ROBOTIC PROCESS AUTOMATION IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
How does RPA (Robotic Process Automation) help a business entity? It enables organizations to deploy smart software bots that automate standard operational processes within the business. In other words, it helps make supply chains lean and efficient.
RPA IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
RPA is transforming supply chains and logistics as the industry is driven by speed and precision. It drives efficiency and faster deliveries by automating critical yet repetitive processes.
SUPPLY AND DEMAND PLANNING
The ability of managers and analysts to forecast inventory needs determines the efficiency of a supply chain. Supply and demand planning involves the examination of complex records and data sets. Historical sales data, market indicators, custom orders, etc. have to be ingested and tracked down from internal teams vendors, and customers.
RPA, through automation, provides a more efficient way to gather and analyze this data. Using lesser time and resources, RPA enables managers to develop accurate forecasts efficiently.
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT & ORDERING
Purchase orders require raising, responding to, and processing. This is a significant administrative overhead for not only manufacturers but retailers, and suppliers as well. With RPA, purchase orders can be made to run through automated criteria like quantity, pricing, or regularity of purchase. An approval gets sent through when it matches optimization criteria. This, in turn, enhances customer relationships and increases the efficacy of purchase order management.
SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT & PROCREMENT
Inventory is the backbone of supply chains. It is essential to manage inventory in a manner that optimal volumes are ensured. RPA can continuously monitor inventory and can send notifications when inventory levels are low. It can also order new shipments when required. Not only that, but it also helps with tracking inventory as it flows through the warehouse.
TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS
Transportation and logistics management is driven by time-critical and manual tasks. RPA saves time and reduces errors. Bots provide a 24/7 efficient and scalable workflow for various aspects of freight management like route optimization, freight accounting, and freight claim management.
BENEFITS OF RPA
- Reduction in administrative overheads resulting in lower staffing costs
- Faster adaptation of stakeholders to demand and scale up operations
- Shifting of staff to value-added activities
- Faster stock delivery
- Elimination of duplication and human error
- Enhances ERP utilities
RPA is the key to the success for supply chain management. The most cost-effective way for supply chain and logistics organizations to optimize their operations, while simultaneously cutting costs, is undoubtedly RPA.
If you are looking at implementing RPA for your logistics and supply chain operations, Data Direct would be glad to assist. Email us at info@datadirect.ae or call +971 4 274 3000
