The opportunities to apply robotics and artificial intelligence within the global supply chain are vast. Among these, robotic process automation (RPA) in supply chain management is a key element of supply chain automation.
RPA can be applied to virtually any task, comparable to using a smart assistant in a global platform.
Supply chain leaders and logistics service providers need to know the top 3 ways RPA in supply chain management impacts on productivity and efficiency.
1. RPA in Supply Chain Management Enables True Exception-Based Administration
The premise behind RPA in transportation management is simple. It mirrors actions based on historic and real-time data to replicate the human motions of using a supply chain management platform.
Explained by Carrie White of FreightWaves, “Robotic process automation (RPA) is an intelligent automation software that uses machine learning, natural language processing and artificial intelligence to mimic the rote tasks a human performs on a daily basis, whether it’s reading email or quoting rates. Eventually, RPA technology could provide every broker an assistant to perform lower-level tasks so they can focus on high-level strategy.”
This adds up to allowing staff to focus on higher-priority needs. RPA eliminates the hassle of managing exceptions manually and effectively lowering the strain on resources.
2. RPA Leverages Self-Optimizing Systems to Lower Aggregate Supply Chain Costs
Since RPA runs autonomously and within the background of virtual environments, it can analyze, review, and continuously improve systems and routes. T
This capability has a natural implication of using freight forecasting capabilities and indices, deriving more predictive details about expected time of arrival (ETA), choosing the right mode for a shipment, and more.
As White states, “RPA can be thought of as a tool for workforce optimization, rather than workforce replacement.” It all lowers the total landed cost of freight management and transport.
3. RPA Reduces Mayhem and Securely Shares Data with Supply Chain Partners
A third application of RPA in transportation management involves customer service.
It’s important to also define customer service in two ways. The first form is customer service for the shipment end user. RPA is able to handle status inquiries, complaints, returns management authorizations, and more.
On the other hand, RPA in supply chain can be leveraged by freight management partners, including brokers, forwarders, and other logistics service providers. RPA can measure performance of team members, reduce delays in booking freight, and conserve resources.
It all adds up to more efficient and standardized processes. Dynamic rulesets and algorithms share data between supply chain partners and build more value.
In addition, RPA handles data entry between systems, such as collecting shipment details from an email and submitting it to the TMS.
Draw on the Potential of RPA in Supply Chain Management Now
RPA in supply chain management continues to grow in value and use in the modern supply chain.
As the global supply chain moves closer to a state of full automation and maximum optimization, the ability to apply RPA in transportation becomes a competitive differentiator.
But first, organizations need to implement a comprehensive transportation management platform. MercuryGate TMS helps you apply automation across your transportation management. Download this automation eBook to get started.
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