Effectively managing your logistics and supply chain can transform the success of your business. Without these critical components, the entire process can easily fall apart, leaving you with reduced profits and major problems. There are several simple and cost-effective ways to improve your supply chain management and gain better control of your logistics. These won’t involve any daunting process overhauls, but will focus more on the small changes that will turn you in the right direction.

Supply Chain Management

1. Get a quality logistics company on board. For many businesses, it makes sense to involve experts in the supply chain and logistics process to ensure that everything is always running smoothly. If you connect with a 3pl service such as Silk Contract Logistics, you will be able to use their network to meet your business’ supply chain needs. They can support you through transportation, importation, warehouse storage and data access to always cover the logistics of your business. Connecting with such companies is probably the easiest and most effective way to transform your business supply chain management. 2.

2. Switch to software. If you’re still using boring and time-consuming spreadsheets to manage your supply chain, there are new technology solutions that can make your life easier and your business more successful. Invest in supply chain and logistics software and implement it throughout your building. It may take a day or two of training for your staff to get used to the software, but it will save you a lot of time in the long run.

3. Automate your orders. If you find yourself constantly needing to order new stock items after monitoring your inventory, you may be wasting your time. Use software that sets up an automated system to assess your inventory levels and automatically order low stock.

4. View data. This is another area where you can offer professional logistics services. You won’t know where the glitches are in your supply chain system until you have clear data that you can use to analyze your processes. If you use a logistics provider, they will be able to provide and evaluate this data for you to help streamline the process. There are also software tools available for reporting purchase, inventory and shipment data so you can effectively monitor your business. 5.

5. Keep communication open at all times. Errors in the supply chain often occur due to a lack of effective communication between all parties. Make sure the lines of communication are always open, keep your suppliers informed of your ongoing operations and future plans, and ensure that all members of the supply chain are connected and understand how the process works. Try to maintain flexibility with your supply chain partners and treat them as colleagues in your business.

6. Establish a back-up supply system. Unless your business is very small, it is usually unwise to rely on just one supplier to meet your needs. Inventory management is key, and if a supplier lets you down for one reason or another, it’s critical to have a backup plan in place. Develop a larger network of suppliers and partners so that your business always has everything it needs.