How Has Supply Chain Improved Due To Advancements In Technology?

Technology is used in many organizations for making significant improvements in the supply chain system and thus increasing its efficiency.

A complete supply chain begins where the product is manufactured to the point when it is present in the hands of the consumers. Previously, there were two methods of supply chain used in the business world, the push and the pull method. These two strategies of the supply chain are very different from one another, however, neither of them was a good option. Since there was a need for something more than these two strategies, technology was used for the purpose that eventually resulted in significant improvements in the supply chain system.

Technological Advancements As An Aid To Supply Chain System

Following are some of the major advantages of inducing technology in developing the supply chain system.

Availability Of Barcode Scanners

One of the ways through which technology has improved the overall supply chain system is through the availability of the barcode scanning system. The barcode scanners improve the total efficiency of the inventory management and eventually order fulfillment process also becomes well-organized. Previously, all inventory items were counted by hand and matched to the inventory,however, now it is not needed. Various errors were made prior to the introduction and implementation of barcode system. Many stocks were found in the wrong place, particularly because of the similar size. Eventually wrong items were packed together, which resulted in money and time costs. All the errors because of manual operations do not occur anymore consequently improving the overall supply chain system.

Tracking Of Packages Being Delivered

Tracking of products and packages to know where they are present in the supply chain helps in many different ways. If the retailer accurately knows where the products are, it is easier for them to have knowledge as to when the products will reach him. Similarly, service departments also benefit as they can schedule the maintenance accordingly, thus reducing the waiting time of customers. Businesses benefit greatly due to automated shipping as they can efficiently meet deadlines, reduce operational costs and much more!

Efficient Quality Control System

It’s due to technology that now it is easier and quicker to keep quality control check as well as to report if there is a problem in a product. Following are some of the vital information that a barcode keeps track of:

• Identification and serial numbers of the product
• Location of the product once it is dispatched

If a defect is found in any product, it is easy to track it through the above information and the batch can be reviewed for quality control purposes. The affected units of a particular batch can be identified and removed very easily due to the use of barcodes. Other purpose of using barcode includes recording the destination of the product to ensure quality throughout the supply chain process.

Undoubtedly, technology has made drastic changes in business operations and has helped the business work effectively and efficiently. Today there is a new meaning to supply chain due to technological implications. It is easier for manufacturers to track their products and maintain the highest quality and record accurate information of millions of items!

Author Bio:

Arabella Alice is a supply chain consultant in one of the reputed manufacturing organizations. She is also specialized in Information Technology and has spent more than 15 years of her career in the industrial sector looking at the supply chain operations of the company. She also contributes articles regarding business and technology at Websberry.com. You can find her on Facebook and Linkedin.