Several companies make supply chain software in 2023. You can buy this software or rent it as SaaS. Either way, you’ll find it has many uses. Your company can make headway and start gaining brand recognition and client loyalty when you use it.
Why exactly do you need supply chain analytics software, though? We will answer that question right now.
What is Supply Chain Analytic Software?
Supply chain software helps companies track their products as they move from the creation phase to the warehousing phase. It continues tracking those products as they go through the shipping process and onto store shelves. At that point, the consumer purchases them, and your company makes the money it needs for continued viability.
Note the word “analytic” that appears in some supply chain software descriptions. Analytic software gives you many data-based ways you can scrutinize your business to see what’s working and what needs improvement.
When you use the data the software provides, there’s no guesswork. You’re seeing how your business functions. You can make any necessary changes and tighten things up.
This Software Now Uses AI
You should also understand that supply chain software now uses AI, or at least the more advanced versions do. Why does this matter? AI means artificial intelligence, and when you infuse these two concepts, you get a much more powerful tool your business can utilize for maximum profitability.
Supply chain software with AI suggests changes when it analyses your business model. Making your supply chain run smoother can potentially lift you several notches over your competitors. You can use the suggestions the AI makes, or you can ignore them.
AI sees your business in new ways. If you apply logic when you see the suggestions this software makes, you’ll often see that if you do what it suggests, you’ll save money and time. AI melding with this software changes the game for many companies.
A Company-Wide, End-to-End Operations View
If you own or run a company, you doubtless know how everything functions, but perhaps you’ve never looked at your supply chain and entire operation from end to end. If you look at one area, you might not see precisely how it fits in with something else. That’s just human nature: it’s hard seeing the big picture.
You can do that much easier with AI-infused supply chain software. It can point out redundancies you might eliminate. It can suggest optimization methods to help you in various areas, like raw material purchasing, factory floor operations, item storage, and shipping.
When you see what the software offers, it might surprise you that you’ve never noticed the areas where you can improve. That’s one of the key reasons why companies love this tool. It sees the whole picture and frees you from constraints you might never notice otherwise.
You Can Set and Meet New Revenue Targets
You should always have revenue milestones your business might reach. Maybe you have some aspirational ones, but hitting them becomes more likely with the right supply chain software.
Your workers can use the data the software gives them to better use their time. They might refine their daily schedules if the software tells them there’s a better way.
You can identify bottlenecks that might prevent you from hitting your target revenue amounts each week, month, quarter, and year. You can also reduce rework and lead times. You can optimize your inventory and free up your cash flow. You might use the cash you save to develop new products and services you can offer.
You Can Access the Software Anywhere
Usually, you can access the software suite tracking your supply chain from any location. Most of these software suites have apps you can download and use on your phone. You can also use them on a laptop, desktop, or tablet, whatever you prefer.
You can see whether a shipment got to its destination on time. If for some reason it didn’t, you can contact the customer at the endpoint and let them know why. You will increase client satisfaction that way.
This software should help your business in many ways, but you can’t know everything it will do till you look it over. When you check out different options, see how many five-star reviews it has, and ask the designer whether it will work in your niche. Most software suites can help with virtually any industry, but you should make sure before you implement it.