Supply Chain Management: How to optimise it, and why it's more crucial than ever.

In the wake of globally disruptive events like the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, there is arguably more pressure than ever before to manage supply chains so that they stay resilient and run smoothly.

This is where SAP, and its extensive suite of supply chain management solutions, can offer a helping hand.

Perhaps the most important aspect of supply chain management is planning – mapping out what the supply chain will actually look like, and how it can adapt to changing circumstances. Organisations can harness SAP’s tools to create accurate forecasts in terms of supply, demand, product replenishment, product depreciation, and other crucial planning functions.

SAP’s Extended Warehouse Management can help organisations manage inflow and outflow of goods, while also helping them track and trace the locations of those goods within the warehouse.

On the manufacturing side, organisations can use SAP Manufacturing Integration and Intelligence to gain visibility into their manufacturing processes in real-time (the intelligence aspect).

And when it comes to managing logistics operations the SAP, Logistics Business Network is an open network that allows business partners to exchange important documents, interact transparently, and generally collaborate on business matters.

With so many different SAP products and services available (and this is only a small sample), it’s important that organisations make the right choice for the business.

At our recent Supply Chain Management SIG, AWS explained how data drives and optimises Amazon’s supply chain, helping it manage perhaps the most complex supply chain operation in the world.

SAP’s Matt Gibley was also on hand to discuss of advanced technologies within SAP’s Integrated Business Planning system, while SAP’s Paul Smith discussed how companies can practice intelligent procurement with S/4HANA, as well as the latest innovations in S/4HANA procurement.

The event also highlighted how SAP user organisations can make their supply chain management practises more sustainable – which is front of mind for many businesses and consumers.

Being able to automate and optimise supply chains is becoming ever more important in a world that is more interconnected and unpredictable than ever. Make sure to follow our Supply Chain Management SIG for all the latest advice and insight.