The logistics and supply chain industry has always had a step forward in technological implementation. Solutions like ERPs, WMS, Freight Management, etc have been a part of the industry for years.
With the addition of mobile applications, the logistics and supply chain industry can create a completely seamless synergy of communication. Here’s how mobile apps are being used, how they impact processes and productivity, and how you (as a logistics and supply chain company) can benefit from it.
Creates a Seamless Flow of Information
Logistics and supply chain companies involve a huge number of moving parts: products, machinery, carrier freights, and human personnel (being by far the largest). Each cog in this giant machine has valuable information that impacts every other cog and/or process.
Products and vehicles can be tracked using barcodes and GPS systems linked to an ERP. What mobile apps do is create a real-time information exchange platform for every human personnel involved in the process.
Within the warehouse ot organization this could be task and project information sharing between teams. On road it could be real-time updates from drivers to other drivers, to customers, or back to the company. Essentially, mobile apps are being developed and used to bridge any gap that might exist after solutions like ERPs and WMS systems are implemented.
Gives Businesses the Ability to Incorporate Innovative Features
Existing solutions, like ERPs and CMS platforms are incredible for the logistics and supply chain industry and provide a plethora of features. But businesses could still require certain features that are niche to their market or to their company. This requirement can be fulfilled by mobile applications.
For example, businesses that transport food products can use an ERP and WMS to track the quantity of products in stock, quantity shipped out, location of their freights, estimated delivery time, etc. But what if there was a solution that let customers subscribe to products and then an automation process that scheduled and dispatched products to them regularly? That would greatly improve efficiency. A company can achieve this by building a mobile app that users use, and the app can be built to interact with the MWS system.
Technologies like AI and ML have opened up huge opportunities in the mobile application world. logistics and supply chain companies can leverage these technological advancements by using them via a mobile app.
Improves CX While Reducing Customer Service Cost
By automating the order, dispatch and notification system, a company can streamline customer related processes. Everytime a product passes a checkpoint, an automated notification can be sent to the customer via the mobile app. This greatly improves CX, by reducing the need for the customer to enquire about the product’s location and date of delivery.
This also reduces overhead costs on the company because they can hire a lean service team and leave most tasks up to technology.
Final Word
The reason mobile apps are extremely useful for the logistics and supply chain industry is simply because everyone involved in the business, from management to teams, to warehouse workers to drivers to customers, own and use a smartphone. What better way to interconnect all these stakeholders than a mobile phone app?
If you are a logistics and supply chain company, you can most definitely improve processes and productivity via a mobile application. The only question is, what will the app do. That’s where we come in. Drop us a message and let’s get the conversation rolling.