Businesses large and small depend on digital information transfer to facilitate commercial transactions all along the supply chain – from handling inquiries to placing orders to electronic payment and shipping. The internet has become an enabler of commercial global enterprise – organizations can now move information faster than products because doing so can give them a competitive edge.
How Technology Makes Supply Chains More Efficient
Making the most of the latest technology can mean improvements to the flow of information at all stages of the supply chain. Technology also allows for the collection of information that was previously unusable. And incorporating more data into decision-making can improve operating efficiencies and improve data management.
So, what’s holding us back?
One of the main challenges for importers and exporters is collecting the information they need from the various stakeholders along a global supply chain in a way that works. Because often, even when the data is collected successfully, it can’t be used effectively.
Different types of information coming from different stakeholders using different software can cause glitches in the flow of data if all that information isn’t easily understood across different users and platforms.
Think of the various points at which information is generated in an international commercial transaction:
- It may begin with an electronic purchase order between a buyer and seller.
- The seller will generate data using their own information system (possibly in a different language than the buyer uses) to produce order documents and shipping and customs documents.
- Once the order is complete, it may be shipped using a freight forwarder who also issues shipping documents such as a bills of lading, shipping manifests and insurance documents – which may or may not be in a language and format compatible with the original documents.
Does your supply chain need greater consistency? We can help!
What’s needed is a method of converting these various formats into consistently usable digital data so that users on different systems can receive, manipulate and forward information seamlessly to multiple stakeholders.
Our
freight forwarding team has just that ability. We are familiar with the systems and data formats used by most major import/export and shipping companies along the
supply chain, and our professionals can help make sure the various stakeholders in your supply chain can talk to one another so your products get where they need to go with the least amount of hassle to you.
Find out how we can embrace the technology available to help make your supply chain run efficiently. For detailed information, contact your
Logistics Coordinator. For more general information,
contact us today to discuss your shipping needs.
Information provided by: Supply Chain Consultant - Cole International