Digital transformation in procurement involves creating new services, processes, and products. However, to offer these offerings, business organizations should share assets and information in ways, which were off-limits before. For instance, digitized services might need competitors to share assets, like warehouse space.
That, in turn, means business organizations may have to change how they manage and forge relationships with different other companies in the industry to facilitate new agreements and alliances.
According to experts at Gibson Consulting, it also requires managers liable for establishing relationships in the supply chain, like supply managers or account managers, to adopt the boundary-spanning mindset so as to facilitate trust, experimentation, and collaboration across organization boundaries.
Challenges in the Supply Chain
Although the current situation of the economy has contributed to the digitization adoption in procurement, it has well brought about a lack on the ground. This is a revelation, which forced important roles in IT in the management of the supply chain. These challenges are seen in the following:
- Labor and material shortages
- Port congestion
- Limitations in the demanding forecasting
- Increased freight costs
Why Digital Transformation in the Supply Chain Matters
Digital transformation in the procurement and supply chain entails the process of using and integrating technological advancement for different operations, from making products to designing, procuring parts, and sourcing raw materials.
Digital transformation comes in handy in decision-making. With smart supply chain management, your business can integrate different processes or aspects and access data. This way, your business will reduce monetary losses and make correct decisions.
Through digital transformation, you can also improve accuracy in the supply chain. This, in turn, will get more work done, boost accuracy, and improve productivity.
How Technology Shapes Procurement
Digital procurement is not all bout mitigating risks. It might be a source of gaining a competitive edge, too, by shaping procurement and supply chain in the following ways:
1. Digital Thread Formation
A digital thread refers to a framework of communication that involves sharing information with data consumers downstream and upstream. This helps to create a feedback look constantly. Apart from connecting systems and data, the digital thread also requires integrating people and workflows.
2. Improved Visibility
When compared to traditional procurement, digital supply chains significantly provide more visibility to its elements as well as moving parts. Business organizations may get visibility into the performance of suppliers, enabling them to identify gaps, which might cause disruptions and address them.
3. Steps Involved in the Digital Transformation
Many business organizations have realized the importance of having agile and resilient supply chains to remain competitive and succeed in the industry.
Developing supply chain transformation strategies is important. And thus, business organizations looking to transform their supply chains digitally can adopt the below steps:
- Automate the process of planning
- Define your vision
- Analyze the existing resources and systems
- Leverage a cloud-based solution
- Use analytics and data
The Takeaway
The above covered trends have many implications for employees, business leaders, and supply chain management. In order to ascertain workers remain relevant and productive in driving digital transformation forward, cross-training and upskilling workers will be vital.