A lot goes into getting cargo across the finish line, and many organizations aren’t completing the process efficiently. It can be easy to fall back on doing things “the way they’ve always been done” instead of striving for innovation and improved processes.
To help determine whether your organization’s supply chain is running at its optimum level, ask these questions:
- Is the cargo getting to where it needs to be at the right time?
- Is it getting there at the lowest possible cost?
- How efficiently is your organization using resources to produce the cargo and get it delivered?
The answers to all of those are key to determining if a supply chain is efficient or not. These insights can shed light on whether your organization is reducing wasted materials, manpower or time.
Still, knowing if a supply chain is fully optimized is only half of the battle. Figuring out the next steps can be a challenge, which is why we’ve written up some must-try methods supply chain managers can use to increase their efficiency.
Choose Reliable Suppliers
An efficient supply chain begins at the source. It is crucial to collaborate with trustworthy and reliable suppliers who have a proven track record of consistently delivering goods on time. Take the time to thoroughly vet the companies your organization is working with to ensure their commitment to on-time deliveries. Additionally, it is important to partner with suppliers who have a robust and reliable communication system in place to facilitate smooth and seamless collaboration throughout the supply chain process. Prioritizing these aspects can help build a strong foundation for a successful and resilient supply chain.
Optimize Inventory
Ensuring your organization has what it needs when it needs it is a major part of improving supply chain efficiency. There are several ways to make sure there’s always enough supplies on hand at any given point in time. Here are some tips for inventory optimization:
- Use demand forecasting to determine fluctuations in demand
- Automate supply chain processes to cut back on wasted time
- Deploy real-time inventory analytics to track potential inventory issues before they arise
- Maintain ample supply chain visibility to ensure your organization knows what’s arriving where and when
The expert team at TOC Logistics is ready to help you optimize your organization’s inventory supply chain. We work with over 1,000 suppliers around the world, and we handle all the details, from supplier management, route and mode optimization to carrier procurement, contracting, and more. Our services can help track and optimize your organization’s inventory every step of the way.
Prepare for Delays
Another way to increase your company’s supply chain efficiency is by improving how you distribute your cargo. After all, supply chain managers are always looking for ways to streamline and ensure that any unexpected disturbances don’t prevent shipments from reaching their destinations.
When delays do happen, TOC Logistics can help manage your organization’s time-critical shipments and mitigate the associated unexpected expenses. Our dedicated team is a reliable resource to rely on when shipments need to arrive quickly. Plus, when it comes to your organization’s supply chain as a whole, we analyze shipping data and provide an impartial perspective to help save money and prevent future unforeseen expenses.
Monitor Systems
A supply chain is only as strong as its weakest link. That’s why it’s so important for supply chain managers to keep a careful eye on their processes. Take the time to analyze any emerging patterns or issues, such as late shipments, unfulfilled orders, product discrepancies, or inconsistent quality. Find the cause of those problems and then determine what your organization needs to do to fix them. That could include changing vendors, exploring new shipping services or employing a third-party logistics supplier to help optimize your processes.
If you aren’t certain where to start, our team is happy to help. We’ll analyze your organization’s current supply chain and develop recommendations. Then we collaborate with your team to help implement the tactics that will help achieve your organization’s goals. Reach out today to get started.