Steering With Skill

In supply chain management, the rules are always changing. Pradeep Agarwal, Senior Director, ERP Cloud, Oracle speaks to us on how cloud computing can facilitate various opportunities in the sector and make the industry future-ready.

- Mrinalini Singh

How important is ERP cloud for the logistics industry?

From streamlining transportation networks to fine-tuning warehouse operations, companies rely on logistics solutions to manage their supply chains, accelerate fulfilment activities, and simplify a wide range of business processes. However, many of today’s logistics applications are based on rigid technologies that can’t adequately support the many interrelated facets of global logistics management, enable supply chains that differ across segments, or properly manage costs to improve business outcomes. These legacy applications are expensive to operate, upgrade, and maintain. Cloud technology is fast becoming the go-to IT model for business leaders. For logistics, it offers the flexibility and visibility to spot opportunities for growth and profit, and then take full advantage of them quickly, securely, and cost-effectively.

What are the key challenges faced by the industry? How does ERP cloud help to face these challenges?

Managing multiple transportation assets while juggling available vendors can be a daunting task. A comprehensive SCM system for transportation management can deliver multiple business benefits. With careful data utilisation, analytics help reduce costs, manage vendor compliance, catch billing errors, negotiate better freight rates, and ultimately improve customer service and profitability. Change is an ever-present fact in today’s digital world. Much of that change is driven by new and innovative technologies that offer further opportunities to digitally transform your supply chain.

How do you think the advent of emerging technologies has affected the industry?