We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • Upload your video
  • BLOGS & MORE
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • SCQ Forum
      • Reflections
    • Mobile Apps
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • Upload your video
  • BLOGS & MORE
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • SCQ Forum
      • Reflections
    • Mobile Apps
Home » Does supply chain have a mobile problem?
Forward Thinking

Does supply chain have a mobile problem?

August 29, 2016
Susan Lacefield
No Comments

Although a large majority of companies in the supply chain industry have implemented a mobile website or application, only a few are satisfied with the results, according to a recent survey by mobile application developer PointSource. PointSource defines the supply chain industry as companies that provide assets, services, or supplies to another company within a distribution channel, according to Stephanie Trunzo, chief operating officer and chief digital officer.

Almost 300 marketing and information technology (IT) professionals in the retail, insurance, finance, and supply chain industries responded to the survey, with 19 percent coming from the supply chain industry.

The survey found that 71 percent of respondents classified as being in the supply chain industry have a mobile app and 81 percent have a mobile website (websites designed for small screens, such as those used by smartphones and tablets). Supply chain apps and mobile websites could be used, for example, to keep an accurate record of inventory, track shipments, scan bar codes, or suggest more efficient delivery routes. However, one-fourth of companies in the supply chain industry that have an app or mobile website do not use it to handle everyday tasks and projects, and only one in 10 rated their existing mobile presence as "excellent." The survey results are published in PointSource's "The State of the Mobile Experience" report.

According to the survey, the retail and finance industries are further ahead than the supply chain industry both in terms of developing engaging mobile applications and websites and in creating an overall digital strategy. While it is true that there are many differences between the supply chain industry and the retail and finance industries, Trunzo believes supply chain can learn a lot from how the other two design their mobile applications, especially when it comes to user friendliness.

In general, supply chain organizations are more interested in apps and websites that improve the efficiency and optimization of processes like inventory management, shipment tracking, or field-service management, while retail and finance companies are much more focused on user engagement or client acquisition, says Trunzo. However, she believes that supply chain companies need to take what retailers and finance companies have learned about engaging end customers and apply those techniques to better engage the humans involved in supply chain processes. Well-designed applications and websites can help supply chain participants change their behavior so that they create more or a different kind of value for the overall supply chain, she says.

To better engage supply chain users, the study recommends that companies develop apps that address the top four pain points within the supply chain. According to the survey, these are: managing inventory (identified as a pain point by 54 percent of supply chain respondents), quality assurance (52 percent), inefficient processes (48 percent), and outdated information (33 percent).

In particular, 88 percent of supply chain respondents said they would be interested in applications and mobile websites that helped them with logistics management, which includes such activities as shipment tracking, warehouse management, and load planning. Other top areas of interest include bar-code scanning and storage (69 percent) and inventory-optimization software (58 percent).

The study also recommends that supply chain organizations design applications that are customized to their specific operations and day-to-day needs. ?Additionally, since supply chain employees may be operating in areas with limited Wi-Fi coverage, it is important that all mobile offerings be available offline so that users can upload any captured information once the device is back in range.

Finally, Trunzo says, sometimes companies have a hard time identifying where to start when it comes to their mobile strategy. She recommends building upon the technology they already have in-house. "There are ways to get started where you leverage the existing [legacy] systems that you have and the investments that you have made," she said. "You don't have to flush everything and start over."

Technology
  • Related Articles

    Gartner: Before you dive into digital, be sure you have a strong foundation

    Drones in the supply chain: more than just last-mile delivery

    Modex keynote provides a how-to guide to "disrupting yourself"

Susan Lacefield is Executive Editor of CSCMP’s Supply Chain Quarterly.

Recent Articles by Susan Lacefield

New charitable organization looks to provide funding for pursuing a career in supply chain management

Riders on the storm

The master supply chain builder

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • The 3PL industry: time to reset

  • Resiliency starts with supplier mapping

  • Freight market growth expected to slow in 2021

  • Seizing the helm

  • Retailers designing stores to support inventory and logistics work, not just shopping

Featured Video

6cabd6ef 64df 4460 bb11 e90c2bdea0a5

Identifying Intralogistics Solutions to Fit Your Operation: LinkedIn Live Ep. 4

Viewer Contributed
As technology evolves, the advantages of using semi- and fully automated solutions to increase productivity and address labor shortages are clear. However, before an organization jumps fully into automation, optimization is a key step that must happen first. Intralogistics solutions, such as Raymond’s iWAREHOUSE and...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Warehouse Management System Project Toolkit

  • Solving Talent Management Challenges Now and In the Future

  • Shaping Up Last Mile Delivery to Surpass Customer Expectations

  • Finding the Right Transportation Management Partner

View More

Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

Get Your Subscription
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • E-NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2021. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing