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Supply chain management is especially important for pharmaceutical companies. From packaging to medications, there are many types of supplies that pharmaceutical companies rely on daily. More importantly, consumers depend on pharmaceutical companies to deliver finished products that they need to maintain their health.

SUPPLY CHAIN THREATS

Geopolitical issues can threaten the production and shipment of some important supplies. According to Compliance Week, two issues that are top concerns to most companies are shortages and recalls. These two topics are especially critical to the pharmaceutical industry. Raw material shortages mean that some substances may be harder to produce. With some types of shortages, production plants may be forced to close. If pharmaceutical companies have only one supplier for a certain product, a closure or a major delay could cause delays in other operations that rely on that supply.

Medication recalls are on the rise today. For example, Zantac was recently recalled after a probable carcinogen was discovered in it. The carcinogen was also suspected to be in some generic products that were made by other companies. However, a few suppliers still sold the over-the-counter acid reducer for a while. In some cases, tainted ingredients or other impurities that lead to recalls are discovered in one or two suppliers’ ingredients. However, they may not exist in the products of every supplier.

BUILDING AND MANAGING A ROBUST SUPPLY CHAIN

Maintaining a robust supply chain is a multi-faceted strategy. First, it is important to strategically choose raw material suppliers. Pharmaceutical companies should have suppliers in various locations. This will help reduce the likelihood of political or economic issues eliminating supplies. For example, if a company’s three suppliers are all in the same country, shipping delays would become problematic if political turmoil develops. Having suppliers that follow the strictest compliance guidelines for quality production is also important in the pharmaceutical industry.

Another important part of a good supply chain management strategy is having a reliable way to transport shipments. This is true whether the shipments are coming from a raw materials provider or are being sent to another recipient. Although some companies maintain contracts with major global shipping providers, it is also helpful to have on-demand services. When a shipment must be guaranteed to arrive at a destination on time, a courier management service is essential.

With our courier delivery software, a pharmaceutical company or supplier can use tools to plan a route, estimate the delivery time and take advantage of last mile delivery options. Last mile delivery and logistics solutions are ideal for companies that need to get a shipment from a major shipping hub to the recipient as quickly as possible. Although major shipping carriers usually take longer and use standard route planning, our program makes it easier to find faster courier delivery options. Tracking is available for the convenience of the sender and for the peace of mind of the recipient. When there is a robust supply chain and a powerful supply chain management plan in place, pharmaceutical companies are able to better serve their customers’ needs and stay competitive.

Being an established brand in the US trucking industry can be highly rewarding. After all, this industry surpassed $700 billion in annual revenues in 2017, according to a report published by the American Trucking Association.

On the other hand, developing a fleet brand can be hugely challenging, with stiff competition, a tough regulatory environment and highly discerning customers. Amid this landscape, there are a few critical factors that can define the success of a fleet brand. Here’s a look at them.

GET THE RIGHT VEHICLES

For a fleet brand, procuring the vehicles represents the biggest capital investment. So, this is a critical decision. Here are a few things to consider:

Buy, finance or lease the vehicles: There are pros and cons of each, and the decision would depend on your current finances, terms you’re able to secure for financing and leasing and market projections.

Vehicle size: While this will depend on the freight being transported, the total cost of ownership of a light-duty vehicle is significantly lower than that of a heavy-duty one. Fuel costs as well as maintenance and repair costs will be higher for larger vehicles. On the other hand, larger vehicles may have a longer service life.

Carrying capacity: The most painful cost for a fleet brand is operating vehicles carrying freight under their full capacity

Terrains: Consider whether the routes will be mostly lengthy highway commutes or off-road travel.

Capital versus operating costs: For instance, a diesel vehicle costs more but is more economical in fuel consumption as compared to gas powered vehicles. Moreover, diesel vehicles have lower emission and can project your brand as being environment friendly.

MEASURE EVERYTHING!

Operating costs are probably high for your fleet brand. These may include fuel costs, insurance, costs related to maintenance and repair of vehicles, driver costs, vehicle downtime costs, expenses related to providing customer service and many more. The best way to have a real-time view of these costs and measure everything is to select a powerful software solution. This can underline the success of your fleet brand.

Focus on selecting a software solution that gives a comprehensive view and is user customizable, while also being straightforward to implement, say experts at Key Software Systems. They explain that such a solution eliminates the cost and hassles of managing multiple components, while ensuring that your employees have a good experience with the software, which will encourage them to leverage it to the fullest.

Choose a solution that can manage last mile, same day and next day deliveries for providing a top-notch experience to your customers. The software should help you determine the ideal route and schedule work to drivers accordingly.

Compliance will also become easier with the right software. Moreover, you could choose a solution that enhances your brand by allowing you to customize email and SMS alerts for customers and consignees.

INVEST IN DRIVER TRAINING

This is probably the most ignored aspect by fleet brands. With some training, it’s possible to increase their productivity, improves fuel efficiency and reduces vehicle accidents and breakdowns. Driver training can focus on:

• Driving in wet, snowy or hazardous conditions
• How to efficiently brake, accelerate and reduce excess idling
• A basic understanding of the vehicle
• What do to in case of an accident
• How to deal with customers efficiently and courteously

Finally, what makes a fleet brand successful is having a sound business plan and achieving the perfect balance between executing the plan effectively and being flexible enough to grab unexpected opportunities, says a report by Harvard Business Review.

Last mile delivery continues to be one of the biggest challenges faced by courier and shipping companies. It also tends to be really expensive. In fact, around 53% of the total cost of shipping is accounted for by last mile delivery, according to an article on Business Insider. Some wonder how logistics companies are always trying to find technological solutions to improve this process.

Here are some ways to optimize last mile delivery.

1. NETWORK OF DISTRIBUTION CENTERS

Having distribution centers located close to areas where a majority of the deliveries are made can improve the cost and time efficiency of last mile delivery. It can reduce fuel costs, empty miles, and driving time. It is also vital that you have the right number of distribution centers. If the coverage is spotty, it can lead to a higher probability of delays and reduced productivity, according to a blog post by Key Software Systems. It is also a good idea to take into consideration the weather conditions in the area. For instance, areas prone to tornados and floods can make deliveries difficult.

2. OPTIMIZED DELIVERY ROUTES AND SCHEDULING

Robust courier delivery software that allows for route optimization can be a huge advantage. It uses GPS and traffic data to plan the most efficient delivery routes, minimizing idle time, the need for double backing on any route and avoiding traffic. The routes are planned in accordance with all the deliveries that are to be made in that area. They can also provide additional information, such as where to park the vehicle. This not only reduces delivery time, but also saves fuel. With such software, companies also get analytics about the vehicle and the driver, which they can use to improve their operations.

3 .REAL TIME UPDATES

With the help of tracking codes, it becomes possible to always know where a package is. You can update the customer with the help of emails or text messages. They can also track the package themselves. It increases the confidence of the customers in the process. In addition, real time updates on the vehicle can help fleet managers trouble shoot problems quickly.

4. MEASURE YOUR PERFORMANCE

Last, but not least, it is important that you constantly measure your performance. Statistics, such as on-time delivery rates, can help increase accountability and productivity. Gaining insights from customers and surveys can also help in improving the delivery process.

The delivery process is one of the most important elements in ensuring customer satisfaction. In fact, 55% of the consumers feel that they are willing to switch to another brand if it provides faster deliveries, according to a Capgemini report.

Communication, or information exchanges, is vital for any business. This is not limited to human interaction. API, application programming interface and EDI, electronic data interchange, are a way for businesses to exchange information, which was traditionally done by paper documents.

It may come as a surprise to many that EDI was first developed by the US transportation industry for standardizing electronic transfer between customers and vendors as early as the 1960s, according to an article published by True Commerce. Today EDI and API communications, that specify how software components interact, are being embraced by an increasingly large number of industries and companies, especially with the rise in online transactions. In fact, as many as 59% businesses had EDI capabilities in 2017, according to an article by Data Interchange.

API/EDI solutions have proved to be particularly beneficial in enhancing strategic alliances throughout the supply chain. Here’s how this technology has helped transform supply chain management.

AUTOMATION

Internal management processes, such as sending, generating and recording electronic transactions, can be automated with the help of API/EDI solutions. It also enables the automation of interactions with ERP systems, which in turn helps in processing dispatch notices, invoices and orders, without any human interaction.

BETTER INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

Real time updates provided by API/EDIs help companies maintain optimal levels of inventory. Before the advent of EDI, business owners had to make approximations about the expected sales and manage restocking accordingly. With API/EDI solutions and their advancements, companies can effectively prevent both the evils of shortages and overstocking of inventory.

Using API/EDIs, the traceability of a product can also be improved. The location of an item can be monitored by the system at all times.

COST SAVINGS

Paper driven processes are time consuming, add to costs and bring inefficiencies into the process. Expenses associated with printing, paper, reproduction, postage, document retrieval and filing can be saved when a company uses to API/EDI solutions. This is also an ecofriendly option, as it saves paper.

GREATER ACCURACY

The risk of errors is much greater when hardcopies of documents are in use or data is handled by humans. Errors may occur due to a variety of reasons, such as lost faxes, illegible handwriting and re-keying errors. These errors can be eliminated using API/EDIs. With a reduction in paper-based document flow, transmission times of information can also be lowered.

REAL TIME VISIBILITY

With API/EDIs, there is real time visibility into the transaction status of various items. This helps in making quicker decisions and in adapting to changing customer expectations and the dynamic nature of the market. Businesses can adopt a demand-driven model and remain relevant for longer.

API/EDI solutions also enable businesses to shorten their lead times for new product delivery and enter new markets with greater confidence.

In shipping and logistics, every mile counts. While many companies focus on the start of the journey, it is actually the last mile that can cause so many problems for the industry. According to some estimates, the cost associated with the last mile of shipping can account for up to 40 percent of the overall project. That is why more companies should learn how to properly leverage last mile logistics as part of their courier delivery software.

UNDERSTANDING LAST MILE LOGISTICS

Last mile logistics refers to the last leg of the delivery process. It does not have to be a literal mile. In some cases, it can refer to the last few blocks or the last 50 miles. The distance is irrelevant. Instead, the term describes the last carrier who delivers the package to its final destination. Many large shipping companies focus on traversing the greatest distances of their routes. Accordingly, the final leg is usually transferred over to smaller delivery providers. These logistics are unavoidable. However, there are ways to mitigate the cost and inconvenience with the proper technology in place.

WHAT CONSIDERATIONS IMPACT DELIVERY IN THE LAST MILE

Coordinating last mile delivery is based on numerous factors. First, it is important to pick providers that have the capacity to get the job done. If your company deals with smaller packages, the provider must have enough trucks and drivers to make timely delivery. Larger items can be even trickier. You need a provider that has the ability to transport larger objects on a local scale. Moreover, if the items need to be assembled upon delivery, then you will need to make sure that there are employees capable of completing such a task. With so many conditions, hiring the right company for the right price is easier said than done.

ESTABLISHING A SUPPLY CHAIN

This is all part of establishing a supply chain to streamline your shipping model. Shipping is about getting items from the vendor to the customer. As more people shop online, the demand for such a supply chain is more pressing than ever. The pressure for shipping companies is pronounced as people crave faster shipping speeds. This means that capitalizing on the last mile is critical to success. The supply chain costs money from start to finish. If you are using up too many funds on the last mile, then the entire supply chain will suffer. Customers do not only want their shipments faster. They want them cheaper, which means that shipping companies have to respond in order to survive.

LAST MILE DELIVERY SOFTWARE CAN HELP

The logistics involved with the last mile are significant. That is why the smart choice is to use dispatch management software with last mile delivery tracking included. This software allows you to hook up with the best local providers for fast, efficient service in the last mile. At Key Software Systems, many of our products account for the demands of the last mile. Contact us today to learn more.

Of the many advancements in logistics and shipping, one of the most powerful is GPS tracking. GPS allows vehicles to be tracked in real time. This means that it is possible to see where every vehicle is at any given moment. The utility of such technology is multifaceted. In fact, for companies on the cutting edge of logistics and shipping, GPS tracking as part of your auto dispatch software is nearly essential.

SAFETY FOR DRIVERS

Driver safety is an important issue for everyone. After all, drivers share the road with everyone, and the long hours on the road can pose real risks across the board. There have been many regulations to promote safety for drivers, but GPS tracking as part of your dispatch management software can revolutionize your safety measures. GPS tracking gives managers insight into how drivers are performing at any given moment. This means that it is possible to see if the driver is going too fast, veering off course or behaving erratically in other ways. If anything strange shows up on the GPS tracking, it is easy for the dispatcher to contact the driver for a wellness check.

EFFICIENCY FOR THE FLEET

If you invest in courier delivery software with GPS tracking, you can boost your fleet’s efficiency. With GPS tracking, it is much easier to see which drivers are in the right position to respond to emerging needs. More than that, the increased visibility of a driver’s performance promotes accountability. Since drivers know that they are being tracked more actively, they are likely to boost their performance. Some estimates suggest that the implementation of GPS tracking can improve productivity by up to 20 percent. Fuel costs can be reduced by 15 percent. This means GPS tracking can streamline your routes and reduce delivery time for improved efficiency across the board.

COST REDUCTION FOR COMPANIES

There are many concerns in the logistics industry, but profitability is always important. After all, if you are not turning a profit, then you cannot support your fleet. Some companies are reluctant to invest in a courier software system because of the cost associated with such systems. However, GPS tracking can make sure that you get your money’s worth. In addition to reducing waste and fuel through route efficiency, there are other cost reductions associated with GPS tracking. GPS tracking minimizes the risk of theft. It also allows you to identify vehicles that are in disrepair. These vehicles are expensive to maintain. Overall, GPS tracking may have an initial cost, but it will save your company money over time.

KEEPING YOUR FLEET UP TO DATE

Ultimately, GPS tracking is no longer an optional service in the modern logistics world. If you want your company to remain competitive, you need to invest in GPS tracking as part of your delivery dispatch software. With Key Software Systems, you can find software to fit your company’s needs. Options like MobileTek provide courier management software that includes GPS tracking as one of its features. Contact Key Software Systems to learn more.

Armies throughout history have had problems with their supply chains. From Hannibal being cut off by Scipio Africanus to Rommel’s problems west of Tobruk, many commanders have lamented not having better supply management. It is no different from businesses. A company cannot operate without its necessary items, and the supplies have to come from somewhere.

SUPPLY CHAIN VISIBILITY

A key concept to successful supply chain management is supply chain visibility. Such visibility involves keeping track of stuff while it’s on the way from wherever it came from to wherever it’s going. That could be to your business or its warehouses, or it could be to your customers. In the 21st century, last-mile delivery is crucial to customer satisfaction. What is a last-mile delivery? That’s the part of the supply chain where the item goes from the closest hub to the customer’s residence or business. The focus of last-mile delivery is on speed, so supply chain visibility is essential. You can’t speed up the delivery if you don’t know when stuff gets to the hub!

One of the biggest reasons supply chain visibility is a headache is that many companies outsource their delivery operations. They have lost touch with something that they used to do themselves. With premium dispatch delivery software and route optimization software, however, they can see what their delivery operations folks are doing and take steps to improve their performance.

Key Software Systems has 20 years’ experience in developing such programs for both “Mom-and-Pop” businesses and Fortune 500 giants. Using either of the company’s two brands, Xcelerator or Mobiletek, allows you to monitor all aspects of your supply chain, particularly when paired with other software that provides real-time GPS positioning and even speed and tire wear monitoring.

AUTOMATION

The next big advancement coming down the turnpike, so to speak, is automation. Ever since that self-driving truck delivered that Coors Beer in Colorado, driving 132 miles by itself with no human interaction at all, the handwriting has been on the wall. In the future, you’ll be communicating with an on-board computer to get updates on progress instead of a human driver. You’re going to need powerful, user-friendly software to keep track of everything.

Key Software Systems has always been at the forefront of dispatch management software and other software that helps with supply chain management and visibility. Our prediction is that autonomous vehicles, and possibly solar-powered electric recharging coils in the pavement, will revolutionize the supply chain management industry in new and exciting ways. The Chinese are already building such highways.

When this shift happens, the software will have to keep up. It’s our job to make sure it does. We can already see all GPS-equipped vehicles in a delivery fleet in real-time. We can even see if the drivers are speeding! By combining the vehicle tracking software with item tracking software, we can see the items in transit and can make reasonable estimates on delivery times in the “last mile.”

Where will we be 10 or 15 years from now? We might even be tracking autonomous drones that leave items in rooftop receptacles. As the world of science fiction becomes more and more real, the principles of supply chain visibility remain as important as ever.

The world is changing faster than ever before, with advances in technology altering the way we do things in almost every aspect of life. Warehouses are no exception. Technology has also given rise to ecommerce and it is technology that has helped raise its popularity. This online retail revolution has had significant implications for the warehousing industry, from the way they operate, to their scale of business, with an average US warehouse increasing 143% in size, according to an article on Supply Chain Drive.

So, when we look at the impact on the warehousing industry, we once again look at technology for solutions to address the changes.

IMPROVED LOGISTICS TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE

Warehouse technology has advanced tremendously, with the use of different types of inventory management and courier software to support the growing needs of the consumer. Mobile courier software can be used on smartphones and tablets, leading to more efficient management, improved protection of data, and real time information through a single dashboard.

CHANGING TOPOGRAPHY

Ecommerce has changed the definition of a good location for a warehouse. Earlier, warehouses needed to be located where the zoning regulations were lenient. But now, with the surge in same day and next day deliveries, the prime location for warehouses has shifted to places close to large cities.

INNOVATIVE STORAGE SYSTEMS

In today’s fast-paced world, where everyone expects their orders to be delivered as quickly as possible, there is a huge demand of innovative storage solutions. For instance, take Amazon’s “chaotic storage,” in which new items are placed on the nearest available shelf, instead of placing items in alphabetic or price-based order. The system may look chaotic and untidy to an outside observer, but with the help of automated technologies, the system is able to manage warehouse inventory in one of the best and most efficient ways, according to an article on System ID.

BETTER EMPLOYEE TRAINING

With the booming warehouse industry, driven to a large extent by ecommerce, the demand for warehousing has increased as well. With such high demand, every part of the warehouse machinery must work perfectly, including the workers. Warehouses have improved their training efforts, training new hires quickly, so that they can add to the productivity of the warehouse as soon as possible. Workers understanding the protocols and the technology is necessary for the efficient functioning of a warehouse.

Ecommerce has brought about a revolution in the warehouse industry, with the changes set to be even greater in the near future. While this gives the warehouse industry a reason to celebrate, it also means seeking better technology solution for logistics management.

The global logistics industry has had to evolve very quickly with the rise of e-commerce and digital literacy. Global supply chains aim at being faster, smarter and more customer-centric today. To achieve this, they are investing in logistics service providers that can best cater to the demands of customers. This will lead to the global logistics market registering a CAGR of about 7% by the end of 2022, according to an article by Technavio.

TRENDS TRANSFORMING THE GLOBAL LOGISTICS INDUSTRY IN 2019

1. Proliferation of 3PL and 5PL

More than 90% Fortune 100 companies and over 85% of the Fortune 500 companies used third-party logistics services in 2015, according to an article by Key Software Systems. The rapid increase of 3PL services contributed the most to the global logistics market share. This trend is expected to continue in 2019, helping carriers benefit from faster courier dispatch, reduced delivery time, tracking and planning. The fifth party logistics providers link e-business to achieve lesser cost targets.

2. Last Mile Delivery Management

This is one of the most crucial aspects of standing apart from the competitors. The same-day delivery market is growing exponentially, keeping pace with the rising customer expectations. This change is most prominent in the pharmaceuticals and food and beverage industries. Ultimate customer satisfaction is achieved only through on-time delivery.

3. The Upsurge of Green Logistics

Companies all across the world are looking forward to implementing sustainable development goals for their businesses. This means decreasing the environmental impact of transportation and supply chains. The result of this move would be strong company reputation, the loyalty of customers, reduction in costs and product innovations, all of which are great for both businesses and the consumer.

4. Increase in Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Shipment

This has enabled manufacturers to sell their products directly to their customers through online stores. This helps them close the gaps between the supply chain and the consumer on various platforms. Retailers no longer need to ensure inventories and storage space. And, for the consumer, it means better prices and easier shopping experiences.

5. Drones and Smart Glasses

The way forward for logistics is through smart technology. These tools help increase the speed of delivery while affording better flexibility. This makes last-mile delivery more efficient in both urban and rural areas. Hands-free route searches and face recognition ensure error-free delivery. Artificial Intelligence-powered smart glasses also help increase operational efficiency.

Supply chains are welcoming these trends in open logistics network to not only meet the expectations of their customers but to also position themselves better in the market, according to an article by Mixmove.