How to Purchase the Best SCM Software

1
How to Purchase the Best SCM Software

• For the first time, the spotlight of worldwide
  logistics industry is on India as the global
  logistics industry is poised for growth in
  emerging markets in 2016 as per a survey by the
  2016 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index.
  India holds a special mention as the country with
  the most growth potential, even overtaking China.
  Essa Al-Saleh, President and CEO of Agility
  Global Integrated Logistics, is of the view that
  the fundamentals driving growth remain
  constant a rising middle class with spending
  power, progress in poverty reduction, growing
  populations. Thats why we are still positive on
  the outlook for emerging markets and see them
  driving global growth. In such a buoyant
  scenario, the role of SCM or Supply Chain
  Management is enhanced as Supply Chain Management
  can directly influence and enable the verticals
  of delivery, cost reduction and customer
  satisfaction.

2
Import of SCM Software There is the evident
growth in the logistics sector however for
sustaining this growth, the supply chain sector
in India needs three basic aspects Improvement
in performance, (ii) Provide manpower support
and (iii) Incorporate best global practices
according to KPMG India. And for SCM to function
effectively, an updated SCM software is a key
requirement. In the logistics management bizmeth,
an updated SCM software is integral to growth and
expansion objectives.
Key Factors of SCM Software Broadly speaking,
the SCM software envelops planning and execution
applications of four core areas, viz. Transport
Management System (TMS), Warehouse Management
System (WMS), Procurement and Supply Management
using advanced algorithms for order filling and
tracking status of goods. SCM includes overseeing
the efficient flow of product, information and
finance from supplier to manufacturer to
wholesaler to retailer and eventually to
consumer. SCM software coordinates and integrates
these processes effectively by smooth functioning
of movement of goods from supplier to customer
and back, tracking orders and status of delivery
along with payment schedules and consignment
arrangement. Hence, the software for SCM is more
of an investment for future-ready companies
rather than just an additional requirement for
the company.
3
Selection of SCM Software The market is flooded
with various softwares for SCM. Freightview,
Path guide, Procurify and eBidExchange are a few
common SCM softwares. However, the selection of
the right supply chain software can be like
finding a needle in the haystack unless you
choose the one that matches your specific
requirements. The right software should be an
integrated one that supports you in both
enhancing productivity as well as streamlining
processes. But before you go about the
selection process of software, an essential
pre-requisite is that you should make a
comprehensive list of all the features that you
think are necessary for smooth functioning of
your company, such as value-added processing,
in-built accounting or billing and inventory
control benefits among others. You should also
choose an experienced vendor as it will help in
after-sales service as well. It is important to
explain the nature and scale of your business
(whether your business is regional, national or
global).
4
3 Tips for Software Selection Capability to
Manage Inventory Management at Various Locations
- A cloud-based software can act upon the
information that is fed into it but it doesn't
have the skill for operating at multiple
locations. The ideal software should be able to
handle multi-location operations and inventory
management. For instance, Gati was the first
Indian logistic company to receive ISO 9001
certification, has an EMS that matches its scale
of operations and includes tracking system,
customers facilities, WMS (EbizNet) along with a
full-fledged disaster recovery site and VTS
enabled vehicles. Assimilate the Needs of
Customers and Suppliers The customers and
suppliers have their own set of systems so your
software should be interoperable such that your
processes flow smoothly along with their data
requirements. This holds true for processes and
data within the company as well as this aspect
caters to information flow of SCM. Manufacturer-fo
cused ERP software A centralized ERP software
may be expensive so you should go in for
individual SCM systems. Moreover, the TMS is also
integrated in such systems.
Conclusion So now that you have the tips and
pre-requisites to choose SCM software, make sure
that you select one that maximizes efficiency in
order to sustain the uptick in Indias GDP,
transport infrastructure, e-commerce growth and
initiatives like Make in India. Source
http//scn.sap.com/community/scm/blog/2016/09/2
9/how-to-purchase-the-best-scm-software