Harmonizing supply chain management analytics will put organizations on a path to automating their operations.
The evolution of infotech increased customer expectations, economic behavior, and other competitive priorities have caused firms to modify themselves in the current business landscape. Supply chains globally are becoming more complex, thanks to globalization and the consistently changing dynamics of demand and supply. As per a forecast by Gartner, the global supply chain management market was valued at USD 15.85 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach almost USD 31 billion by 2026.
Businesses are channeling the power of big data analytics to disrupt transformations at all levels of supply chain management. Data started as a fundamental component of digital transformation and is now a revolutionary concept. It is the key to achieving breakthroughs in supply chain management systems, and more organizations are integrating data analytics to mine data for proactive insights and accelerate intelligent decision-making.
Big data implementation in supply chain management addresses several issues, from strategic to operational to tactical. It includes everything from building efficient communication between suppliers and manufacturers to boosting delivery times. Decision-makers can utilize analytics reports to increase operational efficiency and boost productivity by closely monitoring the system’s performance at each level.
See also: Dissecting a Supply Chain’s Digital Twin
What is Big Supply Chain Analytics, and How Does it Work?
Integrating big data analytics with the supply chain makes big supply chain analytics enable business executives to compute better growth decisions for all possible maneuvers by combining data and quantitative methodologies. Notably, it adds two features.
First, it broadens the dataset for analysis beyond internal data stored in existing SCM and ERP systems. Second, it uses advanced statistical techniques to analyze the new and existing data. This generates new insights that help make better decisions for improving front-line operations and strategic decisions like implementing the best supply chain models.
Here’s how big data and analytics can make a difference in every stage of the supply chain:
Here are five ways big data and analytics are disrupting supply chain management:
1) Improved demand forecasting
Demand forecasting is one of the crucial steps in building a successful supply chain strategy. With data science and analytics in play, businesses experience automated demand forecasting. This assists them in quickly responding to fluctuations in the market and streamlining the optimal stock levels every time.
Modern platforms use historical sales data to study past trends, which helps them to forecast demand for different products, warehouse requirements, and locations in real time. Upgrading technologies like Machine learning and blockchain in supply chain management empower supply chain tools with more features to streamline payments, processes, and overall operations. AI-enabled big data analytics platforms enable automated inventory alerts and suggest reorder quantity based on forecasted demand.
2) Enhanced production efficiency
Data science and analytics play a significant role in gauging organizational performance. Accurate application of big data analytics can help organizations track, analyze, and share employee performance metrics in real time. You can identify excellent employees who are struggling to maintain a consistent performance. This could be quickly done with IoT-enabled work badges, which exchange information with sensors installed in production line units.
Big data analytics pinpoint inefficiencies and opportunities in every segment of the production process. You can easily track underperforming elements and techniques and quickly resolve them to enhance productivity. Also, with better insights at every level, you can perform predictive analysis for preventive maintenance, prepare for prognostic failures, etc.
3) Better sourcing and supplier management
Supply chain management systems have empowered organizations to collate data on multiple suppliers. Using data science solutions, you can leverage this data to gain insights into the historical record of any supplier. With this, you can gauge based on crucial metrics such as compliance, location, reviews, feedback, services, etc.
Big data analytics enables you to select the most appropriate supplier per your requirements. You can also manage your suppliers efficiently and integrate your supply chain with real-time information on traffic, weather forecasts, and strikes to track delays and prepare for any deviation in delivery patterns.
4) Better warehouse management
Warehouses are acquiring modern technology and have started installing sensors to collect data on the inventory flow. This helps you build an extensive database containing information based on the weight and dimensions of the packages. With sensors installed in your warehouse, you can identify bottlenecks that obstruct the flow and can be easily resolved at the earliest with the big data-fueled systems.
Robotic warehouses infused with big data analytics offer better warehouse management. The data collected by robotic sensors is analyzed to optimize stock management and improve warehouse safety by reducing hazards with safe and accelerated stock movement.
For instance, Amazon uses KIVA robots to grab products from shelves, and it helps reduce the manual input in moving and packing products. Amazon also has drones to deliver items to a customer living within thirty minutes of an Amazon data warehouse center.
5) Improved distribution and logistics
Order fulfillment and traceability are essential for business productivity and customer satisfaction. Logistics have traditionally been cost-focused and effectively look for ways that provide them competitive advantages. Data science solutions enable logistic providers to leverage data analytics to improve their operations. For instance, they use fuel consumption analytics to improve driving efficiency. With GPS technology, they can track real-time routing of deliveries and reduce long waiting times by allocating nearby warehouses.
On the other hand, more strategic processes can be implemented to cut costs and carbon emissions by adhering to suitable transportation modes. Delivery routes can be optimized with integrated data from diverse sources like Geo-location, weather reports, road maintenance data, personal schedules, and vehicle maintenance into one system that advises vehicle managers to reroute to the best possible routes.
Also, big data analytics in supply chain management empowers methodological capacity planning. Companies can compare the demand rate for different locations and accordingly align the availability of vehicles and personnel where they are needed most.
Summing up
Supply chain management transformation is not a single-step process; it is a proactive journey. Supply chain players have started implementing big data solutions to unlock the value of analytics with modern approaches and experience. Harmonizing supply chain management analytics will put organizations on a path to automating their operations. It will be a disruptive transformation and will create happier and more satisfied customers.
