A more integrated system of sales platforms may stand to boost logistics performance. For this to work, businesses can look at the ways they enable applications for different users and focus on direct and simple performance. With the tools of modern web services, enterprises can integrate host data into various platforms in a way that accomplishes similar goals.
Logistics Management recently examined this subject through the lens of the "software convergence" of the supply chain. According to this source, the lack of communication between transportation and warehouse management systems, for example, can lead to delays and inefficiencies that ultimately cost the company money.
Dwight Klappich of Gartner gave the source examples of the difficulties associated with siloed systems. Klappich has reportedly been championing convergence since 2008, and he now says that the key factor is supply chain alignment. Keeping things in order could end up preventing future problems for organizations.
"Businesses can look at the ways they enable applications for different users."
"Things can get out of alignment pretty quickly when you have to start ripping things apart or deal with angry drivers that don't want to wait around all day for an order, or when shippers can't optimize their activities because they're using two separate, functional organizations to get the job done," he said.
The trend toward conversion may also require a new vision of the way the supply chain relates to itself. Last year, a Logistics Viewpoints piece mentioned that convergence will help bring organizations to "the next level" of visibility. This article argued that convergence will continue to promote visibility as logistics networks expand.
These basic principles of breaking down silos can extend to other aspects of an organization as well. With Flynet Viewer, clients have web services that will work well with a number of client applications.