How Tech-Driven Supply Chain Platforms Can Accelerate eCommerce

 Table of Contents:

• Supply Chain Platforms and eCommerce
• Digital Supply Chain Platforms for Enhanced Visibility
• Facilitate Data-Informed Decision-Making
• Automate and Streamline Operations
• Leverage AI in Tech-Driven Supply Chain Platforms
• CrimsonLogic Tech-Driven Supply Chain Platform to Accelerate eCommerce Momentum
• How CrimsonLogic can Help
• Automated Customs Filing
• Expanded Port Options
• Real-Time Updates

New opportunities and consumer behaviors are driving the tremendous growth of eCommerce. But businesses that want to take advantage of these opportunities face increased competition, as well as changing technology, regulations and other challenges.  Embracing technology such as supply chain platforms is a step in the right direction. Read on to learn more about how tech-driven supply chain platforms can accelerate eCommerce momentum. 

Supply Chain Platforms and eCommerce

Supply chains are made up of complex networks of groups and activities such as designing, manufacturing, packaging and transporting. A supply chain platform consolidates technology, information, and other resources that involve these networks of activities into one accessible online location. It can simplify supply chain activities and make it easier for trade participants to share information, work together, access supplies, as well as talent, expertise, support and funding.

Digital Supply Chain Platforms for Enhanced Visibility

Over the past few years, a number of supply chain platforms have become more sophisticated and tech-driven, offering more opportunities for businesses to manage complex supply chains and processes.

The right supply chain technology provides greater visibility. This in turn can help a business gain more

control over inventory, reduce operating costs, and, as a result, outpace the competition.

For example, cloud-based computerized tracking and shipping enables business owners to consolidate all aspects of their supply chain and monitor from end to end. They can digitally organize inventory data, manage and monitor shipping and tracking, and even create electronic invoices. Real-time tracking and monitoring capabilities allow trade participants to assess risk and respond quickly.

Visibility, along with consolidating data and simplifying processes, can dramatically reduce shipping errors.  It can also eliminate the communication gap and easily connect trade participants to deliver the products in a timely manner while avoiding any logistics system overload.

Facilitate Data-Informed Decision-Making

A tech-driven supply chain platform provides access to big data. This is the kind of information that enterprises can use to optimize processes, create efficiencies and become more innovative. They can identify and analyze patterns, surpluses, shortages and act to resolve problems or pursue areas for growth. Advanced platforms with end-to-end visibility make data interoperability possible. Data from carriers, drivers, terminals and other trade participants can be integrated and captured in one place.

eCommerce businesses can view real-time, accurate and actionable inventory data that can help them make decisions that can improve delivery and customer satisfaction, no matter where their customers may be in the world. Increased customer satisfaction can in turn lead to continued growth.

Access to data makes it easier to produce custom reports and auto-generated reports that can help all stakeholders better understand where opportunities for improvement lie. Access to big data on financials, customer concentration and the like can also help create comprehensive risk evaluations.

Other examples of supply chain analytics-driven business insights that can be developed from tech-driven platforms:

• Optimized inventory levels
• Integrated business planning
• Cost-to-serve analysis
• Optimization of total landed costs
• Identification and resolution of defects
• Predictive and prescriptive analysis for better decision-making

Automate and Streamline Operations with a Tech-Driven Supply Chain Platform

Digital tools in a tech-driven supply chain platform can help automate and streamline business operations along the supply chain. Digitalization allows the company to improve efficiency and save time and money. Workflows can be automated and data seamlessly integrated to speed up tracking and reporting of parcels, resulting in higher productivity, lower costs and faster delivery.

Capturing and handling data manually can be tedious and unreliable. For example, manually capturing and managing supplier data would be through a paper-based or partially electronic system. That would mean all the information may not be in the same place and would need to be updated regularly. With automation, supplier management can automatically collect and process real-time information. This replaces the slow, time-consuming process of manually gathering, entering, and updating data. Centralized and automated operations also have the potential to improve customer experience through efficient inventory management and quicker order fulfillment.

Automating business processes also frees up resources that can instead be used to pursue innovation and stay one step ahead of the competition. Crucial tasks that can help companies innovate include product development, new marketing campaigns and projects to improve customer experiences.

Leverage AI in Tech-Driven Supply Chain Platforms

Tech-driven supply chain platforms leverage Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies that learn over time as they are exposed to more data. Data from a variety of areas can be applied to self-improving analysis. AI and machine learning can be used throughout the supply chain to improve logistics, material planning and order scheduling, find patterns, identify risks, identify and correct data errors and forecast future scenarios.

CrimsonLogic Tech-Driven Supply Chain Platform to Accelerate eCommerce Momentum 

CrimsonLogic is a leading provider of advanced global trade facilitation solutions. CrimsonLogic eCommerce solution streamlines processing and optimizes customs compliance for trade participants.

How CrimsonLogic can Help:

• Seamless import experience for your business
• Leverage our expertise in Customs compliance, cross-border trade facilitation and logistics
• Full visibility
• Customized program to fit the needs of your business
• Quick & easy compliance
  
  

Automated Customs Filing

Clear air eCommerce shipments in one click. CrimsonLogic supports Section 321, ACAS, Ocean and Air Type 86 filings, as well as advance electronic data filings (eManifest, ISF, eHBL, etc.) to satisfy CBP pre-arrival requirements.

Expanded Port Options

CrimsonLogic services are available in major airports and ocean ports for your convenience. Multiple ports provide flexibility and allow you to choose the best and most cost-effective routes for high-volume parcel shipments.

Real-Time Updates

With CrimsonLogic, tracking your parcels has never been easier. Our tech-driven supply chain platform provides real-time status updates, including when shipments are picked up, when filings are rejected or accepted, when goods are dropped off at the last-mile delivery service provider, and when they arrive.

Utilizing technology is crucial if businesses want to keep up with changing consumer behaviors, new opportunities and increased competition. If your business has not yet embraced digital tools and technology, digital transformation is needed and should be done right away.

To learn more about how tech driven supply chain platforms can accelerate eCommerce momentum, visit our eCommerce import program page or contact us today!