With the rise of cloud computing, companies offering Software as a Service (SaaS) have changed the way many businesses operate. These solutions are often more convenient for employees, who can access important company data from anywhere. For business owners, SaaS is often more cost-effective and scalable. SaaS platforms usually offer better security as well.
SaaS solutions are not limited to presentation and communication platforms. SaaS can help you optimize every step of your supply chain, making your team more efficient and helping you improve your customer service delivery.
What is Supply Chain SaaS?
Supply chain SaaS refers to cloud-based software that helps you manage any part of your supply chain. Using SaaS logistics and supply chain solutions offers multiple benefits.
Main Benefits of Supply Chain Management Software
Ditching your manual processes and piles of paperwork gives you better visibility into your supply chain. Supply chain SaaS gives you real-time visibility into your processes and systems. Software allows you to track shipments in real-time, manage inventory levels, analyze your costs, and assess your processes from start to finish.
Seeing your supply chain work in real-time helps you identify bottlenecks and other inefficiencies that are slowing your delivery times. This software also offers analytics data that helps you benchmark your performance against your competitors and even yourself. These insights can help you implement cost-saving measures that boost your bottom line without drastic measures.
Importance of Supply Chain SaaS in the Industry
Supply chain software can improve every part of your operations. You better understand how to manage your inventory without wasting time and money on excesses. You can also identify and mitigate potential risks before they disrupt your operations.
SaaS also lets you evaluate your vendors regularly to make sure you are still working with the best partners for your business. If you need to replace a vendor, you can easily assess new partners and automate your procurement process.
Use Cases of Supply Chain SaaS
There are many ways in which you can use cloud-based software to enhance supply chain operation.
Workflow Optimization
Supply chain software lets you optimize workflows to improve productivity. Analytical tools give you better demand forecasts to plan your inventory levels. Some SaaS tools automate parts of your processes to save your team time and reduce errors. For example, inventory management software can notify your warehouse manager when you’re running low so they can place an order before you run out. Some systems will even generate purchase orders automatically when inventory hits a certain level.
Customization and Flexibility
Because supply chain SaaS solutions are cloud-based, you don’t need additional infrastructure. Your IT team can handle maintenance and security offsite instead of having to access secure servers in multiple physical locations.
You can also customize supply chain software to meet your needs. For example, you can set up customized reports to track the analytics that matter most to you. Instead of having to sift through multiple dashboards, you can track the information you need.
Route Planning
Optimizing shipping and delivery routes on paper is easy, but it doesn’t always give you the full picture. SaaS logistics platforms help you plan routes that allow drivers to maximize efficiency. Instead of sending one driver back and forth across a city, your route planning software schedules deliveries in clusters so they can start at one end of the city and end in another.
Route planning software also helps you manage supply chain disruptions. For example, if a natural disaster impacts part of your shipping route, you can find other partners and plan alternative routes so your customers still get their merchandise on time.
How to Choose a SaaS Optimization Software
It’s important to choose the right cloud-based SaaS in supply chain operations. You need a solution that meets your needs and helps you achieve your goals. Surgere offers an AI-based solution that gives you accurate data. Our team works with you to create custom systems that generate valuable insights to drive success. Contact us to learn how we can help you and consider the following when choosing your SaaS solution.
Support
Your supply chain solution is only as good as its support team. Choose a partner with reliable customer support to minimize downtime and consistently maintain your software. You want a partner who knows your business and works closely with you to keep your software online.
Scalability and Flexibility
Change is a constant in business, and what you need today may not be what you need tomorrow. Flexibility is a big advantage of cloud-based SaaS solutions. Because you’re not constantly having to purchase and install new software, you know your solutions are always up to date. Take it further by choosing a solution that grows and changes with you.
Over time, you may change your processes and approaches to improve sustainability, increase use of technology, and even automate parts of your process. You want a solution that can evolve with your company.
Costs and ROI
Supply chain SaaS can be a big expense initially. If you’re interested in tracking inventory, for example, you need to buy sensors and scanners and equip your warehouses. Before choosing a supply chain operation solution, assess your budget. Choose a solution that best meets your needs without draining your bank account. You will see a return on investment, but you still need to run your business while you’re transitioning to your new software.
Integration Capabilities
Look for a solution that integrates with systems you’re already using. Depending on your goals, you need a system that works with your inventory management software, purchasing software, and even accounting software. Make a list of the systems you’re currently using and find a SaaS solution with the best integrations. Otherwise, you may need to replace multiple software systems.
Data Security and Privacy
Cloud-based software offers enhanced security, but you need a solution that protects your data. Look for software that encrypts data. Limit system access and take other measures to protect your data. Make sure you’re routinely backing up your data so if you do experience a breach, you can get back online quickly.
