Data flow automation not only benefits its immediate users but the positive effects reverberate throughout a supply chain to reduce systematic friction. This is a concept an importer of finished and in-process industrial products understood immediately when they evaluated how to streamline their logistics data.
The company carries thousands of SKUs, which are sourced domestically and internationally. Under past “normal” times, the manual process of collecting vessel arrival dates and container statuses was doable, and international supply chain visibility was less critical as just-in-time imports arrived mostly on time.
Problem
Like many companies, the COVID-induced supply chain crisis exposed not only the strain placed on existing supply chain processes but also the underlying cause: poor data integration. There are new demands placed on in-transit visibility and access to more timely status updates to keep cargo flowing. Unfortunately (but not surprisingly), this data has not been easy to automate.
For the importer, the unpredictable movement of containers and glaring visibility gaps made proper warehouse scheduling a fool's errand. What’s more, without data transparency, sales has no confidence in the company’s ability to fulfill orders. What the shipper needs is more timely and automated data upon container arrival at destination ports. The company also lacks integration between its inventory systems and lacks delivery route planning software to optimize its local delivery trucks.
Solutions
The importer’s visibility gaps lead back to one common problem: the need for a translator to enable seamless communication between systems. Splice connects siloed supply chain systems, translating data of all kinds.
By automating data inputs into enterprise systems, Splice can bring information to the enterprise application where it is most actionable. Splice pulls all your shipping and logistics data together and puts it where you need it.
By leveraging access to accurate port data as well as rail and trucking status events, this industrial products company will be able to better manage warehouse staffing. This data will improve cost management at major facilities and also reduce the daily effort involved in accumulating the information. With Splice, the company can access its full data stack through one solution, and connect to more customers and logistics partners as it scales.
Expected Results
Lower costs and improve warehouse productivity.
Better supply chain visibility with reduced inventory carrying costs.
Create higher quality forecasts and reports, eliminate time spent on aggregation, and increase confidence in supply chain data accuracy.
Avoid over-ordering of SKUs due to poor in-transit visibility with more confidence in ETAs.
With newfound confidence in their supply chain data, departments across the corporation will be able to function with greater efficiency and reduce systemic supply chain friction. Additionally, with Splice creating visibility through its integration of driver routing and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, the company will be able to increase capacity utilization of local delivery trucks.
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