How Internet of Things is Transforming Supply Chain Management

When we look at all the steps that happen in a process within Supply Chain Management, a lot of data is being captured from the time it's a raw material until it reaches the customer. Here's a detailed journey:

Raw Material to Warehouse: Initially, raw materials are brought into a warehouse.
Manufacturing Shop Floor: These materials then move to the manufacturing shop floor.
Warehouse Storage: Once finished, they return to the warehouse for storage.
Transport to Customer: The goods are shipped out on a truck to the customer, sometimes involving complex logistics like transportation via a ship to another country, followed by another truck to another warehouse, and finally reaching the customer.

Given the multitude of touchpoints, tracking the exact location of raw materials or finished goods becomes quite challenging. This is where the Internet of Things (IoT) can be extremely valuable. With devices scattered throughout the supply chain capturing data, it now allows for real-time visibility in ways that were previously impossible.

Keywords

Supply Chain Management
Raw Material
Warehouse
Manufacturing Shop Floor
Transport Logistics
Internet of Things (IoT)
Real-time visibility

FAQ

Q1: How does IoT improve supply chain management? A1: IoT devices capture data at various touchpoints within the supply chain, providing real-time visibility and streamlined tracking of materials and goods from raw material to the customer.

Q2: What are the key touchpoints in a supply chain? A2: Key touchpoints include the raw material stage, initial warehouse storage, manufacturing shop floor, return to warehouse, and the final transport to the customer.

Q3: What challenges in supply chain management can IoT help resolve? A3: IoT helps in resolving challenges related to the tracking and visibility of materials and products throughout the supply chain, reducing uncertainties and inefficiencies.