All companies in the freight and logistics business use technology to some extent. Those that use technology beyond the basics are, however, few in number. Many still use old and outdated software systems that barely serve their purpose.
Over the years, the global freight and logistics market has become increasingly unpredictable. To stay competitive, companies need to adjust quickly to new market conditions. Under these conditions, the ability to have flexible business processes, operations and sustain information flow as well as predict and control events have become vital for a company’s survival and success.
The need for companies to manage their resources, processes and information has grown substantially. Most large and mid-size companies have complex organizational structures. Companies also have to deal with their partners in a global supply chain and make available 24/7 continuous flow of data and information.
Information is power. A critical capability that modern companies need is the foresight and information to neutralize any threats or obstacles before they disrupt the business.
The introduction of enterprise resource planning (ERP) brought in a new phase of digital transformation in the industry. Why does your business need an ERP?
ERP automates and integrates your entire business departments – from operations, finance, and sales and marketing to customer service – under a single platform. It streamlines your processes, increasing efficiency, visibility and profitability.
A next-generation ERP gives you information with the advantage of visibility across the organization, customers and partners, giving a company complete control over processes.
ERP provides actionable intelligence that enables prevention of operational and financial setbacks in the business and makes it more responsive. It also brings about more transparency and accountability. Other means of information such as MIS reports can help in analysis of events but only after they have occurred.
With an ERP you can manage sales and marketing right from campaigns to client acquisition covering the entire life cycle and keep track of customer interactions and team effectiveness to ensure you no opportunity to grow the business is missed.
ERP covers air and sea freight forwarding, transportation and warehouse operations, delivering comprehensive functionality and capabilities that help power operations. It integrates a full-fledged accounting system with operations and sales, and facilitates easy management of credits, cash flow, payment cycle and tax compliance, enabling greater financial control.
ERP systems are built on a centralized database under a single platform that consolidates entire business operations into an enterprise-wide environment. ERP system integrates people, information and processes allowing companies to gain better control of the administrative and operational environment.
Given the many advantages ERP brings, a freight and logistics business can only ignore the adoption of such a system at its own peril.
