While COVID-19 created a major disruption for businesses across the world, some companies have managed to seize opportunities for growth. The reason behind their success is due to their use of digital, automated processes rather than manual processes.
If you’re looking to shift your processes from manual to digital and automated, you might face some challenges along the way. Read on to learn what those obstacles are and what you can do to overcome them.
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Challenge 1: Supply Chain Maturity
The first challenge for many companies to tackle is supply chain maturity. The concept of digital supply chain maturity refers to how resilient your supply chain is. How much pressure can it withstand if one link breaks? How quickly could you fix that problem?
While the shift to a digital supply chain as well as stronger supply chain management is crucial, you have to understand where you are in terms of supply chain maturity. When you know where you are, you can identify what steps you need to take to move forward and make progress.
Challenge 2: Availability of Shared Information
In 2011, the World Economic Forum published a report about risks to the supply chain and global transportation sector. Some of the risks were ones you would expect: reliance on oil, transport providers merging, customs and borders, and inventory levels. However, there were also a few things on the list of risks that you might not have considered. The second risk on the list was the availability of shared information.
In companies, information tends to reside in silos – the worst place for it to be easily shared and communicated. It can be difficult for firms to figure out where all of this data is. How can you overcome this challenge? Enlist a managed services provider skilled in modern B2B integration to help you centralize your information.
Challenge 3: Supplier Visibility
Another challenge on the World Economic Forum’s list was supplier visibility. Maybe you’ve gained greater visibility into your own data as you shift your processes from manual to automated ones, yet your suppliers are still relying on paper or email. You can’t control what’s going on with your suppliers, so how are you supposed to overcome this particular challenge?
The answer isn’t to force your suppliers to make the same journey you’ve made. Rather, it’s to make it easier for them to send information digitally. Again, a managed services provider specializing in modern B2B integration can help you find a solution that makes it simpler to onboard suppliers and trading partners without them investing in new technology.
“A managed services provider specializing in modern B2B integration makes it easier to onboard suppliers.”
For many companies, COVID-19 has been a wakeup call to shift toward a digital supply chain. While there will be challenges in making that move, there are also ways to overcome those obstacles to improve supply chain management. Finding the right modern B2B integration specialist is an excellent first step for your firm.
Remedi is a leader in the field of B2B integration. Contact us today to discuss your integration needs.
