7 Benefits of Cloud-Based Logistics Management

The power of increased data, integrated communication, and real-time analytics has delivered savings multipliers beyond any previous advancement.

Cloud-based solutions are essential to getting the most value out of your operations.

The impact of the cloud on logistics can sometimes be so overwhelming that it’s hard to discern exactly what it is changing.

In the next few hundred words, we’ll boil down the essence of this revolution and why you should expect more than ever from your 3PL.

Real-time Pricing
Quickly understanding the price associated with every logistics element of your supply chain allows you to control your costs with finesse. Pricing elements within transportation and warehousing can fluctuate based on any number of factors: weather, market conditions, or demand.

With so much volatility, on the fly adjustments can make or break margins.

Remember, costs in the supply chain are quickly compounded down the value stream making even a slight savings through real-time pricing an enormous win.

Real-time Inventory
The inventory you have on hand is your most direct means of controlling for risks and optimizing costs. It’s your business’s shield; how much agility can you sacrifice for greater protection?

Real-time inventory management allows you to maximizing your ability to respond to demand fluctuations while holding onto your buffer against emergencies. Data flow from the cloud gives you infinitely more precise control over your inventory levels.

Eliminate Multiple WMS and TMS Systems
TMS and WMS systems are instrumental to expediting procurement and shipping, however, multiple systems in the hands of multiple users can produce a huge number of different transportation options, with only one of them bearing the true lowest cost.

The cloud’s ability to coordinate information with a specific solution can prevent any delays that might be caused by miscommunication or missed savings that might come from obfuscated data.

Equipment and Utilization Patterns
Within any repetitive system, pattern recognition is essential to optimization. Cloud-integration allows metrics to be taken and analyzed in a myriad of ways to expedite making those patterns apparent within shipping and procurement.

From how equipment is utilized to the most frequent freight movement, cloud-based software systems help discover patterns and utilize them to better capitalize on abundance or eliminate wasteful excess.

Accurate Merge in Transit Model
When trying to coordinate the union of a number of components from several suppliers, possibly from all over the world, synchronizing processes is paramount to efficiency.

Within certain situations, having processes synchronized down to the hour might be required. Logistics solutions that allow for real-time monitoring through the cloud makes accurate models of merge in transit possible for the first time.

A process that was previously too complex to accurately estimate can now be forecasted and monitored through a real-time, online dashboard.

Office Resource Flexibility
Cloud-integrated logistics not only provides more data in real-time, it makes it accessible to your entire team, regardless of location or time. Universal accessibility makes processes that require round the clock oversight far more easily handled.

Logistics managers can observe processes in real-time from remote locations and allows immediate resource deployment in case response is needed.

Logistics optimization and management remains a formidably complex task, but the cloud continues to make the art infinitely more user-friendly and efficient.

Increased data delivered in real-time makes it possible to exercise extreme control over critical processes while increasing the flexibility with which it is implemented.

Jamie Wyatt is Chief Operating Officer at Linkex logistics (a non-asset based logistics and transportation management company).

Wednesday, 28 January 2015 | 11:00 AM Central Time

The Demand-Driven Logistics Provider Webcast
Global logistics provider Resolve, reveals lessons learned and best practices in supply chain technology

In this Webcast, Chuck Chase and Gene Trousil of One Network will be joined by Johann van der Westhuizen of Resolve, a subsidiary of Imperial Logistics one of the world’s largest logistics providers, and a supply chain consulting and process outsourcing leader.

Johann will discuss in depth, how they have quickly developed powerful and customized solutions for their customers, simplified their technology landscape, and delivered rapid and dramatic results for themselves and their customers.

You will learn how Resolve delivered:

• 360 degree view into all levels of logistics and supply chain activities on a single platform
• Nimble and responsive supply chains for their customers
• Global end-to-end tracking and visibility throughout the entire transaction lifecycle
• Structured and unstructured capabilities between network partners
• Improved service levels through reductions in stock outs and late deliveries
• Reduced total IT costs through SaaS model and geographic hosting partner agreement

Diverse case studies that will be explored:

• End-to-End Integrated Logistics Solution that provides complete shipment life cycle traceability, even across different shipping organizations, and how this dramatically improved vehicle utilization, reduced labor costs, and more.
• Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Network a discussion of Rwanda’s countrywide chain-of- end-to-end, chain-of-custody fulfillment network for medical supplies
• Parcel Management Solution for a nationwide post office which led to superior service with lower operating costs, increased customer acquisition and retention, and more
• Cash Management Solution for a national reserve bank that provided effective cash management with optimized inventory levels and reduced logistics costs

Who’s it for?

• Logistics companies and 3PLs who want to simplify and improve their technology and their service offering
• Logistics and supply chain professionals
• Professionals in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries concerned about improving in-stocks, reducing waste, and protecting against counterfeit drugs
• Anyone interested in optimizing logistics and supply chain operations
• Anyone curious about the current state of advanced supply chain technology, and what is now possible

Reserve your seat now to learn how Resolve achieved industry-leading results, improved its decision-making process, proactively reacts to events across its supply chain,and gained insights into its data with smart analytics.

There will be a live Q&A chat during the Webcast.