___________________________________________________________________________________________ Risk
Management
• Respond quicker to demand All the above-mentioned flexible freight solutions ultimately ensure that companies are better positioned to respond to demand spikes . Logistics are easier to reroute , and companies can take advantage of demand shifts rather than losing out because of them .
• Customized to customers Whether a company is getting goods to individuals or other businesses , customer satisfaction is always a concern , and an agile supply chain makes that far easier to prioritize . It allows companies to offer on-demand delivery and generally be more responsive to customer needs .
• The sustainability angle Sustainability is a valuable point both in terms of customer satisfaction and in maintaining the longevity of any modern supply chain . Getting the most strategic value out of sustainability initiatives , however , requires agility first .
Harnessing technology
Any technology tool that better allows for real-time monitoring of the supply chain opens the opportunity for greater agility . Even something as simple as GPS tracking on shipments ensures that companies always have a clear idea of where goods are , which then allows for speedier and more accurate decision-making in response to market shifts . IoT , alongside machine learning and AI are also altering how the supply chain is approached so that no aspect of the supply chain goes untraced , and adjustments to the supply chain can be enacted quickly .
This combination is what creates true agility in the supply chain . Companies know where everything is and in what state , and they can use that data to inform adjustments . The competitive advantage of this is near endless as it shifts companies away from only operating on a defensive strategy and into a much stronger , more resilient responsiveness . ■
For a list of sources used in this article , please contact the editor .
Nick
Fryer www . sheerlogistics . com
With over a decade of experience in the logistics industry , Nick Fryer is Vice President of Marketing at Sheer Logistics , a leading logistics service provider focusing on data intelligence and analytics . His experience spans markeing , public relations , sales enablement , and M & A at several 3PLs and 4PLs including AFN Logistics , GlobalTranz , and currently Sheer Logistics .
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