If you’re still manually managing orders, counting inventory by hand and sending faxes to process shipments, you’re probably suffering. These archaic methods are on their way out and the time of manual supply chain management is fading.

Mobile supply chain management is on the rise with tools and technologies that take the blood, sweat and tears out of your mundane processes in favor of faster, more accurate and efficient practices.

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Article Roadmap

• What Is a Mobile Supply Chain?
• Benefits
• Challenges
• Technology
• Mobile Supply Chain Applications
• Next Steps

What Is a Mobile Supply Chain?

A mobile supply chain is the integration of mobile technologies throughout the entirety of a supply chain — from procurement through production and distribution.

They include technologies like wearables, smartphones, tablets, IoT sensors and other connected devices that offer real-time visibility into vital arms of the chain. Employees can access everything they need while on the move without sacrificing efficiency or time.

Track products as they move through the warehouse, check in with suppliers, manage distribution, set up transportation and more, all without sitting at a desk. The benefits are many. Let’s dive into some now.

Primary Benefits

Mobility isn’t the way of the future. It’s the way of the present. In fact, investment in these options is rising, with the global mobile supply chain tech market expected to hit $126.4 billion in value by 2031.

Here’s how integrating mobile supply chain technology can benefit your enterprise:

Improve Real-Time Visibility

With a mobile-enabled system, you gain instant access to accurate data on inventory levels, order status updates and shipment tracking. A transparent view empowers decision-makers to make informed choices promptly and respond swiftly to changes in demand or unforeseen disruptions.

Supply chain visibility is key to staying agile, competitive and informed. Instead of waiting until you’re in an over- or understock situation, you can stay ahead of the curve and ensure your inventory is set up for success.

Boost Productivity

Mobility eliminates data entry or reliance on paper-based processes, reducing errors and saving valuable time. Employees can update inventory counts, capture barcode information and complete tasks remotely, improving overall operational efficiency.

Nobody wants to dig through a file cabinet or lug around cumbersome equipment across the warehouse.

Strengthen Collaboration

It takes a lot of people to keep a supply chain running. You have to deal with teams and third-party providers scattered across warehouses, distribution centers, suppliers and more. Communication is key, and mobile tech makes it easier than ever.

In a mobile supply chain environment, teams across different departments and locations can seamlessly communicate and share critical information in real time.

Whether passing production updates between manufacturing plants or coordinating with transportation partners on delivery schedules, collaboration becomes effortless and effective.

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Challenges

Integrating mobile tools isn’t all sunshine and big bags of money. There are a few challenges that make adopting these tools difficult; make sure you prepare before jumping into new technology.

Security Risks

Supply chains pass around a lot of important information. When relegated to a digital arena, these critical bits of data face some scary vulnerabilities in the form of external attacks or theft. Proactive action is required to ensure data is locked down, safe and protected from malicious parties.

Data encryption, secure access controls, password policies and device management are critical to safeguarding sensitive supply chain information.

Integration Complexity

Integrating mobile solutions with existing enterprise systems can be complex due to variations in hardware devices, operating systems and software applications across your infrastructure.

New tools come with new problems. Spend some time ensuring you can perform a seamless integration that doesn’t throw a wrench into your operations. Spending thousands of dollars on new tools only to find that your legacy systems aren’t compatible is a recipe for disaster.

Technology

Now that you’ve got an idea about the advantages of a mobile supply chain, let’s jump into some of the actual tech that makes it happen.

Mobile Apps

Obviously, all of your fancy new devices don’t mean much without the apps that make them work. Access your vital supply chain data via smartphones with apps that ensure accurate, up-to-date information from all corners of your supply chain.

Custom-built or off-the-shelf mobile applications tailored to specific supply chain functions, such as inventory management, order processing and fleet tracking, enable real-time data capture and seamless integration with existing systems.

Cloud Computing

The cloud’s popularity is no surprise, thanks to its ease of access and affordability compared to on-premise systems. Currently, the global cloud supply chain software market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 11% through 2027.

Cloud-based platforms enable secure storage and access to data from anywhere at any time. This scalability allows businesses to handle large volumes of information while providing reliable synchronization across various devices and locations.

Internet of Things

The Internet of Things is making waves in most industries these days. IoT-enabled tech turns your supply chain into a constant, real-time data producing machine. Connect everything for a near-flawless look into how each leg of your chain functions.

IoT devices equipped with sensors provide valuable insights into different stages of the supply chain. For example, temperature sensors in refrigerated trucks can ensure proper storage conditions for perishable goods, while GPS trackers allow real-time shipment tracking.

Data Analytics

Having a massive well of information is great, but you need to be able to sift through and understand it. Data analytics tools support everything from business intelligence to enterprise reporting, ensuring access and understanding.

By harnessing the power of big data analytics, you gain valuable insights into patterns and trends within your supply chains. Predictive analytics can help anticipate future demand patterns or identify bottlenecks in the logistics process for proactive decision-making.

Now, for the most important part, what are the concrete applications of this tech, and what specific parts of your supply chain does it support?

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Mobile Supply Chain Applications

The answer? A lot. Mobile supply chain tools combine to bolster everything from inventory and warehouse management to supplier collaboration.

Order Processing

Mobile order processing applications streamline the sales order entry process, so sales representatives can create orders on-site during customer visits or remotely while in transit.

These apps allow immediate visibility into product availability and pricing information, leading to faster order fulfillment. Quicker, more accurate orders equal happier customers and repeat revenue streams.

Inventory Management

Access real-time stock levels, facilitate barcode scanning for accurate data capture and enable easy product information updating. Mobile devices let warehouse employees view inventory data as they travel.

Avoid stockouts, overstocking and inaccurate storage with constant real-time updates.

Warehouse Management

Imagine a world where your warehouse employees had to return to the office for instruction after every task. Mobile warehouse management apps let employees with handheld devices receive real-time instructions regarding picking orders, locating items and updating inventory statuses.

Every manual task you can do away with is an opportunity to increase efficiency and boost employee autonomy.

Delivery Tracking

These tools support real-time shipment monitoring from departure to final destination. Drivers can use GPS-enabled devices to track routes while simultaneously updating delivery statuses such as arrival times or any delays that may occur along the way.

Keep your customers in the know. Consumers want to know when their products will arrive and where they are at any given moment.

Compliance Management

Maintain regulatory compliance by providing easy access to relevant documentation and letting employees report issues or incidents promptly.

It isn’t the most glamorous portion of your supply chain, but staying in line with the numerous compliance standards imposed across the globe is key to staying in business. Juggling them all without a system backing you up is a surefire way to land in hot water and lose valuable time playing catch up.

Some of these considerations include:

• Employee labor laws
• Hazardous materials handling and storage
• Environmental impacts
• Supplier standards and compliance
• And more!

Supplier Collaboration

Mobile tools enhance communication between businesses and their suppliers, allowing seamless collaboration on procurement activities, order fulfillment and inventory management.

Staying in touch with your suppliers is key. If there’s an emergency and you can only get in contact through a fax or phone call, you could be in trouble.

This aspect goes hand in hand with compliance. If you have to meet certain regulatory and environmental standards, you need to ensure your supplier is on the same page.

Maintaining open and accessible communication with your suppliers comes with several other advantages, such as:

• Mitigate bullwhip effects with real-time data flows to your suppliers
• Improve forecast accuracy
• Enhance agility and the ability to respond to disruptions
• Negotiate better pricing through lasting supplier relationships

Performance Analytics

Apps that provide insight into key metrics such as on-time delivery rates, order accuracy and inventory turnover are key to staying competitive. You get warnings about issues that, left unchecked, could send your supply chain into chaos.

These offer more than just a quick look at how you’re doing. They’re your canary in the coal mine, so to speak. If an important KPI drops, you know something is wrong and to take action.

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Next Steps

A mobile supply chain is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity. Staying competitive requires adopting the latest technology and not being afraid to change how you handle business.

Digging through the market can be overwhelming, especially if you’re just jumping into the software market. Our free comparison report can give you a leg up and help you compare market leaders to see if they’re the best choice.

How has adopting mobile supply chain technology changed your processes? Let us know with a comment!