Many people think that technology is behind supply chain operations, but in reality much of it has to do with human activity and processing transactions.
The challenge for logistics companies is how to differentiate themselves. To do this, companies must make business decisions that revolve around the customer experience while integrating the right smart technologies within their supply chain.
Such technologies, such as transportation management systems (TMS), automation and artificial intelligence (AI), will reduce inefficiencies and bottlenecks in already fragmented supply chains.
How Technology Integration Can Increase Supply Chain Efficiency
Meeting modern customer demands requires partnering with vendors and integrating multiple technologies. As with any strategy, key steps in planning technology integration within your organization include research, onboarding, and partner engagement.
Using the best vendors, the right tools.
conduct research
Evaluate your business, market trends, and what your competitors have available. We research in terms of TMS and best-in-class partnerships to help you choose vendors that:
●Valuable collaboration
● Providing ease of use
● Increase visibility
● Save time for employees and customers
Onboard and partner with the best vendors
Identify and vette vendors based on your goals, needs and budget. Choose different companies and partner with them from different perspectives such as tracking, LTL, TMS, pricing.
Use software to automate supply chain processes such as demand and supply planning, bidding, and order fulfillment.
For example, if a customer uses TMS, they can simply log into TMS, find their load, enter their rate, and save the information. The robot can do in 4 seconds what a human employee would normally take about 45 or 50 seconds per load.
use the right tools
Whether it’s API connectivity with various pricing tools, middleware for setting up and tuning your software, or robots for entering prices and getting quotes on our portal, choose the right tool for you.
Integrating these technologies will allow you to:
● Streamlining business processes
● Reduce customer costs
● Improving employee technical resources for overall business efficiency
Instead of investing in all the technology in-house, we onboard the best available partners to bring all the different solutions to our customers.
Impact of Supply Chain Technologies on Customer Experience
Amazon changed customer expectations for timeliness and communication, but tricked them into thinking they were providing excellent customer service.
By integrating technology, Amazon solves customer problems through redelivery and visibility, not people, while delivering operational excellence.
Yet the problem still occurs. Especially when a customer runs into a problem and needs a quick resolution. Amazon provides end-her customers with phone numbers (presumably automated with robots returning her AI answers based on customer responses), and entry-level call center employees mediate issues. increase.
The key to a great customer experience is having a team of dedicated account managers who integrate smart technology and understand your business.
There should be a good mix of three key elements:
●Innovation
● Operational Excellence
● Intimacy with customers
Innovation allows companies to charge a premium for what you create, while operational excellence (upskilling staff and building an effective analytics infrastructure) helps you deliver exemplary customer service.
However, customer intimacy determines the overall customer experience and gives your business a competitive edge. Supply should work with customers while sharing information, issues, and ideas on improving her chain integration.
process.
It’s like getting a tailor-made suit. You understand the process and are willing to pay a premium for fancy outfits.
For example, if your business operates at the intersection of operational excellence and customer intimacy, you can prioritize client relationships and equip your teams with the latest technology to work quickly and efficiently. .
Maximize ROI from supply chain technology
Customers expect faster, more flexible deliveries with real-time visibility.
What’s the key to a thriving, future-proof supply chain? Integrating and maximizing multiple technologies. This promises increased efficiency, reduced costs, improved customer experience, and more measurable revenue.
About the author
Kyle Ingraham is President of Logistics at AFC Logistics, a leading freight and logistics company headquartered in Tampa.
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