The increasing need for an interconnected and interdependent supply chain ecosystem accomplished by mind-boggling technological innovations and clever enterprise mobility technologies is reshaping the way the supply chain is managed. Mobile Supply chain Management (mSCM) has been truly revolutionary in navigating the global supply chain crisis, and the pace of progress shows no sign of moderating. The recent pandemic was unarguably the biggest black swan event that disrupted several global supply chains; however, competitive dynamics, heightened demand for last-mile delivery, and concerns over consumer trust are making headwinds strong. The agility, adaptability, and alignment offered within the ecosystem by mSCM can help to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage in the supply chain and prepare it for unexpected events, respond to disruptions, and recover by maintaining continuity of operations at the desired level of connectedness & control.
The tech-led behemoths like Amazon and Walmart are harvesting an ever-increasingly large share of the total retail market, making the future gloomy for traditional bricks-and-mortar retailers. Additionally, the challenges related to declining foot traffic in stores, the expensive retail infrastructure, and labor costs render many businesses unprofitable in competition. Consequently, many high street brands like Marks and Spencer, J.C. Penney and Sears, etc are closing their stores. However, this phenomenon not necessarily features the death knell for traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. Transforming to ‘bricks-and-clicks’ and harnessing the power of technology can make retailers resilient.
When it comes to retail, ineffective supply chain management can lead to lower profit, fewer clients, and eventually a worse reputation in the market. With the rise of omnichannel retailing, delivering the products/services impeccably and quickly is even more crucial for retailers. Mobile SCM (mSCM) can aid the global supply chain crisis and ultimately help organizations to gain cost reductions, supply chain responsiveness, and competitive advantage. It facilitates communication, internet access, data exchange, and transactional capabilities within the supply chain ecosystem through mobile or handheld computing devices like PDAs, smartphones, tablets, HHDs, pocket PCs, personal digital assistants, etc.
Where mobile technology can be envisaged in SCM?
- E-procurement
- Material handling
- Warehousing
- Inventory management
- Logistics & fulfilment
- Asset tracking
- Sales & field force automation
- Dispatch management
What are Mobile Supply Chain (mSCM) Advantages?
- Mobile devices when connected to an organization’s computer server via wireless technology infrastructures such as GPS, GIS, and wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) enable users to share data across functions.
- Perform seamlessly all online transactions along with sharing & exchanging up-to-date information.
- Provide on-demand customer service, manage logistics, transportation, and inventory levels effortlessly.
- mSCM coupled with other software applications can be used to deliver personalized services to stakeholders in the supply chain and the customers.
- The real-time & dynamic capabilities of mSCM can result in high SCM responsiveness, cost reductions, speed to market (lead times), profitability, & supply chain performance, thereby, creating a new source of competitive advantage.
- Mobile SCM can deconstruct and extend the supply chain to exhibit a high trust relationship between various partners.
- The importance of coordination and integration in the supply chain is well-known, mSCM facilitates coordination and integration across functions and firms to eliminate response lag time.
Mobile SCM Applications for Upstream Processes
- Truck manifest reconciliation at check-in times and freight pickups using RFIDs, WWANs, and WLANs
- Supplier coordination versatility using technology to increase transaction velocity.
- Greater inventory visibility using mobile technologies based on GPS.
- Shipment schedule coordination by pinpointing the location of delivery trucks and packages.
- Telematics, to facilitate greater visibility and control.
- Workflow applications like document approvals, expense reporting, payments, & purchase orders.
- Wireless product identification like RFID scans electronic product codes and transmits it to back-office systems.
- Telemetry that automatically records measurements from a distance.
- Wi-Fi technology or proximity-based Bluetooth technology for real-time data capture.
Mobile SCM Applications for Downstream Processes
- GPS bearer technologies with transportation management systems to identify dispatching routes & delivery schedules.
- Customer relationship management using HHDs and pocket PCs.
- Connecting with back-office inventory management & ERP.
- Returns processing and reverse logistics wherein mobile technologies can allow drivers and service representatives to accept returns.
- Telemetry to remotely monitor and control the resources.
Mobile technology is flexible, personalized, and ubiquitous to present an opportunity to streamline business processes and accelerate collaborations across the supply chain ecosystem. mSCM facilitates information sharing that helps to streamline decisions and plan the right assortment of stocks. Be it upstream or downstream integration retailers are prioritizing mobile technology to strengthen their supply chains and navigate the crisis.If you too are looking for cost-effective mobile technology options for supply chain collaboration and integration, we’re just a click away. Connect with us now!
