COVID-19 has forever changed how we source, manufacture, transport, and distribute products. Employee safety and risk mitigation are primary drivers, while supply chain stakeholders are redesigning operations for better responsiveness and resilience. Digital transformation and supply chain virtualization was important before the pandemic, but that’s being exacerbated by the virus. COVID-19 is forcing suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers, retailers, and distributors to adapt and optimize even faster.
As supply chain partners are being forced to do more with less, technology has an ever-increasing role to play. Those organizations willing to invest in virtual supply chain technology can expect:
- Greater visibility throughout the supply chain, including production monitoring, quality control, and assessment.
- Earlier identification of sourcing, manufacturing, or transportation risks and issues.
- Better supply chain agility and resilience for enhanced contingency planning.
- Stronger collaboration and communication between stakeholders.
Virtual supply chain technology doesn’t just help you to keep your employees safe and manage pandemic-related risks—your business can also:
- Reduce supply chain costs by minimizing delays, understanding expenses, and enhancing quality.
- Increase productivity in the supply chain by monitoring the end-to-end process, streamlining tasks, and getting deep operational insights.
- Maximize efficiency in the supply chain by eliminating waste, centralizing communications, and allowing for greater control.
