6 Distribution and logistics trends to watch out for

The distribution and logistics industry is growing increasingly more competitive and organizations face various industry challenges. In order to survive and grow, companies need to be able to adapt quickly to the changing marketplace. Changing trends shape the future of the industry and prompt organizations to rely heavily on their business technology to increase agility and streamline business operations. This post will take a look at important trends and how our Microsoft solutions can help distributors and logistics firms overcome any industry challenges.

One of the biggest challenges faced by distribution and logistics companies is accurate and efficient inventory and warehouse management. The sheer volume of items to track often leads to oversights especially when an organization is managing multiple warehouses. Data entry errors lead to inaccuracies in inventory and a lack of visibility exposes organizations to risk. Smart inventory and warehouse management solutions grant organizations real-time visibility into inventory to optimize operations, reducing overstocking and stockouts. With Dynamics 365 solutions from Rand Group you can improve organization within storage facilities, streamline receiving and capacity, expedite docking and shipping, and connect customers and operations.

Benefits of intelligent warehouse and inventory management includes:

• Manage inventory across multiple locations with ease
• Track incoming and outgoing shipments
• Optimize inventory levels and minimize stock-outs
• Reduce shipping costs due to unplanned replenishment
• Automate key processes including warehouse replenishment

Labor shortages were a major factor for distributors and logistics providers in 2021 and the underlying issue is still unresolved, meaning businesses should expect to still face these shortages in 2022 and beyond. In this tight labor market, it may be challenging to find the necessary talent required to ensure operations run smoothly. Maintaining an inadequate workforce results in stagnation of resources, postponed deliveries, and damaged relationships between suppliers and customers. Companies must adopt a strategy to address staff recruitment and adequately train and utilize staff to minimize labor costs.

Organizations can leverage Dynamics 365 to anticipate what types of skills they will need and give them an edge in forecasting job roles that will need filling. Businesses can use this information to deploy the best hiring strategies to avoid delays and minimize hiring costs. Additionally, managers can easily view which resources are available and their current skillsets to identify how best to apply their skills.

Supply chain disruptions are not a new phenomenon, however, the global challenges of the past few years have highlighted the importance of having a resilient supply chain. An organization with a resilient supply chain is prepared to respond to unforeseen challenges and mitigate risks. Organizations can create an agile supply chain through advanced supply chain technology.

Dynamics 365 ERP solutions empower organizations to proactively mitigate supply chain risk by automating processes, integrating systems and data, and increasing visibility using tools such as predictive analysis, custom reporting, and interactive dashboards. Rand Group is your partner to help you implement Dynamics 365 to transform your supply chain operations.

Accurate data is crucial for the success of any business, especially for distributors and logistics firms as the volume of data increases every day. In order to use data gathered from all operations to its full potential, organizations should start by leveraging a powerful ERP solution such as Dynamics 365 and then build on their implementation with reporting and analytics solutions from Rand Group.

With accurate and up-to-date data, you can unlock valuable insights to:

• Maximize productivity and profitability
• Investigate vendor alternatives with information on the best performing suppliers
• Analyze customer buying trends for accurate demand planning and forecasting
• Leverage supply chain data for reliable information on stock visibility, product performance, and product margins
• Provide staff with up-to-date information allowing them to make more profitable decisions

Digital sales are more important than ever in today’s wholesale distribution market as customers are looking for personalized buying experiences. In order to compete and survive against global marketplaces like Amazon, distributors must have an effective ecommerce sales strategy. In order for wholesale distributors to evolve, organizations must prioritize ecommerce and secure digital real estate. Benefit from a digital storefront without capital commitments and experience faster order fulfillment, and transaction protection, and unlock the tools you need to take your business global.

In order to support ecommerce initiatives, distributors can no longer afford for data and workflow gaps by keeping ecommerce separate from other business systems. Integrating your ecommerce operations with your Microsoft ERP solution enables the two systems to share data, improve productivity, and create a single source of truth. Our software engineering team will help you integrate your existing ecommerce solutions with Microsoft ERP or help you find a new ecommerce solution to conduct online sales. In addition, Rand Group also offers web design services to customize the look and feel of your online store.

There is a growing preference amongst buyers for flexible purchasing options amongst multiple channels. Customers want to be able to access services on mobile, web, and physically whenever they like. Not only is the trend prevalent in business to consumer transactions, but it’s also finding its way into business-to-business sales. Customers are wanting to interface on their own time and expect ease and personalization options of omnichannel engagements.

Omnichannel capabilities included in Dynamics 365 empower organizations to instantly connect and engage with customers across different channels. Rand Group can help you implement a solution that creates a powerful omnichannel that improves customer engagement by offering a seamless experience across channels, elevates your customer service, and improves customer retention and sales.

Rand Group is an experienced software solution provider that has been serving clients for over 20 years. We have deep experience working with Dynamics 365 and clients within the distribution and logistics industries. Rand Group will help you define your technology strategy and build custom ERP solutions to address industry challenges.

For more information contact one of our highly experienced professionals today.