Supply Chain Technology 2 E-Supply Chain Management A new generation of supply chain management through technology has made increased attention in the mode of supply chain management for many organizations. It is very vital for manufacturing firms who are heavily dependent on their supply chain partners to distribute their products. Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, suppliers and shippers are the major players in the supply chain of both processing and manufacturing firms, which ends with a given product reaching the final consumer. with the increased attention given to the modes of technology used. The dynamic requirements of consumers, the need to fully integrate technology in the management process of the supply chain process has become more critical (Ross 2016). Technology has improved visibility and accountability in the supply chain management. In order to ensure proper governance in the supply chain process, firms need to employ modern technological innovations. below are some of the technologies that have been adopted in the supply chain management recently. Robotics Autonomous robots are becoming popular in supply chain management. They have been programmed to require minimal human intervention or interaction during their functionality. Their use in the supply chain setup is expected to grow in the next five tears majorly in the supply chain operations that include use in high-risk activities and lower the overall costs of services. They already have a strong presence in the manufacturing sector, assembly plants and warehouse management. In most of the fulfillment processes in the warehouses, robots are particularly required. Fulfillment processes demand high levels of human involvement and a tremendous amount of movement is needed throughout the facility. Some of the organizations have already started using robots in carrying some of the processes in their facilities; an example is the Amazon. The organizations already using robots in their operations have experienced a reduction in the operation costs, improved productivity, ability to scale up and down in relation to demand levels, efficiency gains and improved customer service levels. changes
Supply Chain Technology 3 most of the activities in the supply chain management process are monotonous. Inventory movement from one point of the warehouse to another, for example, is dull but very tedious. Some of the warehouses have put this into consideration and introduced automated means, which includes the use of robots, which has led to a reduction in the human labour cost while reducing the number of mistakes committed and improving processes efficiency. In the recent past, robots have enabled firms to reduce the size of their infrastructure through a robot’s utilization carrying most of the supply chain processes. The use of LocusBots has facilitated this process when they have been used hand in hand with the human component of the processes delivering high e-commerce processes efficiently (Holmström, Holweg, Lawson, Pil, & Wagner, 2019). LocusBots have ensured automatic detection of varied employees’ language, adapting to their environment instantly as they work with different employees speeding up the workflow and reducing the chances of errors. The scanners fitted in them ensure 100% accuracy in the operations. change implementation while the robot’s introduction comes with significant benefits to the organization, their introduction exposes an organization to a variety of processes design and management problems. The introduction of robots in the organization can be managed just like any other changes being introduced. Implementation for accommodating the new changes that the organization will be presented with. The organization needs to ensure three levels of change transformation have been broken down for the proper implementation process. The three levels include; organizational change, personal change and transformation management. The particular change will manage the most fundamental impact the introduction of robots will have on employees. The organization
Supply Chain Technology 4 will address the effect the robotic introductions will have on the specific teams or departments within the organization (Basheer, Siam, Awn, & Hassan, 2019). This will help in moving the workforce in these departments towards embracing the new additions. Transformational management will require an organization-wide recognition of the introduction of robots in the supply chain management processes. Big Data Analysis functions Big data analysis has significantly improved supply chain management processes. It has been used to effectively manage critical operations points, which include operational, strategic and supply chain tactical levels. It has collectively made an impact on the supply chain processes. Big data analysis has improved inventory delivery time by suggesting and identifying various ways of reducing the existing communication gap between supply chain players. Decision- makers use the analytics reports to achieve overall operational efficiency and ensure constant monitoring of supply chain performances to improve productivity (Saberi, Kouhizadeh, Sarkis, & Shen, 2019). The supply chain management data analytics augment data-driven decisions that are crucial in cost reduction and improve the overall service delivery levels. Changes in the Supply Chain big data analysis has enhanced inventory management majorly for firms having sizeable inventory levels and online stores. the use of big data has enabled supply chain managers to have a minute by minute look of various operations, and possible bottlenecks are identified, which could slow down the supply chain process. besides, it provides the prevailing consumer trends, which are important in enabling businesses to optimize inventory.
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Supply Chain Technology 5 big data analysis has also improved inventory traceability in the supply chain process. in supply chain operations, inventory traceability is critical to its success. the introduction of big data analysis technology helps managers to obtain accurate information relating to the products, which helps the operators to remain on top of their operating cycle. implementation of big data analysis implementation of big data analytics in an organization is very crucial to ensure the desired impacts are received. since the method is still new in the market, its impact is changing on a daily basis. in order to properly address the organizational changes that are associated with the implementation of Big Data Analytics, it is important to use an agile and iterative strategy of implementation. normally, the big data program starts with using a specific case in the organization. over the implementation period, it is apparent that organizational needs are dynamic and constantly change as the organization discovers a new set of information that is useful in harnessing the overall performance of the organization. the use of an agile and iterative implementation approach will ensure a quick solution is provided based on the current needs of the firm. the strategies will also ensure effective management of possible changes the implementation will have on the individual employees, groups and departments in the organization as well as the comprehensive changes that will be realized in the organization. RFID for Data Capture and Identification functions The introduction of RFID for data capture and identification in the last decade has resulted in a major shift in the overall performances of the supply chain management processes. RFID has led to timely efficiency improvement as well as eliminate the possible human errors from occurring
Supply Chain Technology 6 in the supply chain management process (Li, Li, Choi, & Sethi, 2019). It has created an autonomous distribution center and the warehouses within the supply chain processes. Currently, most large warehouses have automated their processes, which has ensured processes position accuracy, visibility and transparency. RFID has been used to ensure that the right inventory in the right quantity is being collected on both ends. Thus, this has been crucial in eliminating instances of errors which are rampant in the traditional analog process management. changes as a result of RFID the warehouse forms an integral part of the supply chain process. because it is the buffer to reduce the chances of variability in the supply chain process while serving the customers promptly during peak times. employment of the use of RFID has helped in getting rid of barcode scanning before the products are stored, packed and shipped. this has made the overall process of managing inventory handling easy and simpler. as a result, the manufacturers and suppliers can improve the visibility and manage the inventory levels, reduce the cost of labour and safety stock (Nakasumi 2017, July). RFID also helps the firms to tighten their operations. data is very crucial to the supply chain process, and RFID plays a major role in helping capture data in real-time, which can create a difference between averting a disaster and a boatload of damaged goods. implementation of RFID managing and implementing technological advancements in the organization is always a technical function of developers and new system implementers. introduction of RFID in an organization may lead to numerous changes and may face numerous hurdles during the implementation process. to effectively implement the RFID for data capture and identification should take the form of new technology marketing within the organization. adoption of the
Supply Chain Technology 7 marketing approach gives the supply chain managers to explore the opinions of all stakeholders affected by the system (Ben-Daya, Hassini, & Bahroun, 2019). This helps in the identification of enhanced fit between the system and the need of the users, prepare various parties in the organization to receive the new technology addition and encourage innovation among the system users. this is particularly important in managing the possible changes that will be experienced in the organization. Drones for Logistics and Monitoring Functions Drones are capable of transporting goods by air, making the inventory in the warehouse and be involved in security tasks through monitoring. in the supply chain management, drones have been used in performing numerous functions. some of the functions include conducting urgent orders that require fast deliveries while reaching areas that are hard to access using other means of transport (Han, Wang, & Naim, 2017). Drones are also important in monitoring and control the levels of inventory and tracking its movement within the warehouse. Changes due to Drones drones are reshaping the supply chain management field massively. they have been able to shrink the inventory delivery time and reduce the delivery cost. in the supply chain management operations, inventory delivery time is always crucial; drones have revolutionized the whole processes making deliveries that could take days to be completed in a minute (Apte, & Petrovsky, 2016). Also, drones have challenged the overall supply chain processes and industry regulations. supply chain procedures require adaptation to include the technological
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Supply Chain Technology 8 advancements in drone technology. this will cover geographical location, delivery speed and inventory weight restrictions. implementation processes for drones adoption and implementation of drones to the supply chain management face a wide range of barriers and drivers of adoption. these hurdles include organizational change, safety, privacy, security and technological maturity levels of the firm, and also operational drivers such as the current levels of operational efficiencies as compared to the alternative approaches. in order to ensure effective implementation and adoption of the drones, it is important to conduct a thorough inspection of the requirement of the firm and the possible impact the drones will have in the organization. inspection is more viable due to its viability in inspecting critical infrastructure that will be affected by the use of the drones.
Supply Chain Technology 9 References Apte, S., & Petrovsky, N. (2016). Will blockchain technology revolutionize excipient supply chain management?. Journal of Excipients and Food Chemicals, 7(3), 910. Basheer, M., Siam, M., Awn, A., & Hassan, S. (2019). Exploring the role of TQM and supply chain practices for firm supply performance in the presence of information technology capabilities and supply chain technology adoption: A case of textile firms in Pakistan. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 7(2), 275-288. Ben-Daya, M., Hassini, E., & Bahroun, Z. (2019). Internet of things and supply chain management: a literature review. International Journal of Production Research, 57(15- 16), 4719-4742. Falcone, E., Kent, J., & Fugate, B. (2019). Supply chain technologies, interorganizational network and firm performance. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management. Han, J. H., Wang, Y., & Naim, M. (2017). Reconceptualization of information technology flexibility for supply chain management: An empirical study. International Journal of Production Economics, 187, 196-215. Holmström, J., Holweg, M., Lawson, B., Pil, F. K., & Wagner, S. M. (2019). The digitalization of operations and supply chain management: Theoretical and methodological implications. Journal of Operations Management, 65(8), 728-734.
Supply Chain Technology 10 Li, G., Li, L., Choi, T. M., & Sethi, S. P. (2019). Green supply chain management in Chinese firms: Innovative measures and the moderating role of quick response technology. Journal of Operations Management. Nakasumi, M. (2017, July). Information sharing for supply chain management based on block chain technology. In 2017 IEEE 19th Conference on Business Informatics (CBI) (Vol. 1, pp. 140-149). IEEE. Ross, D. F. (2016). Introduction to e-supply chain management: engaging technology to build market-winning business partnerships. CRC Press. Saberi, S., Kouhizadeh, M., Sarkis, J., & Shen, L. (2019). Blockchain technology and its relationships to sustainable supply chain management. International Journal of Production Research, 57(7), 2117-2135.