Quick Summary:  The supply chain contains many intricate and complex processes happening at the same time across the globe. Overseeing all of this can become more and more difficult, particularly when unexpected events like a pandemic or geopolitical issues arise and wreak havoc on operations companies have already established. As a result, businesses are adopting various logistics software solutions to help address the challenges of managing the intricate supply chain. However, with so many IT options available, figuring out which ones your company truly requires can be challenging. Therefore, we have decided to create a summary of the main kinds of supply chain software development for business leaders to think about. Continue reading to find out what they are.

10 Crucial SCM Software Types

Order Processing: This particular form of supply chain management system is designed to assist with the handling of order processing tasks, as the name implies. Since the promptness with which new requests are processed has a direct impact on customer satisfaction and, ultimately, the company’s revenue, this aspect of the business must operate at a high level of efficiency. Consequently, businesses often introduce these types of tools to streamline and expedite a substantial portion of their day-to-day operations.

Truck Dispatching: Logistics companies can benefit from truck dispatch software by streamlining operations like vehicle routing, delivery tracking, and scheduling. This type of software is ideal for businesses that spend a lot of time communicating with stakeholders, struggle with routing logistics, or have high rates of empty miles traveled. The automation and optimization provided by truck dispatch systems can simplify supply chain management and transportation workflows. The software assists with essential tasks like determining the best routes, monitoring vehicle locations and conditions, and efficiently coordinating schedules. In summary, trucking dispatch software can optimize key processes for firms involved in haulage, leading to time and cost savings.

Scheduling: An automated solution for employee scheduling is ordinarily hosted in the cloud and helps streamline the process of scheduling, monitoring work hours, facilitating communication, and other related tasks. The use of such a system helps avoid problems related to paying employees incorrectly, boosts employee morale, and reduces conflicts in the scheduling process.

Inventory Management: Inventory optimization applications help supply chain businesses maximize storage facility capacity, refine manufacturing schedules, and even predict consumer demand to circumvent product shortages. 

In addition, storage facility control solutions enhanced with artificial intelligence can effortlessly assemble particular goods in the inventory to simplify logistical tasks. For example, by combining deliveries that may need to leave around the same time together for simpler access.

Shipment Monitoring: Supply chain managers often have immense amounts of goods being shipped to clients across the globe every day. Understandably, they need to know the whereabouts of each shipment not just to update the sender and receiver, but also to address any possible issues promptly.  

Therefore, supply chain software development company depend on cargo tracking solutions that offer notifications, reports, and GPS coordinates at each point of the delivery procedure. As one might expect, these solutions permit full transparency of the whole distribution system and enable seamless management of activities. The high volume of cargo being transported to customers worldwide every single day means that supply chain operators naturally need to be aware of where each shipment is located. This is crucial not only to keep the recipient and sender informed, but also to be able to swiftly handle any potential problem.

Hence, shipment tracking tools that provide alerts, updates, and GPS location at every step of the delivery process allow supply chain management companies to have full visibility of the entire distribution network and facilitate smooth control of operations.

Demand Forecasting: Demand forecasting applications are available either as components of broader supply chain management platforms or as independent solutions that can be integrated with other supply chain software. The purpose of these applications is to predict future demand to improve inventory control, workforce planning, etc. 

The most advanced versions of this software now include machine learning algorithms that make forecasts based not just on historical data but also on current market conditions. Because ML-powered tools can rapidly analyze vast amounts of data, these forecasts tend to be highly precise.

Business Intelligence: Performing comprehensive data analysis is vital for any business that aims to progress, expand, and generate more income, regardless of the industry. As such, organizations frequently put in place data analysis solutions that empower them to evaluate overall performance, determine the triumph of sales and marketing efforts, pinpoint the origins of holdups or mistakes, and so on. Likewise, carrying out in-depth and timely business intelligence is a pivotal type of supply chain management software. It enables companies to run the necessary data analytics across their supply chain, just as they do for other aspects of their operations.

Customer and Supplier Management: Supply chain managers need to ensure the needs of their clients and vendors are met. These stakeholders are the foundation of the business, so maintaining good relationships with them is critical to success. Technology solutions like customer relationship management systems help organize all data about customers and suppliers in one place. By centralizing this information, supply chain operators can better serve these groups and foster lasting partnerships.

Client Support: It is essential for businesses that promise product delivery to establish accessible communication channels for their customers. Customers expect the ability to connect with the company in the event of a problem.  As such, implementing live chat options on the company website and mobile application or operating a dedicated call center where staff can address incoming questions are prudent steps.  

Furthermore, some companies choose to equip their call centers with artificial intelligence tools to gain benefits like automatic call recording, instant data insights, and prompts for agents during calls. Doing so helps guarantee that any problems are fixed quickly while minimizing negative impacts on the customer experience. In short, when customers rely on a company to fulfill orders, the company must provide the means for customers to get in touch if needed. AI-powered call centers and online/in-app chat functions are two ways to enable efficient communication and issue resolution.

Collaboration: Finally, your supply chain company will struggle to work efficiently without tools that enable cooperation. Since there are many interested parties across the whole value network, it’s crucial to have frameworks in place that assist everyone in communicating. If you need to talk about order problems, blockages, new agreements, or work on specific jobs, you can utilize project administration solutions and chat programs to guarantee everything is accomplished.

Conclusion  

As we have covered today, there are many supply chain management solutions that your company could potentially put into place. However, figuring out the ideal system or combination of systems for your unique needs can be challenging. This is where we can provide assistance. With years of experience successfully building and deploying logistics software, Brain Inventory is well-equipped to help you determine which tools are the best fit for your organization. We can then help you implement those tools smoothly and effectively. So regardless of where you currently stand in terms of supply chain technology, please complete the form below. Our knowledgeable experts will follow up soon to offer guidance backed by real-world experience.