Benefits of Supply Chain Management

Supply Chain Management (SCM) software can offer tremendous value to any company that relies on the smooth planning and execution of related operations to achieve long-term profitability and maintain a solid competitive edge. That’s why more and more organizations are purchasing and implementing supply chain applications. Here are some of the key benefits that SCM software delivers:

Improved Supply Chain Network
Supply chain management software provides complete, 360-degree visibility across the entire supply chain network. It allows users to monitor the status of all activities across all suppliers, production plants, storage facilities, and distribution centers. This enables more effective tracking and management of all related processes, from the ordering and acquisition of raw materials, to manufacturing and shipping of finished goods to customers or retail outlets. The status of mission-critical activities can be tracked at all times, and potential inefficiencies or problems can be identified and corrected immediately, before they become unmanageable.

Minimized Delays
Many supply chains – particularly those that haven’t been enhanced with a supply chain application – are plagued by delays that can result in poor relationships and lost business. Late shipments from vendors, hold-ups on production lines, and logistical errors in distribution channels are all common issues that can negatively impact a company’s ability to satisfy customer demand for its products. With SCM software, all activities can be seamlessly coordinated and executed from start to finish, ensuring much higher levels of on-time delivery across the board.

Enhanced Collaboration
Imagine having the ability to know exactly what your suppliers and distributors are doing at all times – and vice versa.

SCM software makes that possible by bridging the gap between disparate business software systems at remote locations to dramatically improve collaboration among supply chain partners. With SCM software, all participants can dynamically share vital information – such as demand trend reports, forecasts, inventory levels, order statuses, and transportation plans – in real-time. This type of instantaneous, unhindered communication and data-sharing will help keep all key stakeholders informed, so that supply chain processes can run as smoothly as possible.

Reduced Costs
Supply Chain Management software can help reduce overhead expenses in a variety of ways. It can, for example:

• Improve inventory management, facilitating the successful implementation of just-in-time stock models and eliminating the strain on real estate and financial resources incurred by the storage of excess components and finished goods
• Enable more effective demand planning, so production output levels can be set to most effectively address customer requirements – without the shortages that result in lost sales or wastes that drain budgets
• Improve relationships with vendors and distributors, so that purchasing and logistics professionals can identify cost-cutting opportunities such as volume discounts