+1 800 967-0030

How The Internet Affects Your Supply Chain

Your supply chain is the pulse of your eCommerce business, from the moment your products are created and shipped your way until you’ve sent them on to their final destinations.

It’s no wonder, then, that some people have found faster, smarter and more connected ways to deal with the problems behind supply chain management and order fulfillment using the Internet of Things (the “IoT”).

According to Inbound Logistics, an estimated 5.5 million new devices are connected to the Internet daily, fundamentally changing the way your supply chain operates. The IoT makes fulfillment more accurate, faster and cheaper, that’s why you want to find a 3rd party logistics (3PL) company who is connected and data-driven.

Where You’ll Find Connected Devices

You may be surprised where these connected devices are already being used.

For example, many 3rd party logistics firms use bar code scanning devices that immediately report information on order fulfillment to a central database. With that data, the fulfillment company in charge of your warehousing and distribution knows exactly where your products are going, how many of which SKU is headed out and even when you’ll need to reorder inventory. But that’s not even the start of where connected devices might show up!

Here are a few other technologies that are increasingly connected:

  • Warehouse robots. Units that work tirelessly 24/7 and don’t even need light to collect items for pick, pack and ship are being implemented in warehouses near you right now. These robots can take inventory and collect items for the shipping floor, giving human packers more time to focus on getting orders out the door.
  • Yard drones. Knowing where your trailers are and what condition they’re in is another vital part of maintaining a supply chain. Yard drones can scan trailers as they come in, locate them in a yard and update yard management systems in real-time, all with minimal human intervention!There’s literally no room for human error since trailers are scanned by the drones as they fly over.
  • Driverless trucks. Although they’re not on the road just yet, driverless trucks are deep into development. The idea is to get more shipping space with fewer drivers, solving the problem of an increasingly contracted driver pool. Drivers would be able to control an additional truck, or potentially a whole fleet, headed to the same port of call.Expanding shipping space like this will ultimately lead to cheaper shipping costs. The entire fulfillment world is watching this tech with bated breath.

Your supply chain is a lot more flexible and intelligent than you think! With so many new devices coming online every day, your supply chain is only getting stronger and faster.

 

March 21, 2017
Share This:

Related Posts

RECENT POSTS

Real-Time Order Tracking Or Bust

Gps tracking map. Track navigation pins on street maps, navigate mapping technology and locate position pin. Futuristic travel gps map or location navigator vector illustration “Where is my order?” “When will my package arrive?” If you are inundated with questions...

First In, First Out Warehousing and Fulfillment

Are you a seasoned inventory manager? If so, the acronym FIFO - which stands for First In, First Out - might be a familiar term to you. Put simply, the items are sold in the order they are received in the store or warehouse. FIFO is the go-to inventory management...

Grow Your Amazon Business With A Standout Listing

Do you sell on Amazon? If so, you are in great company. At the end of 2022, Amazon had over 2 million active sellers worldwide, making it one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the world. Businesses have the opportunity to reach millions of customers in over 180...

Scroll, Click, Buy: How to Sell On Instagram

Do you have an Instagram shop? Instagram Shopping is quickly becoming the preferred way for consumers not only to learn about new brands and products on Instagram, but also to purchase them in just a few simple steps. If you are not already selling directly on...

New Year, New You?

Every year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions, hoping to spark positive change, adopt new habits, or even reinvent themselves. The recurring themes each year include a more active approach to health and fitness, improved finances, better relationships,...