A supply chain refers to activities involved in delivering goods and services to customers in markets. It is important for manufacturing units and warehouses that will help accomplish goals with optimal results. Supply chain management software allows an organization to streamline its operations with high accuracy. At the same time, an organization should evaluate the features of SCM software that will help plan everything. Not only that, it makes feasible ways to handle complex issues considerably.
Essential features to consider in supply chain management software
1. Inventory management
Inventory management is necessary for an organization because it provides ways to track stocks with efficiency. It helps for sourcing raw materials and for ensuring a smooth flow of finished goods without any hassles. Some software products come with real-time tools that help deal with overstocking or understocking. They show methods to optimize the stock levels by addressing exact needs.
2. Order and billing management
3. Logistics and transportation tools
Logistics and transportation tools are important for an organization to transport goods at the lowest possible costs. Moreover, they provide ways to reach dealers or customers on time that will help build the reputation. Businesses should make sure that SCM software come with freight and transportation features to ensure smooth operations. Apart from that, they even show ways to overcome complications in the transportation process to witness peace of mind.
4. Analytics and forecasting
A good supply management system should provide methods to evaluate a business apart from automating daily tasks. It should cover built-in analytics and forecasting capabilities for an organization that will help gain more advantages. Furthermore, they make feasible methods to minimize losses and other problems. A company can also anticipate customer demands and plan future production with them. Analytics and forecasting lets a company spot bottleneck and predict events that are likely to occur.
5. Collaboration
The collaboration feature of SCM helps an organization support partnerships to ensure a smooth flow of goods. Partners can access the data with this feature that will help them work together in the operations. Besides that, collaboration provides ways to develop a more sophisticated approach that works well for a business.
6. Cloud-based access and mobility
A supply chain management system should provide cloud-based access to a company to track everything with ease. Businesses can set up a cloud-based solution at a lower cost in less time. Also, they should consider having an access to a mobile app to manage their supply chain and other things easily.
7. Technical features
Companies also have to evaluate the technical features of an SCM system before investing money. For example, security features like audit trail, API, on-time deployment, and access control will do major changes.
8. End-to-end visibility of supply chain in real-time
A supply chain management system should provide end-to-end visibility of the supply chain in real-time. Employees should access various aspects of a business to make changes in the supply chain as they arise. Real-time capabilities provide methods to execute the production flow of a good or service in a company smoothly. Moreover, they even help reduce errors and mistakes in the operations process to achieve better results.
9. Return management
A company should carry out inspection works to handle damages and other issues. Having a return management feature in an SCM offers solutions for the processing of refunds or insurance claims with ease. It enables a business to manage claims and other issues with efficiency.
