it can be difficult to find your way around. In this article, we offer you an overview of all the software available to optimize your supply chain, as well as a detailed review of one of the most effective supply chain software packages: the Transport Management System (TMS).

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Software solutions to improve your supply chain

Although 99% of companies still work mainly in Excel, more and more are adopting software for more specific tasks. 

A growing number of tools are available to help you : 

• Better visualize your data(such as PowerBI, Google Data Studio, QlikView, Business Object, Anaplan, etc.): directly connected to your databases, these programs can automatically generate clear tables. 
• Better manage your transport(TMS such as Oracle, SAP, Manhattan Associates, Blue Yonder, Descartes, BluJay, Omnitracs, ORTEC, TMW Systems, HighJump or MercuryGate): these software packages integrate research and operational optimization to help you optimize your in-store deliveries to multiple destinations. We'll come back to this point in detail later in the article. 
• Better manage the whole process inside the warehouse(WMS such as Manhattan Associates, Blue Yonder, Reflex, SAP, Epicor Software, IFOR, PSI, PTC, etc.): these software solutions help companies to better manage and control daily warehouse operations, from the arrival of goods and materials at a distribution or processing center, right through to their departure. 
• Improved inventory and production management(MRP software from SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, Netsuite, Blue Yonder, IBM AS/400, Sage, Epicor Software, Infor, Odoo): this software enables you to better manage inventory distribution and production. 
• Better management of all company processes (ERP, such as SAP, Oracle, ERP Cloud, Netsuite, Microsoft, Sage, Workday, Infor, Epicor, etc.): these software packages can be used to better generate MRP (manufacturing resource planning) modules, as well as finance, purchasing and sales modules to improve forecasting. 
• Better manage your customer relationships (CRMs such as Salesforce, SAP, Oracle, Adobe, Microsoft, etc.): these software programs, indispensable in all sectors, enable you to better track your customers and their purchasing behavior. 

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Focus on TMS, the ideal assistant for planning transport operations

Global flow modeling software to guide decision-making

The exponential number of goods movements around the world today makes it essential to use software that centralizes all operations. By processing movement data, the TMS enables you to quickly visualize your transport flows.

In fact, indicators are already calculated and can be accessed quickly to carry out relevant analyses according to your needs. TMS systems offer real-time flow monitoring and centralize all travel-related information.

With this tool, you'll be able to make better decisions andoptimize your transport operations, particularly with the help of the "loaders" present in the TMS. This data visualization functionality is designed to facilitate planning.  

Software to simplify your freight movements

Data concerning transport logistics, such as deliveries, is essential to enable you to adapt your supply chain. The TMS enables you to track orders and goods movements via a dedicated transport interface.

Milestones provide precise geographical location information, enabling you to adjust your planning to take account of any deviations from initial forecasts.

Fleet geolocation is also a TMS feature, and a valuable aid for you and your carriers.

TMS as an extension of your control over transport flows

Without the possibility of being physically present to manage the movement of goods, transport logistics represent a challenge that the TMS can help you meet.

The software gives you greater control over movements, with regularly updated information. The TMS enables you to monitor your operations in real time. You'll also be able to obtain data from your service providers, enabling you to track the various flows of your merchandise.

Your ally in the fight against administrative phobia

The administrative burden can considerably slow down your transport activities, especially when your business is international. By automatically creating the necessary documents, TMS software simplifies your procedures and ensures compliance with the various international standards.

What's more, all your documents will be stored in the same place, so they can be easily accessed whenever you need them. You'll save precious time!

The TMS also facilitates relations with your service providers, especially when they use the tool themselves. The software checks the information provided by your partners, calculates cost forecasts and updates invoicing documents on a daily basis. As a result, your finances are automatically monitored, and the data analyzed is reliable and rapidly accessible.

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The benefits of TMS, essential software for your supply chain

Simplified reporting

Reporting missions involve carrying out a study of a company's activities and producing a report on its performance. In the transport sector, these concrete data can be difficult to obtain.

The data centralization offered by the TMS will give you easy access to auditors' requests. In fact, the software gathers all the data concerning your transport operations and enables you to extract the indicators you need for reporting purposes. This considerably simplifies audit management!

The software also includes an interface for creating a dashboard that will give you access to the KPI - key performance indicator - data of your choice. 

Time-saving

Meeting customer deadlines is one of the challenges facing the supply chain. Good organization is essential. The TMS offers the possibility of tracking orders, geolocating them and thus anticipating and reducing delivery delays.

Thanks to this information, you'll be able to optimize routes and meet deadlines, or even shorten them! By being immediately informed of incidents via the TMS, your reaction time will be considerably reduced, and you'll be able to quickly implement the necessary actions to get business moving again.

The promise of savings

The efficiency you gain with TMS - by optimizing just-in-time operations and reducing the number of errors - has an impact on your invoices, and can lead to savings of up to 30% in the transport sector. 

Thanks to TMS :

• the route is always optimized, which reduces fuel costs;
• you need fewer staff, which is a good thing in view of the staff shortage in the transport sector;
• future costs are anticipated ;
• improved fill rates and reduced inventories;
• there has been a considerable reduction in the number of errors and delays.

These advantages will quickly make you forget the price of the software, and the investment will quickly pay for itself. 

Quality services 

Being able to meet delivery deadlines is one of the keys to customer loyalty.

The TMS gives you peace of mind by enabling information to circulate rapidly throughout the supply chain. For example, a mobile application enables you to keep in touch with your drivers. 

The TMS also enables partners to evaluate your performance and customer satisfaction.

These features enable you to reduce delivery times by offering a safer, less expensive service, which is sure to appeal to many customers!

A tool for reducing carbon footprint

Against a backdrop of climate tensions, reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) has become a priority. The transport sector, particularly via international trade, is today the most polluting activity. In France, transport accounts for around 30% of emissions !

When it comes to decarbonizing your business, TMSs are certainly your allies. Many include the calculation of GHG emissions from your transport operations, enabling you to visualize the environmental cost of your activities.

Here too, TMS can help you optimize routes, so that goods travel as few kilometers as possible, and thus emit less CO2.

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Conclusion  

Despite the fact that more than half of all French companies now use a TMSsome companies are still hesitant to invest in this software.

The specific objectives of each company must be taken into consideration when the choice of TMSin order to acquire the software best suited to the particularities of your supply chain.

Faced with wide range of optionsit can be difficult to find your way around. The first step is to carry out an in-depth analysis of your company's needs, and then identify the functionalities required by the right TMS to meet your expectations.

In your search for the right TMS, a professional will be invaluable. He or she will be able to guide you and use his or her skills to install the right supply chain software software of your choice. To find out how we can help you, take a look at our our solutions !