The modern role of IT in logistics and supply chain management

Although many people tend to associate SCM with IT supply logistics primarily, modern SCM systems optimize all production processes, like product creation, material handling, order fulfillment, information tracking, and efficient product delivery. SCM usually contains two subsystems: SCP (supply chain planning) and SCE (supply chain execution), whiсh explains its multifunctionality. We cannot fail to mention other significant steps regarding sales, such as market research and development, predicting analytics, product pricing, and reducing the risks of refusals. 

If you often face challenges during one of the stages mentioned above, it is the right time to think about integrating the system for business processes optimization. In this article, we are going to consider different types of software development and SCM operations. No less important, you will find practical recommendations on choosing a web product that meets your business needs. 

Does your company need big data supply chain analytics?

It is quite hard to believe it now, but in 2008 KFC was in an appalling crisis exactly because of the supply chain failure. The issue was so complicated that one of the fast-food giants even had to close down hundreds of the UK’s eateries. This setback lasted for about a week and was a cause of numerous customers’ concerns. Needless to say, it cost the enterprise a dramatic fall in clients’ loyalty and millions of pounds afterward.

Yet this experience can be perceived as a blessing in disguise that encouraged businesses to enhance their logistics and transport management by integrating IT solutions. And to take the SCM more seriously was definitely a powerful lesson worth learning. 

So, in a nutshell, data analytics SW development  is a necessity when it comes to:

• jewelry, precious metals, or even the mining industry. SCM verifies the quality, tracks the origin and products’ history, transparency of data, and expenditure. 
• fine art. The system records the data about all the transactions of pieces of art by utilizing special authentication tools. 
• food industry. In this case, the software monitors growing conditions, assisting in creating an appropriate growing environment. It also controls food-producing as well as the production chain.  
• the pharmaceutical industry. SCM allows enterprises to track all production stages, starting from making the medicine to packaging and controlling the movement as a deterrent to illegal activities. But no less important, you can control drugs’ quality via the platform.
• the tobacco industry. Data analytics and software development provides your company with information about the quality of products and creates worldwide sales networks. 

In addition, SCM brings invaluable benefits if you feel a crucial need in real-time transport management, analyzing supplies, enhancing the effectiveness and potential profitability. Depending on your business specifics, different categories of software helps to manage particular logistics processes. Let us dwell a bit on this:

• Demand Planning Software. This one is created to facilitate the gathering of inventory data and anticipate the direction and turning points of business development. The Demand Planning system is quite useful if the enterprise wants to reach its strategic goals quickly, enhance a new business area, or slightly сhange the vector of development.
• Distribution Software. Such an option allows start-up companies with broad targets to stimulate a competitive client-oriented approach by controlling orders, supply chain management, inventory data, and customer service. 
• Inventory Management Software. This type of big data analytics is often integrated by wholesalers and delivery companies, which need to track inventory movement between various locations continually.
• Other types of Software are indispensable for specific industries, specialized in shipping products, and those businesses seeking to develop their own transportation software.

No matter which category appeals to your company in this period, even a basic SCM should consist of 3 vital features: concurrency management, version control, and synchronization. 

Concurrency Management. Completing two and more tasks simultaneously is a regular part of the vast company working process, and concurrent operations have to be adequately managed. That’s a clear illustration of how SCM instruments prevent pressing issues.

Version Control. Thanks to archiving or saving options, the stakeholders are able to make changes without any fear of making mistakes. It is quite hard to imagine SCM software development in which you cannot move to the previous versions when you need it. This feature reduces stress and anxiety and allows workers to adjust data rapidly, depending on сhanging circumstances. 

Synchronization. And the last highlight lies in checking out various files and full copies of the database. The team members are aware of the corrections made by other colleagues, and they synchronize their documents expeditiously, so the workers get a chance to cooperate. Great time-saving, isn’t it?

Your next step is to find out more about the process of creating SCM. It feels like it is a perfect moment to start. 

How to create an effective SCM and logistics database software

Certainly, consistent planning, which starts from the first coding phase, is a crucial part of your success. It allows clients and developers to correct the actions, make changes and corrections, and evaluate each development stage’s progress. Here are the bullet points you should take into consideration while mapping out. 

• Decide on whether the system has to follow public or specific standards.
• Define instruments that fit your project the most. 
• Сhoose the configuration manager, who will have responsibility for the whole developing process as well as baselines estimating. 
• Regulate how program versions, files, and documents will be managed.
• Settle the type of naming docs.  
• Create a configuration management base to record configuration data promptly.

Another critical element of developing reliable supply chain logistics software is a solid team of professionals containing:

1. Configuration Manager and the head of the process, in other words. CM approves or rejects corrections and ensures the developers follow the plan.

2. Developers, who are charged with checking out the changes, creating and modifying the code. 

3. Auditors with the mission of maintaining the completeness of the project and its consistency.

4. Project managers, whose role is to facilitate all stakeholders and monitor that web-products are created, corrected, and tested within the set timeframes. PMs control and evaluate progress as well as assist developers in fixing shortcomings. 

Now you know how the dream team looks. And we are proud to introduce our skilled team, which works diligently during the entire development process.

Big data software created by PNN Soft

PNN Soft has been offering cutting-edge corporate solutions for 15+ years. We have developed more than 1000 efficient and stable web products for different industries, including SCM software. 

If you want to create a supply chain management application, you are in the right place. Just look through our portfolio!