Over the last decade, we’ve seen drastic improvements to the supply chain through digitization. Cloud-based data, artificial intelligence, and real-time automation now rule the day, providing operators new tools to make their supply chain more agile and resistant to unexpected changes. robust predictive analytics to optimize logistics. Hardware like IoT sensors offer real-time monitoring for equipment and vehicles. And yet, we still consume freight forward data like we’re in the dark ages, manually entering information into spreadsheets that are likely out-of-date by the time it’s sent to the customer.
Utilizing available technologies to enhance supply chain efficiency is now becoming a must-have. Gartner predicts by 2023, at least 50% of large global companies will use AI and IoT within their supply chain operations to drive intelligence and reduce costly mistakes. Integration of freight forward data into supply chain digitization efforts is the next logical step in maximizing efficiency and ensuring goods are delivered on time, every time.
Excel without Excel
Whether you’re an emerging or small business or an enterprise-level organization your supply chain has one goal – to fill demand and deliver goods in a timely manner. To accomplish this, supply chain managers work with a number of suppliers, vendors, and third-party logistics companies to make it all happen. With all the spreadsheets that are involved just to stay organized on who to contact and when, it’s another task to keep everything up to date, and that’s where Anvyl, the supply chain relationship management (SCRM) platform comes in.
In addition to tracking production, knowing where goods are at all times can be achieved with a logistics integration between your SCRM and freight forwarding company. The responsibility of tracking shipments and coordinating the movement of cargo to each end destination is now easier with cloud-based SCRM software. Digitizing your freight forward data into your supply chain allows you to streamline collaboration and visibility across your supplier, 3rd party vendors, and internal collaborators in real-time, ensuring maximum productivity and better operational results.
Supply Chain Insights for All
In order to make decisions within the supply chain, it’s crucial that all parties have access to the most up-to-date information regarding production and shipping milestones. Integrating freight forwarding data with your SCRM accomplishes just that – buyer, seller, and shippers can all track where goods are and receive updates any time something changes.
While the delivery date matters most, supply chain managers must still determine how to transport goods to a particular destination. By pairing real-time digitized freight forward data with active orders and production milestones, you now have full end-to-end visibility into any shipment changes you may need to make. For example, if there’s a delay in production, you can intelligently decide to book a shipment by air instead of boat to ensure delivery dates are met. The data is then automatically updated in your SCRM, eliminating the need for back and forth update emails and last-minute calls to your freight forwarder to check on the status of a shipment. A robust SCRM platform provides a comprehensive view of each order with its shipments, available to everyone involved.
Work Smarter and Faster
While supporting a critical role in your supply chain, your freight forwarder needs to work for you in a way that optimizes your supply chain, not bogs it down. The most common culprit for supply chain slowdown is lack of information flow – creating a data bottleneck that prevents real-time decision making. By integrating freight forwarding data into your supply chain digitization efforts, you add one more tool to your efficiency toolbox while eliminating what can be a cumbersome hurdle for your supply chain.
Learn how Anvyl can help improve supply chain efficiency through freight forward integration.
