5 Technologies to Make Your Supply Chain More Efficient
If you are a supply chain manager, you should be aware of the latest innovations and technologies that are changing the world. Blockchain technology, IoT, robotics, 3D printing, and other technologies are reshaping supply chains, and they are already having a positive impact on the industry. Read on to learn more about how these emerging technologies can help you improve your supply chain operations.
Blockchain technology
If you are looking for new ways to increase the resiliency of your supply chain, you might want to look into Blockchain technology. This new technology enables you to trace the origin of products back to their raw materials. With its decentralized structure, blockchain transactions cannot be tampered with. The decentralized ledgers are secured by cryptography, so anyone can’t take control of them.
Blockchain allows supply chain partners to share trusted data. It also helps to reduce disputes and ensure product authenticity. In a world where consumers are increasingly demanding for brands to source responsibly, it is essential to have greater visibility into the supply chain. Using Blockchain technology can help supply chain leaders address these demands while reducing cost and maximizing efficiency.
IoT
By integrating IoT technologies, manufacturers can increase the efficiency and safety of their supply chains. For example, IoT devices in fleet management can monitor a machine’s condition and trigger preventive maintenance. Similarly, IoT-enabled cameras can identify faulty products and reject them. Manufacturers can also use IoT-enabled cameras to monitor the quality of their raw materials, such as chemicals, and trigger alarms if they become exposed to high temperatures. This approach allows manufacturers to take advantage of “just-in-time” manufacturing.
IoT devices can provide real-time visibility across warehouses, production and distribution centers. They can also improve record-keeping and predictive maintenance. Fleet inventory management can also be improved using IoT devices.
Robotics
Adding robotics to your supply chain can improve your company’s efficiency and accuracy. However, many companies haven’t yet made the transition. Supply chains face a range of challenges, from rising customer expectations to labor shortages and transportation problems. Many of these problems are hidden in the midst of mundane, repetitive tasks, and introducing robotics can help address them.
The robotics market is expected to grow over the next decade, making it a promising opportunity for buyers and providers. This growing market is driven by buyers’ growing need and desire for automation. Automation also allows for greater flexibility, scalability, and lower risks.
Self-driving trucks
Self-driving trucks can make your shipping and logistics process more efficient and environmentally friendly. While the technology is still in its infancy, the benefits can be immediate and significant. The development of these vehicles will help to eliminate a number of common problems and create new jobs in transportation and supporting industries. For example, autonomous trucks can be used to stock supermarkets and distribute fuel, medicine, and factory parts and supplies. The technology will help to create a more sustainable supply chain and a healthier job market.
The technology is also a boon to highway safety. The development of self-driving trucks could help decrease the environmental impact of trucking, as well as the risk of crashes. While many current technologies are labeled as autonomous, they don’t have the full autonomy of Level 4 trucks. Ultimately, a Level 4 autonomous truck would enable human drivers to take a break, allowing the truck to drive itself.
Though technology and automation have been involved in the supply chain for quite some time, what once seemed impossible is now becoming part of a new reality, from self-driving trucks to artificial intelligence (AI). By using a combination of technologies like AI,