Skip directly to search

Skip directly to content

 

The Future of Supply Chain: What’s Next?

 
 

Transportation & Logistics Insights | Brian Estep |
14 June 2022

This Transportation & Logistics (T&L) Insights series is based on research by Levvel, who joined the Endava family in 2021. The team surveyed over 500 US-based companies who procure transportation and logistics services internally and externally to get their views on their challenges, needs, and use of digital technology solutions.

While companies often perceive technology innovation to mean things like high-end robotics, artificial intelligence, and fully autonomous vehicles, there are many elements in the supply chain that can be modernized without requiring great effort or cost, while still providing the competitive edge T&L companies are looking for. In this series, we will present current industry challenges and how digital technology can help reduce friction, enhance efficiency, and provide a better experience for businesses and their customers.

THE ROLE OF A CONTROL TOWER IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN

Over the past years, the inefficiencies in supply chains have gone from being a mild frustration to a massive headache. Analysts say the situation isn’t going to improve on its own anytime soon and may continue well into 2023. While it will take time for the global backlog to subside, manufacturers, retailers, and other companies can take proactive steps to improve how they manage supply chains to increase efficiency.

So how can companies better navigate uncertain supply chains and remain competitive? Modernization. Companies can invest in some of the most advanced initiatives in both physical and digital automation and still find a supply chain prone to blockages and errors. The missing piece is the control tower, a centralized hub that integrates and connects each link within the supply chain.

Think of a transportation and logistics (T&L) control tower like the control tower of an airport. But rather than managing flight plans and juggling air traffic, a T&L control tower provides end-to-end visibility of movements in the supply chain.

Control towers are relatively common, but few are modern enough to handle today’s demands. According to our research, 63% of companies have implemented a control tower, but only 35% have a mid-level or highly functioning control tower. That puts the other two-thirds of companies at a significant disadvantage when managing supply chain issues.

BENEFITS OF A MODERN T&L CONTROL TOWER

Supply chain control towers can be simple in nature or complex and highly functioning, incorporating artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotic process automation (RPA) for robust efficiency.

At the simplest level, a control tower provides visibility throughout the supply chain via emails, spreadsheets, or phone calls. In their most complex form, high-performing control towers are capable of providing true end-to-end visibility in real time, allowing for direct interaction and automated transactions.

In logistics, timing is crucial. Windows for procuring inventory and moving freight can come and go quickly. With a high-functioning supply chain control tower, many manual tasks can be executed autonomously to recognize these momentary opportunities and act on them immediately.

The right control tower integration can improve every aspect of supply chain management, including:

  • Inventory management
  • Visibility in inventory in transit
  • Errors in order fulfillment
  • Reverse logistics infrastructure
  • Routing strategy
  • Visibility in orders and stock
  • Data logging
  • Manual tasks
  • Siloed supply chains


SUPPLY CHAIN TRANSPARENCY AND STAYING COMPETITIVE

Companies that wish to remain competitive in an increasingly demanding market need to focus on integration and visibility across their entire supply chain. With the continued backlogs and bottlenecks in the system, organizations must ensure they are managing their supply chains with total transparency.

The key is the adoption of a robust T&L control tower to manage supply chains for greater transparency and optimal efficiency.


Read our other Transportation & Logistics Insights articles to learn more about how technology can help alleviate industry challenges.

Brian Estep

EVP North America & Global TMTR Lead

Brian is one of the founders of Velocity Partners. Following their merger with Endava in 2018, he took on the role of Head of Sales, TMTR. With extensive experience in technology, starting in 2000, and a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Brian has deep knowledge of software systems and lean/agile processes, which allows him to truly understand the needs of customers and design the best solutions for them alongside his team.

 

Related Articles

  • 17 May 2022

    Advantages of a Yard Management System

  • 19 April 2022

    Digital Automation in the T&L Industry

  • 05 April 2022

    Modernizing the Shipping and Cargo Process

  • 22 March 2022

    Current Challenges in the Transportation & Logistics Industry

  • 08 March 2022

    How to Digitize Warehouses and Distribution Centers

 

From This Author

  • 09 August 2022

    hi, I’m Brian Estep

  • 31 May 2022

    The Future of Autonomous Vehicles in T&L

  • 17 May 2022

    Advantages of a Yard Management System

Most Popular Articles

An Anatomy of the Data-Driven Retail Supply Chain
 

Transportation & Logistics Insights | Jeremy Eaton | 25 May 2023

An Anatomy of the Data-Driven Retail Supply Chain

BNPL Regulation to Protect Consumers and Control Third-party Lenders
 

Banking | Annmarie Mahabir | 23 May 2023

BNPL Regulation to Protect Consumers and Control Third-party Lenders

How Offer and Order Management Systems Are Expanding The Aviation Business Model
 

Mobility | Joachim Zintl | 17 May 2023

How Offer and Order Management Systems Are Expanding The Aviation Business Model

Salut! I’m Adriana Calomfirescu
 

Meet the SME | Adriana Calomfirescu | 16 May 2023

Salut! I’m Adriana Calomfirescu

Hi, I’m David Boast
 

Meet the SME | David Boast | 15 May 2023

Hi, I’m David Boast

The Business Impact of Fan Engagement: How to Leverage Technology to Improve Loyalty
 

Innovation | Robert Milner | 12 May 2023

The Business Impact of Fan Engagement: How to Leverage Technology to Improve Loyalty

Staying Relevant – Why Merchants should Embrace Alternative Payment Methods
 

Payments | Steven Purton | 09 May 2023

Staying Relevant – Why Merchants should Embrace Alternative Payment Methods

How IoT is Changing Insurance
 

Insurance Insights | Vince Francis | 02 May 2023

How IoT is Changing Insurance

A Veteran Game Developer's Perspective on Tool Development
 

Automation | Thomas Bedenk | 26 April 2023

A Veteran Game Developer's Perspective on Tool Development

 

Archive

  • 25 May 2023

    An Anatomy of the Data-Driven Retail Supply Chain

  • 23 May 2023

    BNPL Regulation to Protect Consumers and Control Third-party Lenders

  • 17 May 2023

    How Offer and Order Management Systems Are Expanding The Aviation Business Model

  • 16 May 2023

    Salut! I’m Adriana Calomfirescu

  • 15 May 2023

    Hi, I’m David Boast

  • 12 May 2023

    The Business Impact of Fan Engagement: How to Leverage Technology to Improve Loyalty

  • 09 May 2023

    Staying Relevant – Why Merchants should Embrace Alternative Payment Methods

  • 02 May 2023

    How IoT is Changing Insurance

  • 26 April 2023

    A Veteran Game Developer's Perspective on Tool Development

  • 24 April 2023

    How Digital Ecosystems Enhance the Healthcare Experience

  • 21 April 2023

    Green machines: how tech can help companies hit Net Zero targets

  • 20 April 2023

    The Role of People and Technology in the Future of Underwriting

  • 19 April 2023

    Media 2030: Why Advertisers and Publishers Are Racing To Find New Strategies

  • 18 April 2023

    Alright, I’m Adrian Sutherland

  • 14 April 2023

    How Synthetic Data Could Solve The Patient Privacy Dilemma

  • 11 April 2023

    Payments makes the world go round! How banks can get creative

  • 06 April 2023

    Higher Fidelity: Good Outcomes and Harnessing the Challenge of FCA's Consumer Duty

  • 05 April 2023

    AI in Pharma: How Machine Learning is Revolutionising Every Step in Drug Development

  • 04 April 2023

    Hello! I’m Leane Collins

  • 31 March 2023

    The Dos and Don’ts of Successful Carve-Outs in Private Equity

  • 30 March 2023

    Cage of Reason: FCA's new Consumer Duty heralds the rise of the 'Reasonable Insurer'

  • 28 March 2023

    A legal view on the ownership and future of AI-generated works

  • 24 March 2023

    Championing Women in Tech

  • 23 March 2023

    5 Ways Capital Markets Firms Can Ensure Resilient Operations to Improve Credibility and Efficiency

  • 15 March 2023

    Buenas! I’m Leticia Chajchir

  • 14 March 2023

    4 Ways to Improve Customers’ E-Commerce Search Experience

  • 28 February 2023

    4 Healthcare Innovations That Can Benefit People and Profit

  • 21 February 2023

    Hey, I’m Lewis Brown

  • 17 February 2023

    Top Considerations for Financial Services Providers Entering the Cross-Border Payments Space

  • 13 February 2023

    Better Together: Harnessing the Power of Digital Ecosystems

  • 09 February 2023

    What to Include in a Customer Re-Engagement Content Library

  • 07 February 2023

    Supercharging Wealth Management with Hyper-personalisation

  • 02 February 2023

    How Innovating the Insurance Customer Journey Creates a Competitive Advantage

  • 30 January 2023

    G’day, I’m David Marsh

  • 26 January 2023

    Empowering Underwriting and Unlocking Revenue with Legacy Insurance Data Sets

  • 24 January 2023

    Four Stakeholders Who Win the Most When Healthcare Innovates

  • 23 January 2023

    Journey to the Centre of the Cloud with AWS – Part 3

  • 20 January 2023

    Journey to the Centre of the Cloud with AWS – Part 2

  • 18 January 2023

    Journey to the Centre of the Cloud with AWS – Part 1

  • 17 January 2023

    The 4 Most Common Mistakes in Retail Site Design

  • 13 January 2023

    Boost and bolster your innovation. Three tips to help get it to the next level.

  • 10 January 2023

    5 Questions in Smart Energy That Will Define the Net Zero Transition

We are listening

How would you rate your experience with Endava so far?

We would appreciate talking to you about your feedback. Could you share with us your contact details?