Every supply chain is different, but there are a number of common qualities that high-velocity ones have. Here are some of the traits you’ll encounter in a fast, optimized, and high-velocity supply chain.
Internal procedures have been streamlined and documented.
Internal procedures in high-velocity supply chains are streamlined to work together effectively. These methods are well-documented to keep transparency and promote collaboration across all parties. This reduces confusion and miscommunication, which can lead to delays, faults, or backlogs in the supply chain.
Real-time supply chain monitoring
Your team should be able to access real-time information on any part of the supply chain so that individuals can react swiftly to problems.
Invest in technologies and partnerships that allow you to track inventory levels, order volume, transportation speeds for fulfillment and distribution centers, and warehouse efficiency on a minute-to-minute basis, as well as offering critical data and metrics at a glance.
When you have this amount of visibility, you’ll be able to better optimize for speed because you’ll have a lot more control over supply chain performance.
When it comes to supply chain strong partnerships and supplier links are important
Even if you sell your products online, you’ll almost always have to deal with numerous third-party partners, such as vendors, distributors, carriers, and logistics service providers. This increases uncertainty in your supply chain because any delays with one partner may severely impact efficiency.
While this is beyond your control, working closely with your partners, suppliers, and other critical stakeholders may provide you the visibility you need to plan ahead of time.
Businesses with high-velocity supply chains frequently form mutually advantageous connections with their suppliers and delivery partners. This encourages suppliers to notify them if there is a production shutdown or delivery capacity restrictions that might disrupt the chain – and it may even save you money!
The ability to regulate the flow of items quickly and easily
Customers requiring more products or services, those who have limited storage space and value per square foot, and people seeking to save money by buying in bulk are just a few examples of consumers that shop online. Online retailers must also be able to react quickly to fluctuations in client demand in order to sustain and grow their businesses over time.
They can do this because they use their warehouse management systems (WMS) to automatically match work in process inventory with open orders. This allows them to keep a lean supply chain while reducing waste at the production stage, as well as minimize obsolete stock. When consumer demand increases, they’re also able to meet it promptly.
Customers are happy with timely delivery of goods.
Ecommerce companies with well-oiled supply chains can keep up with customers, ensuring that both inbound and outbound logistics are executed smoothly. Speedy back-end logistics processes certainly help to speed things up, but high-velocity firms pay greater attention to last-mile operations in order to ensure that the customer receives the correct delivery on time
Getting client orders out the door in less than two days also helps you get your inventory out of warehouses or fulfillment centers, avoiding pileups, taking up space, and exploding expenses that eat into profits.
Outsourcing this portion of your ecommerce operations to a reputable 3PL can assist you attain the speed you require to expand your business if your operations are unable to keep product flowing or deliver on time.