I usually picture long lines of factories and warehouses when I think about supply chains. However, many supply chains are becoming shorter and more fluid these days as companies move to 3D printing or artificial intelligence to make their products. In the future, these innovations will completely transform how we do business. Here’s what you need to know about these eight innovations in global trade:
Big Data
The supply chain has been traditionally known for its lack of information about our products and services. But with the advent of big data technology, we can now analyze all these different streams of information at once to create more accurate forecasts than ever before.
The key benefit of this type of analysis is that it allows companies to take a holistic view of their operations by looking at costs across different locations or periods (day-to-day vs month-to-month). It also gives you insight into how your customers interact with your brand—which may not necessarily be what you expect based on previous assumptions about consumer behaviour!
Service and Closed-Loop Supply Chains
In the past, the supply chain has been a one-way street. Goods moved from factories in China to factories in Europe or the United States, where they were made into products for consumers. But what if that process could be reversed? What if you could take goods from your customers and sell them as services?
That’s precisely what we see with service and closed-loop supply chains: companies offer services as part of their business model instead of selling goods. They then resell those services at a profit (or at least make enough money, so they don’t lose money).
For example, Amazon sells e-books on its Kindle e-reader device but also provides libraries with digital copies via KDP Select program; Netflix markets itself by offering original content; Uber lets passengers hire drivers through its app; AirBnB allows people to rent out rooms or homes; etcetera…
Drones and Robotics
Drones and robotics are two of the most exciting innovations in supply chain management, but they’re also two things that may be too futuristic to consider today. That said, drones and robotic systems have the potential to fundamentally change global trade by improving communication between businesses on both sides of an ocean or border.
Drones are already being used by companies like FedEx and Amazon to monitor their fleets and detect problems before they become issues. These drones can also spot issues such as theft or vandalism more efficiently than humans can because they fly at high altitudes (upwards of 1 km) where other people are unlikely to see them—and even if they do see something strange flying over their heads during their shift at work!
Autonomous Trucks
Autonomous trucks are a big deal, not just for the big guys. These self-driving trucks will be able to drive themselves—and they’ll also be able to follow other vehicles, communicate with each other and even talk directly with road infrastructure.
That means that by the end of this year, if you’re shipping goods from one place in China or around the world and need them delivered within 24 hours (or whatever time frame is essential), chances are good that your package will arrive on time using autonomous vehicles.
The Invisible Warehouse.
In the same way, Amazon has changed consumer expectations with its two-day shipping policy; we will see companies have to meet consumers’ changing demands regarding pengiriman ekspedisi. One new way this is being achieved is through the invisible warehouse: Instead of warehousing inventory in a traditional facility, some companies choose to use unused space in existing facilities from other companies with excess capacity.
The Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics, software and sensors that enable these objects to connect and exchange data. It’s about connecting physical objects.
The IoT is an extension of your smartphone or tablet because it makes possible an interaction between you and the world around you in real-time; this includes the ability to control things remotely via apps on your phone or computer. For example: if I’m at home with my dogs but want someone else’s help with something meaningful while they’re away on vacation—for example, cleaning up after them—I could use an app on my phone called “DogVac” which would notify me when our furry friends leave any messes behind so we can take care of them together!
Shipping On Demand
Shipping on demand is a new way of doing business. It’s not just about delivering goods faster; it’s about improving the customer experience and reducing costs.
Shipping on demand connects buyers with suppliers at their convenience, allowing them to do so in real time. By eliminating the need for costly intermediaries, shipping on demand can help you save money and make your supply chains more efficient by avoiding unnecessary delays or mistakes that could cost both time and money down the road.
Less Waste and More Efficient Use of Resources
Many of the innovations in the supply chain are directly related to streamlining and simplifying supply chain operations. One of the best ways to improve the flow of goods is to make the process as efficient as possible. This means reducing waste within processes and cutting down on excess costs. Technologies such as blockchain, smart contracts, and data-driven logistics will change how goods are tracked and transported throughout their life cycles. This will help companies that seek to improve efficiencies and reduce business costs. Blockchain technology, for example, is making it easier to securely track goods throughout their supply chains, with very little room for fraud or error. Blockchain will eliminate paper documents and streamline business processes; intelligent contracts will automate trust between parties, and data-driven logistics will help to eliminate waste within processes.
Conclusion
The supply chain is a very fundamental part of the business. It is the infrastructure that interconnects companies, suppliers, and customers. To make the most of this network, you need to be thinking about not just the process of moving goods and services from one place to another but also about ways to improve it and add in more innovation. The next time you look for a shipping partner, think about these innovations in the industry as well.
