3 Ways to Use Technology to Improve Supply Chain Management

The intricate web of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers that makes up the supply chain necessitates a seamless flow of goods from point of origin to final destination. Amidst this complexity, the adoption of advanced technologies becomes imperative to ensure efficiency, transparency, and reliability throughout the supply chain. One such technology making significant strides in revolutionizing supply chain management is trailer tracking technology. By leveraging sophisticated tracking systems, companies can now gain unprecedented visibility into the whereabouts and condition of their trailers, transforming how goods are transported, monitored, and managed. Let’s explore three compelling ways this technology can be harnessed to optimize supply chain operations, enhance decision-making processes, and ultimately drive business success.

Increase Your ROI by Investing in AirFinder Everywhere

• Loss Prevention. Reduce the amount of loss that occurs during the supply chain process
• Location Coverage. AirFinder Everywhere uses a combination of GPS, Cellular, and WiFi to determine location everywhere
• Security Alerts. Know when a delay in shipment has occurred so the problem
  can be addressed immediately.

1. Asset Visibility

Trailer tracking technology provides supply chain visibility. This supply chain management software tracks the location of trailers and other valuable assets in real time. This visibility enables logistics managers to precisely track the whereabouts of trailers, ensuring they are efficiently utilized and routed according to demand. Moreover, by accessing detailed data on trailer utilization, companies can identify opportunities for optimization, such as reducing idle time, minimizing empty miles, and improving overall asset utilization rates. With asset visibility provided by trailer tracking technology, fleet managers can make informed decisions, enhance operational efficiency, and ultimately drive cost savings throughout the supply chain. Furthermore, the ability to track trailers in real time enhances security measures, as any unauthorized movement or tampering can be promptly detected and addressed. 

Supply chain visibility offers fleet managers a wealth of benefits, empowering them with the tools and insights needed to optimize operations, enhance efficiency, and drive supply chain success. One of the key advantages is optimized routing. With visibility into the entire supply chain, fleet managers can analyze real-time data on trailer usage. This allows them to determine if all their trailers are being optimally used by carefully monitoring the movement of these trailers. If there are multiple that are going unused when they should be used, a simple adjustment to scheduling can be made to ensure an optimized supply chain management process.

Another significant benefit that ties into asset usage is improved resource allocation. Supply chain visibility provides fleet managers with demand forecasts and production schedules across their supply chain. Armed with this information, fleet managers can allocate resources effectively, ensuring that the right vehicles are deployed to meet specific delivery requirements and maximize asset utilization. If one warehouse location is running behind because of a lack of trailers, instead of spending time and money purchasing a new one, they can borrow a trailer from another location that has trailers going underutilized. This proactive approach to resource management helps to minimize idle time, reduce empty miles, and optimize fleet capacity, ultimately leading to cost savings and improved profitability.

The visibility a supply chain management system provides enables better decision-making among fleet managers. By accessing real-time data on inventory levels, transportation statuses, and customer demands, fleet managers can make informed decisions regarding fleet operations, maintenance schedules, and strategic planning initiatives. Whether adjusting delivery routes to accommodate last-minute orders or scheduling preventative maintenance to avoid costly breakdowns, an automated supply chain management system provides fleet managers with the insights needed to optimize performance and adapt to changing market conditions. Additionally, supply chain visibility facilitates improved customer service. By providing accurate and timely updates on shipment statuses, delivery times, and order tracking information, fleet managers can enhance customer satisfaction and strengthen relationships with clients. Transparent communication and proactive problem-solving help build trust and loyalty, positioning the fleet as a reliable partner in meeting customer needs and exceeding expectations. 

2. Compliance Management

Trailer tracking technology plays a crucial role in compliance management by providing fleet managers with the tools and insights needed to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and industry standards. A supply chain management system like asset tracking has embedded sensors that monitor temperature. This consistent monitoring enables fleet managers to maintain compliance with food safety regulations by ensuring that perishable goods are transported and stored within specified temperature ranges. Moreover, trailer tracking technology generates comprehensive reports and audit trails, which can be used to demonstrate compliance during regulatory inspections or audits.

Fleet managers stand to gain numerous benefits when they achieve cold chain compliance, ensuring the integrity and safety of temperature-sensitive goods throughout the transportation process. First and foremost, cold chain compliance instills trust and confidence among customers and stakeholders. By demonstrating a commitment to maintaining precise temperature control and adhering to stringent quality standards, fleet managers can enhance their reputation and differentiate themselves in the market as reliable and trustworthy partners for transporting perishable goods.

Moreover, a supply chain management system minimizes the risk of product spoilage and contamination, protecting the value and quality of goods in transit. By maintaining optimal temperature conditions throughout the transportation journey, fleet managers can prevent costly losses due to spoilage, thereby preserving the profitability of their operations and reducing the financial risks involved with shipping sensitive products.

Furthermore, IoT in supply chains helps fleet managers mitigate regulatory risks and ensure compliance with industry standards and government regulations. By implementing a supply chain management system with temperature monitoring and maintaining accurate records, fleet managers can minimize the risk of non-compliance penalties, fines, and legal liabilities. This proactive approach to regulatory compliance not only protects the reputation and credibility of the fleet but also fosters a culture of responsibility and accountability within the organization. 

3. Analytics

Trailer tracking technology serves as a valuable tool for generating and analyzing data that can provide insights into the efficiency of your supply chain operations management. By collecting data on factors such as trailer location, route history, and delivery times, trailer tracking systems enable fleet managers to gain a comprehensive understanding of their logistics processes. This wealth of data can be leveraged to identify trends, patterns, and inefficiencies within the supply chain. For example, analytics derived from trailer tracking technology can reveal opportunities to optimize transportation routes, reduce fuel consumption, and improve delivery efficiency. Moreover, by analyzing historical data, fleet managers can forecast demand more accurately, enabling better inventory management and resource allocation. Additionally, trailer tracking technology facilitates performance monitoring and benchmarking, allowing fleet managers to measure KPIs such as on-time delivery rates, transit times, and asset utilization. By harnessing the power of analytics, fleet managers can make data-driven decisions, identify areas for improvement, and continuously optimize their supply chain operations for enhanced efficiency and profitability.

Fleet managers derive numerous benefits from utilizing trailer tracking technology to collect data and analytics, empowering them with valuable insights to optimize their operations and drive efficiency. By harnessing the wealth of data generated by trailer tracking systems, fleet managers gain unparalleled visibility into their fleet’s performance and operational dynamics. They can track trailers’ locations, monitor route histories, and analyze delivery times, providing a comprehensive understanding of their logistics processes. They can use the data that’s been collected to identify patterns and trends within the data, facilitating accurate demand forecasting and resource planning. By analyzing historical data, fleet managers can make informed decisions regarding fleet deployment and more, ultimately improving their operational efficiency and reducing costs.

Furthermore, trailer tracking technology facilitates real-time monitoring and performance tracking, allowing fleet managers to assess KPIs. By tracking these metrics, fleet managers can identify areas for improvement, implement corrective actions, and measure the impact of operational changes, leading to continuous optimization and performance enhancement. Additionally, trailer tracking technology enhances fleet safety and security by providing real-time alerts and notifications for unauthorized movements, deviations from planned routes, or potential security breaches. Fleet managers can proactively respond to incidents, mitigate risks, and ensure the safety of both assets and personnel. Furthermore, the data collected through trailer tracking technology can be leveraged to improve customer service and satisfaction. By providing accurate and timely updates on shipment statuses, delivery times, and order tracking information, fleet managers can enhance communication with customers and build trust and loyalty.

One of the biggest ways that this data helps, however, is how it unlocks the ability to use AI within your company’s supply chain operations. AI is a helpful tool for improving operations and decision-making. AI can determine how much to order and when, and can schedule deliveries. In order for AI to successfully and correctly provide this information to fleet managers, it needs data. It can’t just guess, it needs data to base its decisions on. Just like you, when you make decisions. A supply chain management system can easily collect this data to be fed to AI so you can get the most out of AI. 

Which Technology Should You Use?

When it comes to asset tracking, businesses have a plethora of options to choose from, ranging from basic RFID tags to advanced GPS-enabled systems. Each option offers its own set of features and capabilities, catering to different use cases and requirements. RFID tags, for instance, provide proximity-based tracking and are ideal for indoor environments where precise location information is not necessary. Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) beacons offer longer-range tracking capabilities and are suitable for indoor environments where GPS signals may be unreliable or unavailable. GPS tracking systems provide real-time location tracking and are well-suited for tracking assets across large geographic areas. However, among these options, AirFinder Everywhere stands out as the superior choice for asset tracking due to its advanced features, reliability, and versatility.
AirFinder utilizes a combination of GPS, Cellular, and WiFi sniffing technologies to provide highly accurate and real-time location tracking for your trailers and other assets, no matter where they are, indoors and outdoors. This hybrid approach ensures seamless tracking capabilities across various environments, from warehouses and manufacturing facilities to outdoor storage yards and distribution centers. One of the key advantages of AirFinder is its precision tracking capabilities. By leveraging a combination of GPS, WiFi sniffing, and cellular, you are able to get the accuracy you need without sacrificing battery life. Moreover, AirFinder offers a range of additional features and functionalities that further enhance its value as an asset tracking solution. These include temperature and humidity monitoring, motion detection, tamper alerts, and geofencing capabilities. With these features, fleet managers can not only track the location of their assets but also monitor environmental conditions, detect unauthorized movements, and receive real-time alerts for any anomalies or security breaches. AirFinder Everywhere was designed with scalability and ease of integration in mind, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes and industries. The platform is cloud-based, allowing for seamless integration with existing enterprise systems and workflows. AirFinder offers a user-friendly interface and customizable dashboards, enabling companies to tailor the solution to their specific needs and requirements. 

Will You Use Technology to Improve Your Logistics Supply Chain Management Strategy?

The integration of technology into supply chain risk management processes offers immense potential for businesses to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and drive innovation. From asset visibility to predictive analytics, the possibilities for improvement are vast and varied. By leveraging these technological advancements, companies can gain greater visibility into their supply chain operations, optimize processes, and make more informed decisions. Whether it’s improving demand forecasting, optimizing transportation routes, or enhancing inventory management, technology enables companies to stay agile and competitive in today’s fast-paced global marketplace. Embracing technology is not just a strategic advantage but a necessity for businesses looking to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and data-driven world. To learn more about our AirFinder Everywhere solution and how you can use it to improve your supply chain management strategy, book a demo with our team.