Digitization. If there’s one major buzzword in today’s global supply logistics, it may be digitization. But the movement toward an end-to-end (E2E) digitally-driven supply stream is more than simply the flavor of the day; rather, it represents a fundamental shift in the way planners and managers oversee and deploy their planning and production processes.
If we understand supply chain digitization as the movement toward a completely integrated sequence of planning and production solutions that work in tandem to create a more visible and agile supply stream across, then it’s clear why this topic is top priority for companies looking to remain competitive and growth-oriented in the 21st Century. Digitization not only helps companies function more efficiently and effectively, but it also provides companies the responsiveness and agility necessary to address and avoid potential breakdowns in demand planning, production, transportation, and yard or container management.
But as digitization across the supply network becomes more of a necessity, it is important for planners and managers to assess the challenges and risks associated with overhauling their supply pipelines to conform to a more digital platform. As such, companies must ask themselves a number of important questions, such as: What are the pitfalls in embracing digitization and reengineering a company's supply stream? What should manufacturers be aware of when incorporating an all-digital platform as part of their supply chain management strategy? And how can these pitfalls be avoided in order to foster true end-to-end (E2E) visibility?
The answers to these questions may provide much clarity for companies as they strive to gain a deeper understanding of their overall supply situation and the efficacy of their planning and production practices. With this in mind, let’s examine a few of the key challenges in digitizing the supply chain and the reasons why companies should take these challenges into account when reengineering their supply networks.
The integration of solutions and systems
Perhaps one of the most common challenges in deploying a digitized supply stream is the holistic integration of supply chain solutions as a core driver of this digitization. Because the nuances of today’s automotive supply chain are vast and varied, companies often have a number of different planning, production, and reporting/data management solutions deployed simultaneously. Creating a digital supply chain strategy requires a top-to-bottom, soup-to-nuts approach that brings each application under the same umbrella. Successful creation and implementation of such a strategy will help eliminate functional silos and increase communication and collaboration surrounding planning and production benchmarks and goals.
Connecting disparate data points and sources
The Internet of Things (IOT) has become a force in supply chain management in recent years as a way of not only connecting systems and solutions, but also fostering more accurate, responsive, and accessible data management and analytics. Via the IOT, digitizing the supply chain connects various methods of collecting, sorting, and evaluating data to help planners and managers create more accurate forecasts of demand for more effective planning strategies. In addition, the proliferation of Industry 4.0 has only accelerated this integration.
The connection of data sources helps planners and managers create enhanced what-if scenarios and simulations, both of which are critical for driving planning schemes for production programs. Failure to administer and manage these connections means critical data points and actionable data will not be utilized in understanding how effective and responsive a company’s planning and production strategies can be.
Maintaining communication and collaboration
Digitizing the supply chain is a critical move toward eliminating communication silos across an organization. This means major players within the supply stream will have a greater capacity to share data, collaborate on important initiatives, and work in conjunction to ensure smooth workflows free of bottlenecks, disruptions, or breakdowns. Because a digitized supply chain is based in part on a central hub of data storage with multiple access points, gone are the days when those within the supply stream had to wait days or weeks to review data sets and communicate the results of said data. Those within the supply stream access data and communicate its importance in real-time, which is a core driver of end-to-end (E2E) visibility.
Because a manufacturer deploys integrated planning solutions and manages data sources effectively, some planners and managers believe collaboration will simply fall into place - this could not be further from the truth. Collaboration and coordination between various stages of the supply stream are not by-products of digitization, but rather critical functions that must be created, nurtured, and developed over time.
Why digitization is so important?
Today’s automotive supply chain is truly in an information age. Manufacturers rely on the accuracy and availability of data and reporting to create better planning platforms and production programs, but also to more effectively manage inventory, ship and track the movement of parts, and even manage personnel. The point is this: The complete digitization of the supply chain is quickly becoming less of a dream and more of a necessity for companies to remain viable and competitive. The days of a silo-based supply chain are gone and companies must operate in a more lean, streamlined manner to compete on a global stage.
If you want to learn more, download your guide to Transformation of Manufacturing Processes.
In this Guide you will learn:
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Emerging Challenges in the Modern Truck/Automotive Industry
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How Can Global Companies Adapt to These New Realities
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How Decentralized Digital Systems Power Smarter Planning Processes
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How flexis Can Support Flexible Supply Chain Transformation
