- Improve your logistics and supply chain forecasts
With the disruptive nature of the modern supply chains, the outcome of specific decisions can be disastrous. The unexpected events are likely to come up, and this may derail your plans. As a way of coping with this, it is ideal to predict or forecast what lies ahead with predictive analytics. By leveraging the existing operational data into the analytics, you can easily understand the potential future trends and respond to them accordingly. Make use of big data analytics to understand the market and identify the expectations using data-driven models.
- Use real-time data
Things tend to move with so much speed in the supply chain. This means that you have to move with the same or even more speed since situations can change within a short time. As you plan to deliver items with unmatched efficiency, you need to cope with the speed by taking advantage of real-time data. With real-time insights, you can make adjustments faster and preserve maximum value in the face of uncertainty. While doing this, be proactive, reactive, and be in a position to identify possible challenges and risks. This way, you significantly reduce complexity and risks. This results in more deliveries and fewer issues with the customers.
- Use “what if” scenarios
The “what if” scenarios enable you to understand the potential events and try to hypothesize what could happen if you do something. This is a good thing for planners who could respond to events even before they occur. For example, what if you are removed from a particular hub or cross-dock? What if you could add another warehouse? The what-if scenarios allow brainstorming of certain events and determining with certainty how you can respond to the effects or unexpected disruptions.
- Find good partners
Having the right people and surrounding yourself with the right partners can take you far. Although you can do many things alone, you need to consider the right people as partners. They will help you limit the complexities in the supply chain by enhancing delivery speed and innovation.
- Control your capacity management
As the number of trade routes and the number of shipping routes increases, it is crucial to note that transport planning begins with you. Therefore, you must begin by understanding the global marketplace and demands. Begin by determining your capacity against the demand levels. Also, understand the bottlenecks within your transport and production lines and find ways of managing them accordingly. Examine the requirements of the customer based on their location and other requirements. By acquiring insight into your specific area of control, you will be in a better position to manage and ensure that you are in a position to fulfill the needs of the client regardless of their location.