These are some of the areas to watch as we venture into 2019:
In the warehouse
The increasing adoption of advanced warehouse and inventory management systems continues. Warehouses and DCs need to work faster, smarter, and with fewer people.
Today’s WMS solutions are well equipped to take on some of the key challenges associated with e-commerce fulfilment such as smaller order sizes.
Although there is much talk about the use of augmented and virtual reality in the warehouse, it is early days. Some retailers are already using these technologies to introduce their customers to their new products or services:
Augmented reality (AR) is technology that superimposes an image on a user’s view of the world to create a single image. For example, the Converse Sampler iPhone App uses AR to allow shoppers to virtually try on any trainer from their range, simply by pointing their phone at their leg.
Visual reality (VR) is a computer-generated simulation of a 3D image or an environment to immerse the users into a completely new and different world. In aviation, medicine, and the military, VR training is an alternative to live training with expensive equipment, dangerous situations, or sensitive technology. VR is changing the way that consumers shop for products, with more and more consumer journeys starting with an image or a photograph.
There is still scope for “tried and tested” fulfilment systems that have not yet been fully explored or implemented. Manual tracking of inventory is time-consuming, inefficient and therefore expensive. Inventory management systems that collect and analyse data provide insights into consumer buying patterns. Nordstrom and Walmart are using this technology extensively.
The use of mobile robots is high on the list of innovations due to the fact that picking and packing are labour intensive activities. The technology seems not to have advanced to the point where robots are able to pick orders from conventional racking but it will happen. Integration of legacy systems with small-screen mobile devices is a noticeable trend where companies are aiming to automate the process at every possible touch point.
Supply chain visibility
Tracking and monitoring systems increase transparency and visibility and promote integrity throughout the supply chain. Procurement is becoming more dynamic and intelligent due to software solutions helping with spend analysis and contract management. Suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers need to work together on a shared platform with their logistics companies, using complementary policies and procedures, to establish live visibility. Live visibility helps us to understand the “last mile” better so that reactions can be better and customers can be served faster.
Blockchain
Blockchain—the distributed ledger technology behind the digital asset and payment system Bitcoin – is being mooted as the next big thing for supply chains. But how can this fledgeling technology be used to benefit logistics and the supply wider chain? The answer lies in its potential to speed up administrative order and payment processes and to take costs out of the system while still guaranteeing the security of transactions.
The underlying principle of blockchain is to provide a secure environment where encrypted business transactions between buyer and seller can happen without the need for third parties such as banks and clearing agents to intervene. Companies may need to adopt a blockchain-powered logistics system to compete in the global market
E-commerce and omnichannel
Omni-channel fulfilment, i.e. integrating the different methods of shopping available to retail consumers is turning third-party logistics (3PL) and 4PL logistics companies into supply chain technology providers. Omni-channel is requiring businesses to rethink how goods and services will reach consumers and is impacting the way organizations design their warehouses and DCs. It can involve some or all of these:
• Website and mobile apps
• Brick-and-mortar store
• Social media such as Facebook and Instagram
• Online retailers such as Amazon, Alibaba and eBay
• Pop-up Shops
• Events + Markets
According to Fortna, a leading consulting company in this field, getting omnichannel distribution to work is hard but worth the effort. They offer the following insights:
• Inventory sharing is not always seamless. It may require new planning processes and channel-specific packaging.
• Some synergies come easy, others are difficult. Demand peaks may vary between channels.
• Competing priorities have to be reconciled emphasizing the importance of flow management.
• The personnel skills required for an omnichannel DC are different. Resistance to change and communication are difficult in a rapidly changing environment
• It is more than alignment around a common set of KPIs. Expectations and incentives have to be aligned to strategy.
• Do not underestimate investment in systems (time and money) required. Implementation always takes longer than anticipated
The Supply Chain Consulting Group Ltd is the result of a merger between two of the UKs leading Logistics and Supply Chain Consultancies; Gideon Hillman Consulting and Go Supply Chain Consulting. The new company is 50/50 shared ownership between Gideon Hillman Consulting Ltd and Go Supply Chain Consulting Ltd with the directors of both companies sitting on the board of the joint venture. The two companies have been collaborating on major European and UK Logistics Network and Supply Chain projects for major clients in Grocery and non-grocery FMCG retail since 2015.
