Supply chain management software (SCM) has now become a pivotal part of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. This particular software helps companies manage their raw material and production cycles.
A well-built supply chain management software assists firms in buying and acquiring each items they need for their operational activities in a right way. It monitors company’s inventory and ensures strategic usage of all resources. Deployment of these softwares result in higher productivity, enhanced revenues, efficient business practices and transparency is each process.
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Benefits of Supply Chain Management Software
Enhanced Output– A well-designed supply chain management software focuses on improving coordination with dealers, transportation agencies and vendors. It also augments the communication and cooperation by keeping a two-way information flow to the entire distribution process. It helps in improving the overall efficiency with accurate results and builds a trust among the end users.
Greater Profit Margins– Affecting the operations in every positive manner ultimately results in greater profit margins. This is the reason why supply chain management softwares are employed to a huge extent. These softwares establish a stronger collaboration among vendors and other suppliers with end-to-end transparency.
Better Collaboration– As mentioned above, these softwares lead to better collaborations among potential resources to business. With a regulated inventory, you can keep a track of all the transactions, manage communications with your suppliers and vendors. In addition to that, you can also manage communications with the other departments of your business leading to its optimized execution.
Reduced Costs– The resultant effect of faster and better operations ultimately brings down the costs. It improves the inventory system by allocating raw material and eliminating damage resources in a better way. Above all, it helps you understand your customer’s requirement by maintaining transparent relations between vendors and distributors.
Faster Processing– Human errors and omissions such as delay in shipment from merchants, irregular production cycles and logistical issues which can hamper the growth of a supply chain company. With the help of supply chain management software, all the activities are streamlined to beget the best results on time.
Read More : Why does supply chain need blockchain?
Various Models of Supply Chain Management Software
- SaaS (Software-as-a-service) – Software-as-a-service lets you use the software on a cloud-based model, these models are provided and hosted by the software development companies. These services can be accessed through web browsers with the help of internet connection. These services are provided on monthly or annual subscription based on the level of storage and functionality required. The service provider is also responsible for support on maintenance and software updates.
- Custom Development – This simply means that you get own personalized software which serves the requirements of your company. For this, you need to contact a software development company that can develop a software the way you want. In terms of payment, this is a one-off deal, all the charges are paid to the development company when they hand you over the end-product. This particular model is more beneficial to the companies that want to ensure the confidentiality of data.
Supply Chain Management Software for Enterprise
The cutting-edge supply chain management softwares enable various other enterprises and industries to manage their efficiency and resources. These softwares establish transparency across the supply chain and businesses to quickly adapt the changes driven by market trends. Ultimately, these softwares help in maintaining customer satisfaction by providing on-time deliveries.
Food Manufacturers – It has become a necessity for the food and beverage manufacturers to adapt to a compact supply chain management software. Lacking a proper structure, manufacturers often run into the risk of food spoilage or contamination casting the reputation of the business at stake. Violation of food safety laws can even bring the food manufacturer behind bars and cause serious illness to the consumers.
Healthcare Industry – Healthcare industry potentially depends on supply chain, given the importance timely delivery and inventory management. With robust supply chain software, the transportation of medicines and surgical equipments can be done with precision. Therefore, the value of supply chain management software is precious to the healthcare sector.
E-commerce – Supply chain softwares also makes the operations of e-commerce platforms easy. E-commerce companies have to deal with numerous invoices and inventory management. With the help of supply chain software, they can manage their products and regulate the business in the most efficient manner.
Apart from these companies, there are other service providers and manufacturers who can boost their sales using these softwares. With more efficient management and deployment of resources, these softwares streamline the overall operations and also provide customized solutions to them.
Salient features of Supply Chain Management Software
Purchase Management – This feature helps in managing the history of purchases by accumulating the records and automation, resulting in less cost and better results.
Distribution Requirements Planning – This particular feature helps in determining the precise quantity in which the goods are required in order to meet the customers’ demand. It reduces the shortcomings in inventory and also lessens the cost of holding goods.
Advanced Material Management – This feature helps those business that have to generate electronic material requirement requests alongwith tracking deployment of inventory and work in progress.
Inventory Management – Extremely important to the warehouse managers who have to track and manage the inventory. It also helps them counteract the pervasive issues in inventory such as asset tracking, demand forecasting and re-ordering etc.
Warehouse Management – This particular feature helps the warehouse managers in the storage and transport of goods.
Shipping & Receiving – This helps in ameliorating the delivery of goods organizing and synchronizing various delivery transport channels.
Return Management – It helps managers in the inspection and management of defected goods, also in the processing of refunds and insurance claims.
Supplier Relation Management – This helps the enterprises in managing all the interactions with suppliers. It also analyzes the suppliers’ capabilities and helps determine whether a particular supplier can meet the organization’s vision and strategy.
Forecasting – It helps in estimating the customers’ demands in future and allows managers to ascertain the production cycle based on the flux of resources.
Third-party Integrations – This enhances the operational abilities by allowing the software to be integrated with any other software.
Asset Tracking – This feature lets the managers track the goods present in the warehouse. It comes with the software that helps you read barcodes, serial numbers, lot tracking numbers or radio frequency identification numbers.
Fleet Tracking & Management – This particular feature helps in managing large scale supplies and cargo. It keeps track of the entire fleet of goods and makes sure that it reaches its destination on time.
Demand Management – This one helps in meeting the customers’ requirements within the available goods. It calculates the value of goods alongwith demanded quantity and stock to provide the accurate results.
Price & Credit Control – This helps with wiser price fixation facility which renders the whole management of money and goods accordingly.
Sales Order & Invoicing – This involves execution of orders alongwith their delivery by managing voluminous invoices and keeping it flawless.
Inbuilt Chatting System – This feature maintains the communication among the employees of the company and establishes proper synchronization among them.
Sales Tax Management – This one helps in categorizing different goods based on their sales tax as, it helps in managing all their costs with the difference.
Fund Flow Management – This feature helps in comparing different balance sheets and recording the changes in every sheet that can be used later for tallying.
Assign User Rolls – This feature connects the users directly to the company. It is a section where users can view their profile and some additional information which is useful for them to accomplishing their tasks.
Report & Analytics – This feature is responsible for generating results for transactions, order history and inventory. The strategy for bringing better efficiency and productivity in all operations is done after the analysis of these reports.
Supply Chain Management Apps on Phone
Mobile apps are ubiquitous now, they provide access to services almost everywhere. Just like most of the enterprises, supply chain companies are also introducing their apps on phone they can be more accessible to their customers. Particularly for supply chain app users, it becomes very easy to monitor the live status of their delivery alongwith precise charges including duties and taxes.
There are few aspects that need to be considered before developing a supply chain management software app:
- Planning – As it goes for every other software, a theoretical draft or blueprint is prepared explaining the functionality of the app.
- Research & Analysis – Without research it is not possible to gauge the possibilities for the business to bloom as well as understanding the competitors and target audience.
- Design – A wireframe presentation is created and presented demonstrating the functionality of the app.
- Development – The next phase where app is developed with all the coding and programming executions.
- Testing – Upon development, the app goes through several tests unless it is sure that it is ready to be used.
- Maintenance – One the app is deployed, timely maintenance is required for it to functional in a flawless and efficient manner.
Team required for development of Supply Chain Management Software
For making full-fledged supply chain software, you need to hire experts who must have a proper structure of team.
Project Manager – An experienced and skilled project manager must lead the whole team so they could deliver the project on time without any flaws.
Developers – In an ideal situation, there should be a whole team of developers who could work on the following:
- Android/IOS
- Web Development
- Front-end Development
- Back-end Development
Designers – You must have designer or designers who could handle graphic designing and UI/UX designing.
Testers – Following the pattern of development, a panel of expert testers must be there to gauge the app from different viewpoints.
How much does it cost?
The cost involved in the development of supply chain software largely depends on the level of functionality inbuilt into it. For a larger enterprise having several departments, it is recommended to invest in a complete ERP solution integrated with supply chain management module. The final cost of the product also depends on the following factors:
- Total Users
- Hourly rates for development
- Infrastructure
- Support and maintenance
Technoloader is a blockchain development company which develops blockchains for supply chain companies with all the functionalities they require. Blockchain is a technology which can revolutionize every industry with decentralized ledger. Our team has empowered many supply chain enterprises with blockchain who have realized the difference in operations. We aim for achieving the best and provide exceptional services across the globe.
