Page 8 - Logistics News April 2021

Thought Leadership
Visibility is key
By Daniel Dombach, Director EMEA Industry Solutions
Visibility in the supply chain is key given pandemic
repercussions. Prepare your supply chain for new challenges
in the post-COVID era.
THE YEAR 2020 will forever be associated
with a singular event that caused profound
disruption. No sector was left untouched,
although some felt a greater impact than
others. For example, the pandemic is
estimated to have accelerated the growth of
e-commerce by several years, hastening the
shift from brick and mortar to online retail and
generating a sudden surge in demand. The
sheer scale posed an unprecedented – and,
at times, overwhelming – challenge to the
entire supply chain. With the strict lockdowns
and social distancing measures, consumers
turned to the internet as a means of obtaining
necessities from the safety of their homes,
yet they expected the same level of service as
before. In many cases, this proved impossible.
There are many things retailers have
learned from this experience, but one
of the most significant is just how much
technology can help improve the resilience
and robustness of supply chains. It has also
become apparent how numerous hardware
and software solutions can work together to
provide greater visibility, which is an essential
factor in preparing supply chains for the
future.
Embracing the new normal
The COVID-19 pandemic may be subsiding
in some parts of the world, but many of the
changes it has wrought on the e-commerce
landscape are likely to remain. While cross-
country differences and digital divides mean
the adoption of e-commerce is far from
universal, consumers agree that buying online
offers convenience, variety and safety. In turn,
it offers many retailers an additional sales
channel that is well on its way to becoming
6 April 2021 | Logistics News
indispensable. The uncertainty surrounding
virus mutations and possible future epidemic
waves, coupled with the steady growth of the
global e-commerce market, means that supply
chains must adapt to the sustained pressure
of an uncertain climate. They must also take
the necessary precautions to bolster their
ability to withstand additional pressure in the
future. This all starts with a resilient, efficient
and productive warehouse operation.
Preparing the warehouse for whatever
tomorrow may bring
Warehouse operators today face an array of
challenges, including a constant peak period,
a high growth outlook, staffing shortages,
lengthy employee training processes and,
in some cases, outdated hardware and/or
software. In other words, they are already
under tremendous strain without considering
the additional burden of health concerns
resulting from COVID-19 and the associated
spike in parcel volumes. However, there are
solutions to all these problems, and they
can work together to provide the level of
visibility now proving key to the creation and
execution of efficient warehouse operations
and workflows – and the entire supply chain.
Modernising your warehouse
The true first step in maximising the efficiency
of your warehouse is to establish a clear
analysis of objectives, budget and time frame
to determine which investments will yield the
best return and total benefits. Incremental
modernisation will allow your warehouse to
gradually evolve toward greater productivity,
conformity and automation at a rhythm
adapted to your needs. This modernisation