After years of embracing ERPs, TMS, WMS, and a multitude of ad hoc applications that do not really talk to each other or sync together very well, BCO shippers are now refining and defining their supply chain technology stack.
Lessons were learned during the COVID pandemic when the lack of visibility and flexibility in shippers’ supply chains resulted in delays, higher costs, and unhappy customers. However, disparate tech systems persist post-pandemic, with an estimated 43% of organizations still having limited to no visibility of tier-one supplier performance, according to KPMG.
In addition, supply chain disruptions have continued, such as the Ukraine–Russia war, drought conditions in the Panama Canal, the Red Sea crisis, and other regional issues. Pre-pandemic research from consulting firm McKinsey found that on average, companies experience a disruption of one to two months in duration every 3.7 years.
Agility and resilience are vital for today’s supply chains. Systems such as ERPs, TMS, WMS, and others need to “talk to each other,” data needs to be gleaned from each to better understand customer needs, costs, visibility, tracking, and potential new services.
As such, this will become the decade for browser-based solutions with APIs and the ability for solutions to sync with each other.
Browser-based solutions offer several advantages over traditional stand-alone solutions, such as:
- Cost-effective: Browser-based supply chain solutions are typically offered as software as a service (SaaS), meaning businesses pay a subscription fee to access the software over the internet. This eliminates the need for businesses to invest in expensive hardware and software licenses, and it also reduces the IT costs associated with maintaining and updating on-premises software.
- Scalability: Browser-based supply chain solutions are easily scalable. Businesses can add or remove users as needed, and they can increase or decrease their storage capacity without having to upgrade their hardware or software.
- Accessibility: Browser-based supply chain solutions can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows businesses to manage their supply chains from anywhere in the world.
- Integration: Browser-based supply chain solutions can easily integrate with other business applications, such as ERPs, WMS, TMS and other applications. This gives businesses a holistic view of their supply chains and improves their operations' efficiency.
Best-in-class browser-based supply chain solutions incorporate AI.
By integrating AI into browser-based supply chain solutions, businesses can unlock a new level of efficiency and agility.
The benefits include:
- Improved decision-making: AI excels at analyzing vast amounts of data, a hallmark of browser-based supply chains. This allows AI to identify trends, predict demand fluctuations, and optimize inventory levels in real time.
- Enhanced Visibility and Risk Management: With AI weaved into browser-based solutions, companies gain a more comprehensive picture of their entire supply chain. AI can track shipments, identify potential bottlenecks, and even predict disruptions caused by weather events or political instability. This proactive approach allows for faster course correction and minimizes the impact of unforeseen issues.
- Automated Workflows and Improved Efficiency: Repetitive tasks can be a drain on resources. AI-powered automation within browser-based solutions tackles this by automating tasks like order processing, shipment routing, and communication with suppliers. This frees up human employees to focus on higher-level tasks and strategic planning.
The landscape of supply chains is rapidly transforming, and the benefits of browser-based solutions with AI integration are undeniable. For shippers, clinging to outdated methods creates a risk of falling behind. By embracing browser-based solutions, shippers gain a powerful ally – a real-time, data-driven partner that optimizes processes, anticipates challenges, and empowers better decision-making.
In this new era of intelligent supply chains, browser-based solutions with AI are not just an option – they're the key to unlocking a future of efficiency, agility and resilience.
Graham Parker
October 1, 2024
