Modern supply chains face an ever-evolving landscape of challenges. With predictions from KPMG indicating continued disruptions, it’s clear that today’s businesses need more than just traditional supply chain management tactics. To ride the storm, agility, resilience, and the ability to adapt rapidly are non-negotiables. Enter hyperautomation.
Why Traditional Supply Chain Systems Fall Short
Gone are the days when manual processes, fragmented systems, and isolated data would suffice. These legacy practices limit visibility, curb responsiveness, and inhibit a company’s ability to compete effectively in a dynamic market. That is why nearly half of all businesses (45.1%) recognize the indispensable role of automation in supply chain management. Hyper automation is the game changer for supply chains since it adds value across the spectrum:
1.Improved Customer Experience
The benefits of hyper automation translate into happier customers through:
- Faster delivery from accurate demand forecasting
- Real-time shipping status through improved visibility
- Chatbots handling customer service queries and conversations
2. Increased Productivity Through Back-Office Automation
Back-office tasks are time-consuming and error-prone when done manually. Automating these complex tasks requires combining RPA, AI, process mining, and OCR. This enables automating processes like:
- Document processing using AI to extract and enter data
- Inventory management with bots monitoring and reordering items
- Customer service with bots tracking shipping and answering questions
3. Increased Visibility Across the Supply Chain
Hyperautomation improves visibility through:
- IoT devices providing real-time product tracking data
- A digital twin collecting real-time data to identify bottlenecks and optimize inventory
- Integrated systems enable suppliers to share information automatically
This visibility gives control over inventory, mitigates uncertainty risks, and ensures customer satisfaction.
4. More Accurate Forecasting
AI and ML models fed real-time IoT and digital twin data can improve demand changes, prices, and machine failure predictions. Bots can monitor models and alert staff to act on predictions to optimize:
- Inventory levels
- Budget planning
- Maintenance
- Market expansion
5. Increased Sustainability
Better visibility and forecasting enable improving supply chain sustainability by:
- Reducing waste through optimal inventory
- Cutting emissions via optimized logistics routes
- Tracking behaviours via sensors to identify optimizations
This is crucial as consumers increasingly factor sustainability into purchasing decisions.
There are numerous opportunities to bring hyper automation to your supply chain. Automate every task that bots can handle so humans can focus on high-value improvements. Use a combination of the following technologies:
- Artificial intelligence
- Machine learning
- Event-driven architecture
- Robotic process automation
- Intelligent business process management
- Integration platform as a service
- Low-code/no-code platforms
- Off-the-shelf automation solutions
Zvolv: Transforming Supply Chains Through Hyper automation
When products departed the OEM’s premises, the journey became a maze of challenges involving contractors, distributors, and resellers. Ensuring traceability, providing prompt technical support, and streamlining the warranty process posed significant hurdles.
Zvolv took charge, crafting an integrated solution to these challenges:
1. Mobile App Revolution: Zvolv delivers user-friendly mobile application, offering dealers, distributors, and end-users a platform for real-time communication and collaboration. With QR scanning, equipment identification became a breeze. Geotagging ensured precise location validation. And if any issues cropped up? Reporting them became simpler than ever.
2. Dashboard Mastery: Gone were the days of manual checks and guesswork. With Zvolv’s dashboard, regional leaders now had real-time visibility. Whether checking unit statuses, gauging the efficiency of tech support, or spotting bottlenecks, the dashboard became an indispensable tool for decision-makers.
3. Web Portal Excellence: Zvolv didn’t stop at mobile. They realized the back-office and technical teams needed a dedicated space. Enter Zvolv’s web portal – a hub ensuring timely responses, streamlining repair/replacement approvals, and enabling meticulous efficiency tracking.
And the outcomes? They spoke for themselves. The time taken to resolve critical technical issues plummeted by a staggering 50%. Installation reporting was condensed from a daunting 200+ days to a mere five. QR and geotagging functionalities meant any deviations in the supply chain were instantly flagged, ensuring smooth sailing.
Hyperautomation – The Present and Future
In conclusion, hyperautomation is not just another buzzword—it’s a paradigm shift. It provides that proactive edge. The OEM case study mentioned above is a testament to the unparalleled potential of this approach in addressing and overcoming supply chain challenges.
As we sail forward, hyperautomation stands tall as the lighthouse, guiding businesses to safer, more efficient shores. And Zvolv stands ready to guide your journey.
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