10 steps to digitalize your supply chain

At a time of digitalization of sales operationsthe supply chain is at the heart of transformations impacting companies' business models.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big data, Automation and other recent technological developments are having a lasting impact on the supply chain. As a company director, you need to surround yourself with the best players to begin a transformation process that is aware of tomorrow's technological developments.

To achieve this, it may be worthwhile to enlist the help of a consulting firm specialized in supply chain to guide you through the implementation of these new technologies.

To help you, Procemo offers its advice on the 10 key steps to take to digitalize your supply chain.

1. Develop logistics software tailored to your service offering 

Supply chain management is being reinvented in line with current technological innovations. As a result, new supply chain needs are emerging. 

For example, surrounding yourself with a developer of logistics software is a necessity for a growing number of companies wishing to digitalize their supply chain. Indeed, new technological solutions are making it possible to automate supply chain management. Opting for a logistics software developer consultant enables you to outsource the following activities: 

• tailor supply chain management software to your company's specific needs; 
• maintain and service the software; 
• manage the automation of supply chain processes ; 
• interpret and analyze the data extracted from the software. 

Using logistics management software tailored to your company's needs is essential, as Global Trade reminds us. 

2. Recruit experts in the logistics professions of tomorrow 

In a sector that is constantly evolving due to the advent of digital technology, it's important tobe aware of developments in the supply chain sector. In particular, it can be interesting to surround yourself with the expertise of the following new professions: 

• Data scientist. A data scientist is responsible for collecting, processing, cleaning, organizing and analyzing data related to supply chain management. Statistical analysis and modeling are of particular interest in arriving at conclusions favorable to your business model. 
• Algorithm developer. Algorithm developer and data scientist can sometimes be the same person. Machine learning algorithms are just as interesting for predicting future supply chain trends. Algorithm developers can also help improve the quality of services and operations. 
• Augmented reality expert. Augmented reality is a new digital tool for adding fictional elements to real-life images. This can be particularly useful for implementing new inventory management solutions, for example. It can also be used to create employee training tools. 
• Head of robotization. Robotization is becoming a crucial component of companies' business models, against a backdrop of increasing use of new digital tools. In particular, the Internet of Things (IoT) and AI are useful applications of robotization to automate your supply chain processes. 

3. Automate your logistics engineering structure  

A supply chain consultant can be indispensable for implementing complex supply chain automation processes. A logistics automation engineer develops RPA systems in order to : 

• design a logistics architecture calibrated for the people who use it; 
• ensure optimization and technological monitoring of the automated structure; 
• monitor performance and any technical faults. 

4. Secure your cybersecurity logistics environment  

Implementing an intelligent supply chain management architecture is not without risk! Arming oneself with technological tools requires exporting large quantities of data to internal or external servers, which are sometimes subject to risk. So, while these new digital tools demand a great deal of organization, they also require a great deal of protection against risk. 

Calling on a specialist in logistics cybersecurity is essential for : 

• minimize the vulnerabilities of your supply chain management software; 
• guarantee the protection of your logistics data against cyber-attacks, hacking and hacking; 
• monitor your IT system. 

5. Develop a logistics network architecture

A logistics designer or supply chain architect is an indispensable asset for any company wishing to extend its global supply chain management strategy. Such an expert takes into account your constraints, resources and business objectives to design supply networks with a long-term vision. 

A logistics designer can help you to : 

• adjust automation flows, resources allocated to technological development of your processes, and monitoring environments; 
• design product supply, routing and distribution networks; 
• optimize processes and adapt them to customer feedback, for example. 

Managing suppliers and freight with digital tools is becoming exponentially more important

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6. Redefine the buyer's job

Today, the purchasing profession is at the heart of the transformations linked to the digitization of the supply chain. Low value-added tasks are increasingly automated. 

In this way, supply chain sourcing and price negotiation - formerly human skills - are now becoming machine-assisted skills. Certain contract management software packages enable us to conclude agreements with suppliers and monitor contract progress.

In short, logistics buyers need to keep pace with the digitization of supply chain tools. In this sense, working with specialized software to assess supplier performance and arming yourself withmarket monitoring tools to identify the best purchasing opportunities is important. 

7. Manage your e-commerce supply chain 

E-commerce has grown exponentially in recent years, with both customers and competitors multiplying! To stay competitive in a market increasingly dominated by e-commerce, supply chain management specialists have implemented warehouse management software (or Warehouse Management Systems). These software packages offer automated, high-performance solutions to the challenges posed by rising demand. 

An e-commerce supply chain management consultant can be useful for :

• improve delivery times ;
• calibrate product selection and promotion methods to market preferences ; 
• interpret inventory and demand data ; 
• streamline automated procurement processes. 

After-sales service management, customer experience and returns management, delivery tracking, inventory and merchandise management, order preparation optimization, e-commerce data entry, sales and marketing strategy performance management... These are just some of the skills possessed by an e-commerce specialist.

The upheavals linked to the digital world have increased the demand for these specialists, so start looking for yours now! 

8. Pay attention to your business intelligence

A business intelligence expert will be particularly useful for analyzing performance reports, the aim being to support your company in guaranteeing the efficiency of your logistics tools. 

To this end, a business intelligence consultant will demonstrate both economic, mathematical and numerical skills to perform given tasks such as: 

• optimization of analysis tools, sorted according to the degree of importance of subjects in the eyes of corporate decision-makers; 
• the delivery of data concerning the management of transport modes; 
• optimizing the global economic forecasting strategy. 

9. Don't neglect your supply chain data 

You need a specialist in economic, mathematical and financial data to analyze strategic business data. Digitization is imposing new constraints on companies, who are constantly having to work more efficiently and faster. 

A continuous optimization expert will help you to :

• identify the problems you encounter at different stages of your value chain; 
• monitor current technological developments and trends to optimize your business model;
• provide a concise, easy-to-understand overview of the main information concerning your supply chain. 

10. Automate your manual, repetitive logistics processes 

Digitization is undeniably having an effect on traditional logistics professions. Old manual and repetitive tasks are gradually being replaced by digital tools.

In particular, you need toimprove the operational efficiency of your supply chain, considerably reducing the risk of error in your logistics operations. As we have already seen, one of the best ways to improve your logistics management is to surround yourself with warehouse and transport management software. 

In addition, logistics data analysis is essential for identifying potential problems in your supply chain. Emergency situations may arise, to which you need to react. In such cases, a logistics analyst needs to arm himself with competent logistics software to solve these problems. 

Conclusion

As you can see, in the digital ageit's important to arm yourself with digital tools tools to optimize your supply chain. In this sense, some of the skills essential to a successful supply chain 4.0 may be impossible to find in-house.