How Automation Improves Supply Chain Efficiency

Efficiency is the name of the game in today’s logistics landscape. Whether it’s finding ways of reducing waste or coming up with creative ways of improving your supply chain functions, businesses who ship or receive anything strive to streamline their business operations. Business process automation (BPA) is a process that aims to drive efficiency, provide transparency and facilitate compliance for repeatable processes.

Businesses from manufacturers to distribution hubs have gone above and beyond to integrate technological solutions into their daily operations. One of the most popular is finding ways to infuse automation into their daily business processes such as payroll, accounts payable, and more. There are multiple ways that business process automation can improve their daily operational, reduce mistakes, or integrate paperless reporting.

In the information posted below, let’s review a few of the ways that business process automation helps to improve the efficiency of supply chain functions.

Business Automation Reduces Errors

Contrary to popular belief, many of the errors that exist in the supply chain can be completely avoided. Whether it’s improving on-time delivery or reducing missed delivery attempts, automation in the supply chain can significantly impact the potential of errors. Business automation in the supply chain gives you the flexibility of integrating automated inventory control systems, fuel surcharge updates, contract negotiations can be updated to the TMS or other operating-system functions. Updating frequently helps reduce clerical errors, billing problems, or invoice related overcharges.

Improves the Flexibility of Scalability

The integration of automation also helps shippers grow their processes on a scalable basis. Most automated platforms focus on the end-user experience. They are designed to be user friendly, but can also be tailored to each individual user. This is the prime example of being scalable. Business automation puts the power of growth in the palm of user’s hands. For those looking to expand their automated shipping notifications for customers, or increase their freight routing capability, automation gives them the flexibility to grow at a pace that is comfortable, convenient and affordable.

Gives Shippers Real-Time Freight Rates

Imagine having the ability to remove the guesswork from freight movement estimation. Business process automation makes this a reality for those operations within the supply chain. Logistics automation makes it easier for shippers to activate policies that not only help them produce freight savings but also gives them up to the minute estimations on LTL, FTL, even parcel shipping rates. This type of automation permits them to make important decisions regarding the transit rates, times, and determine what insurance is needed to protect their valuable commodities. Additionally, shippers can relay this data to their sales departments. By doing so, they provide customers with more accurate freight cost and delivery estimation.

Improvement in Customer Service

Today’s customers demand instant gratification. Whether it’s receiving push notifications to real-time delivery updates, automation vastly improves the customer experience. In fact, business process automation can make the difference between a positive and negative shopping experience. Even many automated software platforms provide automated updates via the communication platform of the customers' liking.

Whether they want SMS notification, email updates or even desktop alerts, logistics automation helps streamline the process. 

Final Thoughts

Chicago-based Redwood Logistics is a next-generation, strategically integrated logistics provider. For more than 15 years, we've been providing solutions for moving and managing freight. Redwood Logistics focuses on ensuring our customer's success. We accomplish this by employing a talented team, proven processes and cutting-edge technology.

If you’re a shipper in any industry looking to improve your logistics automation, give us a call today!