SUPPLY CHAIN

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Man Over Machine: Redefining Supply Chain Integration
Man Over Machine: Redefining Supply Chain Integration 948 660 Xcelpros Team

Introduction

We used to think automation would run the show. Replace the routine, predict the outcome, and eliminate the margin for error. That was the pitch – and for a while, it seemed good enough.

But five years amidst global disruptions and the imperative for resilience, we know better. Supply chain automation hasn’t removed complexity; it’s just moved. What’s changed is not the tools, but our understanding of how to use them to build truly adaptive and robust supply chains, a shift emphasized by leading industry experts.

We’ve learned that successful automation isn’t about machine over man. It’s about building systems that are responsive to the way people work, systems that support better decisions, earlier action, and clearer context across the supply chain.

What Automation Used to Mean (and Why It’s No Longer Enough)

The first wave of automation, which took root in the early 2000s and scaled rapidly through the 2010s, focused on individual tasks. Businesses automated picking, packing, approvals, and reporting. Barcode scanners, robotic arms, and RPA tools became common in warehouses and on shop floors. Dashboards were introduced to surface insights, but most systems still ran independently.

By 2018, adoption had matured. Many companies had automated large parts of their operations, but what they gained in efficiency, they often lost in visibility. Processes moved faster, but they didn’t necessarily move together. Tools functioned well within their silos, but they rarely communicated across them.

Then came the last five years, a period of unprecedented volatility that forced supply chains to re-examine more than just tools. Automation became a necessity, but the limits of isolated systems became painfully clear. Delayed shipments, quality issues, inventory mismatches – these weren’t caused by bad tech, but by disconnected systems lacking the end-to-end visibility that firms like Accenture and McKinsey now champion as critical for navigating modern challenges.

The missing piece wasn’t more features. It was alignment. The ability to connect real-time inventory, production capacity, supplier status, and customer commitments into a shared understanding. One that gave planners, QA teams, and logistics operators the same source of truth at the same time.

That’s the level of automation that’s finally coming into focus. Not more automation. Smarter automation that’s built to work together.

Human Intelligence Behind Integration

There’s a growing realization that automation is not the goal. Integration is.

Today’s most effective supply chains aren’t running on the most cutting-edge AI or robotics. They’re just running on systems that work together. Systems that close the loop between operations, planning, compliance, and customer needs without drowning people in alerts or overengineering the workflow.

The real differentiator isn’t machine intelligence. It’s human intelligence: data literacy, analytical capabilities, and adaptability to know where to place automation, how to embed checks and balances, and when to hand control back to a person. This underscores the critical need for continuous workforce transformation, a priority echoed by firms like PwC in their ‘New world. New skills.’ initiatives

Some of the most impactful gains we’ve seen weren’t from installing new tools. They came from simply connecting the right ones. This included things like letting a quality issue in production automatically trigger a reroute upstream or giving logistics teams real-time access to the same supply constraints as planning, so no one is working in the dark.

That’s not just automation. That’s integration that reflects how people actually need to work together.

MES & Compliance in Pharma & Chemicals

In highly regulated industries like pharmaceuticals and chemicals, integration isn’t just about speed or cost. It’s about traceability, auditability, and risk mitigation. This is where Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) come into play.

An MES sits between the shop floor and the enterprise layer (ERP). It tracks every step of production, from raw material intake to finished goods, capturing quality checks, deviations, batch history, and operator input along the way.

Historically, MES was seen as a standalone compliance tool used to generate batch records or satisfy audit trails. But as automation and supply chain integration evolve, MES is becoming more than just a recordkeeper. It’s becoming a real-time control point.

Here’s What’s Changing in Supply Chain Integration

  • Automated data capture

    Replaces manual logs, reducing human error and accelerating batch review cycles.

  • MES-to-ERP integration

    Now means that a failed quality check can instantly notify procurement, QA, and logistics, triggering proactive steps instead of waiting for end-of-line reconciliation.

  • Compliance actions

    Are being embedded directly into workflows – not added afterward. Whether it’s triggering an environmental hold, escalating a temperature excursion, or sending an alert to a regulator, automation is acting as both a watchdog and a safeguard.

This shift has a broader impact: it changes how companies think about compliance. No longer a separate function, compliance becomes part of the operational rhythm – visible, traceable, and actionable as events unfold. That’s a significant cultural change for pharma and chemical firms that have traditionally separated production from oversight.

When automation is integrated with MES and broader systems, what emerges is a closed-loop feedback environment. Compliance is not just documented but assured in real time, and supply chain risk is mitigated before it materializes. This holistic approach, championed by firms like PwC for its integration with ESG, also enables robust tracking for the growing imperative of sustainability.

Smart Doesn’t Mean Complex

One mistake we’ve seen – and made – is assuming the advanced the tool, the better the outcome. But integration isn’t about sophistication; it’s about clarity. Solutions like digital control towers, implemented by firms such as McKinsey and PwC, exemplify this, simplifying complex data to connect just the right points for actionable insights.

We’ve helped teams replace overly complex workflows with simpler, automated flows that connect just the right data points:

  • A mid-sized manufacturer linked supplier updates directly to production schedule forecasts. They didn’t overhaul their system. They just made the right connection.
  • A pharmaceutical warehouse used QR code scans to trigger temperature-controlled packaging decisions. No overbuilding. Just integration where it matters most.

Even the technical enablers like improved bandwidth, better data sync, and more stable infrastructure don’t matter if the flow of information doesn’t reach the people who need it, when they need it.

This is where modern integration shines; not in automation that removes humans, but in tools that help them respond faster, plan better, and make decisions with confidence.

What the Future Holds for Automation Integration

We’re entering a phase where automation is no longer limited to predefined workflows. AI agents are beginning to navigate more dynamic challenges like rebalancing orders, interpreting exceptions, and suggesting new routes. But none of that works in isolation.

These agents need context. True supply chain intelligence comes from integrated systems that connect planning logic, compliance rules, customer commitments, and operational bandwidth. This requires a digital-first mindset and often, a strategic ecosystem of partners – from leading consulting firms guiding transformation to financial enablers like BNY Mellon optimizing cash flow – to truly optimize the entire flow.

Even small businesses are starting to see value. Not in massive system overhauls, but in plugging automation into the right touchpoints – approvals, fulfillment, reconciliation – and giving people the support to move faster with less risk.

The companies that win the next phase of supply chain innovation won’t be the ones with the most automation. They’ll be the ones with the clearest integration where systems, processes, and people align.

Because Automation alone can move parts. But supply chain integration moves the whole – across plants, systems, and people. And the future belongs to companies that treat supply chain integration not as IT architecture – but as a business advantage.

Ready to move beyond disconnected tools and siloed systems?

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Strengthening Supply Chain Processes in 2025
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Strengthening Supply Chain Processes in 2025: From Visibility to Predictive Resilience
Strengthening Supply Chain Processes in 2025: From Visibility to Predictive Resilience 950 661 Xcelpros Team

Updated for 2025 | Informed by real client outcomes, multi-departmental input, and the tools transforming regulated manufacturing.

The Supply Chain No Longer Needs to Catch Up. It Needs to Stay Ahead

Not long ago, “strengthening the supply chain” often meant shoring up weak links, adding safety stock, or digitizing the occasional process. But underneath it all, the operating model remained reactive, responding to demand shifts, supplier inconsistencies, or QA bottlenecks.

That approach is no longer sufficient.

In 2025, chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers aren’t just asking how to make their supply chains more efficient. They’re asking how to make them intelligent. They want systems that can sense pressure before it breaks something, workflows that course-correct without human delay, and supplier networks that don’t just report risk – but respond to it.

This evolution didn’t happen overnight. It’s been forged through lived pain points, boardroom recalibrations, and lessons learned the hard way. But the shift is clear: resilience now means readiness.

Strength Redefined: More Than Just Stability

Today, supply chain “strength” isn’t about holding firm. It’s about moving forward with precision – under increasing pressure.

The most progressive manufacturers we work with aren’t just digitizing – they’re rethinking how decisions get made, tracked, and corrected. They’re integrating root cause analysis into operational planning. They’re shifting from monthly KPIs to real-time control towers. They’re codifying tribal knowledge into cross-functional playbooks that scale.

Resilience today is designed, not delegated. And it shows how teams respond to failure: faster, together, and with fewer silos.

Why This Matters in Pharma and Chemical Manufacturing

One pharmaceutical client implemented predictive planning layered onto its ERP and MES platforms, enabling earlier detection of QA delays and production bottlenecks. Within nine months, unplanned shipment adjustments dropped by 37%, and batch release timelines improved by an average of 2.3 days – primarily by eliminating manual QA handoffs.

Another client, facing repeated delays from Tier-2 suppliers, used segmentation tools to uncover hidden geographic clustering risks. After rebalancing their sourcing model, they achieved a 14-day reduction in average order fulfillment cycles during high-volume months, particularly during seasonal demand spikes.

These aren’t isolated wins. They represent a broader shift from manual reaction to intelligent prevention.

In pharma, a two-day acceleration in batch release doesn’t just improve time-to-market, it reduces cold chain risk and protects patient timelines. In chemicals, a 14-day fulfillment gain during peak season means better SLAs, stronger customer confidence, and less reliance on costly air freight workarounds.

These shifts directly impact the two things every boardroom cares about: margin protection and reputational risk.

The Tools Once Promised Are Now Driving the Future

The digital promises of 2020; automation, integration, real-time visibility – are no longer in R&D. In 2025, they’re mission-critical enablers for high-performing supply chains.

And they’re not just available. They’re working.

  • AI-powered planning engines

    Now help manufacturers reschedule production and procurement automatically, in response to real-time data from QA inspections, line performance, and transportation bottlenecks. Instead of waiting for a planner to rerun a forecast, the system adjusts proactively, helping avoid bottlenecks before they cascade.

  • End-to-end ERP-MES-QMS integration

    Means quality events no longer exist in isolation. A failed batch, for example, can now trigger sourcing checks, inventory reallocation, and supplier alerts automatically. This removes the delays and manual gaps that once slowed down release cycles.

  • Vendor segmentation models

    Don’t just evaluate supplier pricing or delivery speed. They use ESG metrics, geographic risk scores, and real-time performance data to identify which suppliers are adding long-term risk, and which are enabling agility. Leading procurement teams are using these models to shift from reactive buying to dynamic, value-first sourcing.

  • Generative AI assistants

    (Ai Agents) have moved beyond marketing copy. In pharma and chemicals, they’re now summarizing supplier audit reports, generating draft SOPs from validated templates, and flagging potential risks during planning or procurement. Teams are using them as digital copilots, not to replace roles, but to eliminate hours of low-value work.

Together, these tools are doing what dashboards and manual trackers never could: They’re helping supply chain leaders replace lagging KPIs with live intelligence and build supply chains that sense, adapt, and respond in real time.

The Human Shift Is Just as Crucial

Technology alone won’t fix brittle supply chains. In fact, one of the biggest takeaways from our client work is that the organizations that saw the most transformation didn’t start with tech – they started with mindset.

They stopped treating late shipments or missed orders as isolated incidents and started treating them as symptoms of disconnected systems, outdated planning logic, or lost confidence in the process.

Procurement leaders were no longer willing to “just bulk-order” to stay safe. Production managers stopped relying solely on institutional workarounds. Teams stopped working in silos and started operating from a single, shared version of the truth.

That’s what strengthening a supply chain really looks like in 2025.

The strongest supply chains we’ve seen didn’t get there by deploying more software. They started with one hard truth: fragmented mindsets lead to fragmented outcomes.

Senior leadership had to sponsor integrated thinking – tying QA, procurement, operations, and planning to shared metrics.

They used value-stream mapping sessions to expose hidden handoffs. They implemented change champions inside planning and plant ops. They redefined success as early detection, not damage control.

When mindsets shift from “fix the issue” to “prevent the pattern,” transformation sticks.

Looking Ahead: What Strength Will Mean Tomorrow

If 2020 taught us that supply chains could break, the years since have taught us how they should bend. Strength is no longer about bracing for impact. It’s about building systems that stay agile, learn fast, and protect downstream processes – and the people they serve – from upstream risk.

And in pharma and chemicals, this agility doesn’t just win business. It protects lives.

The future belongs to supply chains that are not just visible, but predictive. Not just resilient, but responsive. Not just digital, but intelligent.

Ready to Build Yours?

If your teams are still reacting to issues instead of anticipating them, it’s time to rethink what your supply chain is capable of.

Let’s explore how XcelPros helps manufacturers in regulated industries build intelligent, integrated, and audit-ready operations that deliver when it counts most.

→ Talk to us about predictive supply chain modernization

Let’s map what readiness looks like for your business before the next disruption hits.

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On-Time Delivery in 2025: Still the KPI That Defines Operational Trust
On-Time Delivery in 2025: Still the KPI That Defines Operational Trust 950 661 Xcelpros Team

Last updated 2025 — backed by new analyst insights, supply chain practitioner feedback, and system-level learnings.

When we first published this blog in 2018, On-Time Delivery (OTD) was already a well-established KPI. It was simple. Clear. Measurable. And it exposed one universal truth: if you can’t deliver what you promised, on the date you promised, you lose trust.

That hasn’t changed.

What has changed is everything around it: supply chain velocity, system interoperability, labor volatility, and customer expectations—especially in industries like chemicals and pharmaceuticals where batch-level traceability and regulatory accountability come with every shipment. OTD hasn’t faded into the background. In fact, in the age of AI-powered planning, it’s quietly become even more valuable.

OTD didn’t fade. It evolved.

But the way we calculate it, act on it, and fix it? That’s evolving.

Why OTD Still Matters—And Always Will

At its core, OTD is a signal of supply chain health. It reflects planning accuracy, cross-team collaboration, and executional strength. If you’re consistently late, it’s rarely a symptom in isolation. It points to broader, systemic disconnects—between procurement and production, sales and logistics, or planning and reality.

For industries managing tight margins and heavy compliance burdens, being late isn’t just about losing goodwill. It can mean rejected shipments, regulatory scrutiny, or even production shutdowns. And for your highest-value customers—the ones contributing 70% of your revenue—the bar is even higher. Miss once, and they escalate. Miss twice, and they start exploring alternatives.

What’s Different Now?

Since 2020, the very definition of “on time” has been reexamined. The pandemic exposed how brittle our just-in-time models were. And while many organizations have recovered, the scars are still visible in the form of fragmented planning systems, tribal knowledge workarounds, and a growing reliance on manual workarounds when visibility fails.

Today, OTD is no longer just a logistics metric—it’s a business continuity indicator.

Here’s what’s changed:

Speed of demand fluctuations.

Volatile order patterns are now the norm, not the exception. Manual planning processes can’t keep up.

Supplier variability.

Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers remain a blind spot for many. Missed lead times upstream lead to missed deliveries downstream.

Data overload without insight.

Teams have access to more data than ever—but without integration across ERP, MRP, and production systems, that data is often unusable when it’s needed most.

Expectation inflation.

Amazon-like service expectations have reached B2B. A 90% OTD rate is no longer good enough in many sectors.

According to a 2024 study by Supply Chain Quarterly, 64% of manufacturers surveyed say OTD is harder to achieve now than it was five years ago—despite having more tools at their disposal.

Managing OTD in a Modern Supply Chain: What It Looks Like Today

In the past, improving OTD was a game of operational cleanup. You’d look at your last 100 late orders, investigate root causes, and fix the process gaps. That still matters—but it’s not enough.

Now, the conversation starts earlier and runs deeper.

What Leading Manufacturers Are Doing Differently

  1. Shifting from reactive to predictive.

    AI-driven planning tools now monitor real-time inventory levels, supplier performance, and production bottlenecks. Instead of waiting for a late delivery to occur, teams are alerted the moment a deviation is likely. A delay in quality clearance? A deviation in material yield? A production stoppage two machines away? Smart systems flag it before it becomes a missed delivery.

    A delay in quality clearance today becomes a missed delivery tomorrow—unless your systems see it first.

  2. Connecting systems for end-to-end visibility.

    Manual handoffs between planning, quality, and logistics functions introduce latency. Modern supply chains use connected ERP-MES-QMS architectures, with centralized dashboards that expose blind spots instantly. These dashboards now power proactive interventions—not just reports after the fact.

  3. Building resilience into planning parameters.

    Safety stock levels, reorder points, and batch scheduling are being recalibrated using data models trained on historical disruptions, not just average demand. These models account for lead-time variability, labor availability, and even weather patterns that impact transport windows.

What the Data Shows

At XcelPros, we revisited over two dozen OTD-related client engagements across pharma and chemical verticals since 2021. The patterns were striking:

  • 78% OTD – average for companies with disconnected planning & QMS systems.
  • +15 pts avg to 93% – average OTD improved from 78% to 93% within 6–8 months
  • 30% fewer late-stage delays – for organizations that adopted barcode/RFID during high-volume periods.

It’s not just about doing the basics better. It’s about upgrading the definition of “basic.”

But It’s Not Just About the Tools

Yes, the right systems are critical—but mindset matters just as much. Organizations still stuck in legacy workflows often treat OTD failures as isolated incidents. In reality, they’re signals that trust in planning systems has eroded.

We’ve worked with production leads who bypass MRP entirely. Procurement heads who bulk-order to “play it safe.” Shipping managers who manually re-sequence deliveries in disconnected systems. Not because they’re reckless—but because they’ve been burned before.

It’s tribal knowledge stepping in where systems fall short. But while it may save the day short-term, it doesn’t scale—or prevent recurrence.

To improve OTD today, leaders must reestablish confidence in systems. That means fixing upstream data quality, reinforcing training on SOPs, and ensuring feedback loops between what was planned, what happened, and why.

From Legacy KPI to Live Indicator

On-time delivery has stood the test of time—not because it’s easy to measure, but because it reflects everything behind the curtain. Planning quality. System trust. Team coordination. And customer accountability.

What OTD Means in 2025

But in 2025, OTD isn’t just a reflection of past performance—it’s a live indicator of what’s working across your supply chain, and what’s not. That makes it more than a metric. It makes it a mandate.

If your teams are still relying on disconnected workflows, tribal knowledge, or delayed reports to manage on-time delivery—there’s a better way. One that doesn’t just improve fulfillment percentages, but creates predictability your customers can count on.

OTD Modernization Starts Here

Still managing OTD through retroactive reports or siloed systems?

Let’s talk about modernizing with AI-powered visibility, real-time coordination, and traceable delivery performance.

I want to talk

How to Build a Resilient Supply Chain
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How to Build a Resilient Supply Chain in Today’s Volatile Global Economy
How to Build a Resilient Supply Chain in Today’s Volatile Global Economy 800 484 Xcelpros Team

A CXO Playbook to Minimize Risk, Maximize Visibility, and Act Before the Next Disruption Hits

Global supply chains are still under pressure halfway through 2025 and few expect stability anytime soon. According to PwC, 91% of supply chain leaders are rethinking their strategies in response to geopolitical volatility. McKinsey emphasizes that resilience, agility, and sustainability are now core imperatives—not just competitive advantages. This shift reflects a deeper operational priority: to build supply chains that withstand disruption while protecting profitability and long-term trust.

From shifting trade policies and tariffs to renewed disruptions in the Red Sea, volatility continues to reshape the landscape. The pressure is constant, even if the source keeps changing. Supply chain resilience, once considered a strategic edge, is now a baseline expectation for protecting profitability and earning long-term trust.

Organizations that once prioritized efficiency above all else are now re-engineering for adaptability and risk tolerance—especially in light of recent geopolitical shifts, like renewed Red Sea disruptions and evolving trade tensions. In this update, we outline actionable steps to assess and strengthen your supply chain so it’s equipped to respond to today’s volatility—and whatever comes next.

Quick Takeaways: How to Build a Resilient Supply Chain

  • Resilience means absorbing disruption without losing momentum
  • Use real-time data for visibility and faster decisions
  • Diversify suppliers to avoid regional overexposure
  • Automate workflows to reduce manual risk
  • Model disruptions before they happen

What Is Supply Chain Resilience and Why Does It Matter in 2025?

Before you can build resilience, you need to understand where the cracks are. Most global supply chains operate under stress—whether it’s shifting trade rules, sudden port closures, supplier disruptions, or demand spikes. These aren’t rare events—they’re standard operating conditions now.

Modern supply chains are built to absorb volatility—without losing momentum.

According to PwC, only 34% of operations leaders currently prioritize resilience in their technology investments, even though 86% recognize the need for better risk visibility. This disconnect highlights a deeper challenge: resilience isn’t just about physical workflows—it demands evaluating digital maturity, data visibility, and supplier reach. McKinsey notes that most companies lack insight into tier-2 and tier-3 suppliers, leaving them exposed to hidden risks.

That’s why building true resilience means going beyond recovery. It requires systems that can:

  • Detect disruptions early
  • Respond quickly, with greater precision
  • Maintain continuity without compromise

And it all starts with a modern audit—one that looks beyond the surface and embeds resilience across your systems, processes, and teams.

Leading organizations are making that shift through:

  • Real-time visibility across inventory, suppliers, and logistics networks
  • Predictive modeling and scenario planning that test responses before disruption hits
  • Cross-functional agility, with teams trained to adapt and respond dynamically
  • Integrated digital platforms that unify sourcing, operations, finance, and compliance

The payoff is measurable: faster recovery, stronger compliance posture, and a more reliable experience for customers and partners—even under pressure.

As we move toward 2026, resilience isn’t a contingency plan—it’s a core capability. The organizations that invest in it now will lead the way in stability, trust, and long-term performance.

Step 1: How to Assess the Health of Your Supply Chain for Resilience

Before you can build resilience, you need a clear view of where the cracks are. That starts with a structured, end-to-end audit of your supply chain’s readiness, efficiency, and exposure.

This isn’t just about documenting what exists—it’s about diagnosing the things that need to improve.

There are key areas that need to be evaluated:

1. Risk Management Readiness

  • Disruption Coverage: Do you have active plans for supplier failures, cyberattacks, or sudden trade barriers?
  • Scenario Planning: Have you modeled worst-case events like port shutdowns or critical raw material shortages?
  • Response Speed: How quickly can your teams mobilize and act under pressure?

2. Global Disruption Awareness

  • How geographically concentrated are your suppliers and logistics routes?
  • Are you over-reliant on a single region, port, or partner—particularly in high-risk areas like Asia, Eastern Europe, or the Middle East?

3. Operational Efficiency

  • Are your procurement, warehousing, and logistics workflows digitized, streamlined, and integrated?
  • Where are legacy systems still creating bottlenecks or delaying insight?

Disruption Coverage: Do you have active plans for supplier failures, cyberattacks, or sudden trade barriers?

4. Resource Capacity

  • Do you have the bench strength—inventory buffers, skilled staff, and alternate vendors—to flex in real time?
  • Can you scale output or shift sourcing quickly if conditions change?

A modern audit lays the groundwork for actionable change—and serves as the foundation for long-term resilience.

Step 2: Identifying Hidden Weaknesses in Your Supply Chain

The first step to improving resilience is identifying where your supply chain is most vulnerable. That means looking for rigid processes, visibility gaps, or overdependence on specific regions or vendors. These weak points often hide in plain sight. A focused assessment helps uncover the cracks—so you know exactly where to act before the next disruption strikes.

TLeading consulting firms agree that resilience is no longer a contingency plan: it’s a core business capability. According to KPMG, strategic shoring and nearshoring are gaining momentum, with 69% of U.S.-serving supply chains expected to be Americas-based by 2026.

Assess the Full Value Chain—and Invest in Visibility

To build resilience, you need to go beyond surface-level metrics. Start by evaluating:

  • Supplier relationships and geographic exposure
  • Production lead times and inventory turnover
  • Forecasting accuracy across demand and supply
  • Delivery reliability and last-mile agility
  • Customer service responsiveness under pressure

Leading reports from Deloitte, EY, and BNY highlight two major priorities:

  1. Dual/multi-sourcing and regionalization to reduce geopolitical exposure
  2. AI and advanced analytics for end-to-end visibility and forecast precision

McKinsey and KPMG note that over 50% of supply chain leaders already use AI for forecasting—yet visibility remains the top challenge. To close that gap, organizations are:

  • Expanding supplier diversification strategies
  • Enhancing demand planning with AI-powered tools
  • Investing in advanced analytics and next-gen ERP platforms
  • Reinforcing SLAs with 3PLs to improve last-mile performance

Resilience starts with visibility—and visibility depends on the right tools and strategy.

Step 3: What Are the Best Strategies to Make Your Supply Chain More Resilient?

A resilient supply chain isn’t rigid—it’s responsive. It adapts to market shifts, regulatory pressure, and geopolitical change. That means building flexibility directly into your infrastructure, operations, and vendor network.

So what are the top investments companies are making to future-proof their supply chains?

  • Diversify suppliers and sourcing regions
  • Invest in real-time supply chain visibility
  • Model disruptions with contingency planning
  • Automate key operational processes
  • Strengthen cybersecurity and physical risk protocols

Step 4: How Do Resilient Supply Chains Stay Adaptable Over Time?

Building resilience is not a one-time project; it’s a continuous discipline. Regardless of shifting markets, new threats emerging, and evolving customer expectations, your supply chain strategy should be ready to match. The most resilient organizations are those that embed adaptability into their operating model, not just their technology stack. This means aligning governance, data, and decision-making across the enterprise—not just within the supply chain to function.

Your chosen ERP and SCM platforms should at minimum offer:

  • Real-time KPI dashboards with automated alerts that track both internal and external signals
  • Embedded analytics that combine operational data with external risk indicators
  • Cross-functional alignment through shared, role-based visibility across departments

In regulated industries, the goal isn’t just visibility—it’s “always-on” monitoring that enables proactive, not reactive, action. This is what allows organizations to move from after-the-fact quality corrections to true proactive CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action).

Action Steps To Establish a Resilient Operation System

  1. Conduct quarterly strategy reviews to reassess risk exposure and reprioritize investments.
  2. Use scenario planning to test readiness for emerging threats.
  3. Align resilience KPIs with broader business goals so supply chain health becomes a board-level conversation.
  4. Track critical signals consistently to detect and act on disruption earlier. This includes:
    • Fluctuations in raw material and logistics costs
    • Delivery performance and customer satisfaction metrics
    • Supplier risk scores, compliance flags, and lead time variability
    • Evolving ESG and regulatory mandates that affect sourcing or distribution

Why Supply Chain Resilience Is Your Competitive Edge in a Volatile Economy

In an era defined by uncertainty, supply chain resilience is your competitive edge. Resilient supply chains aren’t just surviving disruption—they’re turning it into momentum.

When conflicts reroute shipping lanes, tariffs spike overnight, or a key supplier goes dark, resilient supply chains pivot with minimal friction.

As McKinsey & Co. rightly puts it, resilient supply chains are predictive, not reactive. PwC emphasizes that resilience must be embedded into transformation—not treated as a crisis response. Deloitte, EY, and KPMG all agree: the future belongs to organizations that treat resilience as a core capability, not a contingency plan.

Your Next Move

  • Assess where you are: Conduct a digital and operational audit to uncover gaps.
  • Envision where you want to be: Align resilience goals with business strategy.
  • Get in Touch: Invest in the tools, partnerships, and governance models that will carry you forward.

Let’s map your supply chain’s resilience together—before the next disruption hits.

Let’s get started

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How to Build an Intelligent Supply Chain That Scales and Adapts
How to Build an Intelligent Supply Chain That Scales and Adapts 950 575 Xcelpros Team

Why Supply Chain Transformation Still Matters

Supply chains used to be about resilience—keeping things moving when the world didn’t. But survival is no longer the only goal.

Today, the supply chain is a highly tuned performance engine. It’s how businesses protect margins, deliver better experiences, and move faster than the market.

The shift is no longer from analog to digital supply chains. It’s from digital supply chains to intelligent.

From Digital Supply Chains to Intelligent Ecosystems

The early wave of supply chain transformation was all about technology adoption—IoT, automation, and machine learning. Necessary, but not enough.

Now, the goal is orchestration.

Smart companies aren’t just connecting systems; they’re building supply networks that are predictive, adaptive, and self-optimizing.

Not just to keep up—but to outperform.

Getting Better at Navigating Constant Disruption

Disruption isn’t occasional anymore—it’s constant. From shifting regulations to volatile demand, the environment is always in motion.

The best supply chains aren’t reactive. They anticipate and adapt.

That’s why leading organizations are shifting:

  • From reaction → prediction
  • From visibility → insight
  • From systems of record → systems of intelligence

What Is an Intelligent Supply Chain and What Does It Do?

An intelligent supply chain is more than digital—it’s dynamic. It connects data, platforms, and partners into a system that learns and responds in real time.

Powered by AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things), it combines the predictive capabilities of AI with the real-time monitoring of IoT devices. This fusion drives AIoT supply chain resilience, enabling organizations to anticipate disruptions, adapt rapidly, and respond proactively across operations.

An intelligent supply chain improves forecasting accuracy, speeds up decision-making, and reduces risk across every layer of operations. It unifies planning, sourcing, and fulfillment into a single, transparent view. It automates bottlenecks and converts insights into action—before disruption turns into downtime.

Our Framework for Supply Chain Transformation — Without the Overhaul

Transformation doesn’t mean starting from scratch. At XcelPros, we’ve developed a practical framework to help organizations modernize with purpose—prioritizing high-impact improvements that work with what’s already in place.

Our approach is flexible and grounded in your business reality, but it follows a few consistent pillars:

  • Clarify the role of the supply chain

    What should it enable—speed, efficiency, growth, resilience?

  • Map friction

    Identify disconnects in data, systems, or workflows that create delays or blind spots.

  • Spot early opportunities

    Look for automation or visibility improvements that deliver fast returns.

  • Sequence for scale

    Build momentum with changes that strengthen capability without adding complexity.

  • Design for adaptability

    Choose tools that grow with your business—not just serve today’s needs.

This framework helps you move forward with focus, not friction. It’s not just about “going digital”—it’s about building smarter operations that evolve with you.

What Tools Actually Power a Smart, Connected Supply Chain?

Smart supply chains aren’t built on stitched-together systems or reactive dashboards. They’re shaped by real-time coordination—where planning, procurement, inventory, and logistics all speak the same language.

We’ve seen firsthand how that shift happens. It’s not just about tech—it’s about having the right tools that make live visibility possible, bring predictability to demand, automate the routine, and bring the exceptions to the surface before they turn into delays.

Today’s supply chain platforms are evolving to meet that challenge. Capabilities like industrial ERP batch traceability aren’t just checkboxes—they give teams the visibility to trace issues to the source, respond faster, and maintain quality under pressure.

The goal isn’t just knowing what went wrong—it’s preventing it from happening again.

How Do You Know It’s Time to Upgrade Your Supply Chain?

Sometimes it’s obvious—missed deliveries, ballooning costs, disconnected teams. Other times, the friction builds quietly until it becomes business as usual.

If your team is still relying on spreadsheets, reacting to problems late, or struggling to scale operations, it’s time.

Modernization doesn’t mean tech for tech’s sake. It means moving from chaos to control—and turning your supply chain from a cost center into a competitive advantage.

Final Thoughts

An intelligent supply chain is no longer just an option—it’s become the backbone of scalable, high-performing operations. Businesses that continue to rely on reactive systems and disconnected tools will struggle to keep pace with the demands of modern markets.

Moving forward isn’t a complete overhaul. It’s about building capability where it matters most—enhancing visibility, responsiveness, and automation across the supply chain.

By leveraging AIoT supply chain resilience and tools like industrial ERP batch traceability, organizations gain more than efficiency. They gain control.

It’s time to stop managing supply chains the old way—and start enabling growth with an intelligent supply chain designed to anticipate, adapt, and outperform.

On-time delivery with Dynamics 365: Job scheduling and Capacity planning
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On-time delivery with Dynamics 365: Job scheduling and Capacity planning
On-time delivery with Dynamics 365: Job scheduling and Capacity planning 700 500 Xcelpros Team

Ensuring your customers receive their orders punctually is an essential part of any successful enterprise – especially true when it comes to manufacturing. Many organizations use scheduling and capacity planning systems to guarantee their services and products reach their destination without delay. Microsoft Dynamics 365 offers optimal job scheduling and capacity planning solutions that can give you a competitive edge and satisfy your customers. Through this post, we’ll be looking at how Dynamics 365 can facilitate efficient job scheduling and capacity planning to guarantee timely deliveries.

The importance of on-time delivery

Delivering products on time is essential for businesses that want to maintain a successful reputation. Customers expect their orders to arrive when promised, and any delays in the supply chain can lead to lost sales and damaged relationships. On-time delivery is even more crucial in the current competitive landscape, where customers have an abundance of options to choose from.

Having a reliable system in place to ensure that orders are delivered on time is critical for any business. Job scheduling and capacity planning are key tools designed to help companies achieve this goal.

  • Job scheduling involves creating plans for how to use resources, including people and machines, to complete tasks.
  • Capacity planning focuses on understanding the maximum capacity of resources so that orders can be completed efficiently.

To streamline job scheduling and capacity planning, more companies are utilizing cloud-based Supply Chain Management systems like Microsoft Dynamics 365. With its easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI), users can quickly create job schedules without writing complicated code or manually entering data. It also provides insights into capacities and resources used so that users can make better decisions on resource allocation.

This helps organizations optimize their operations while meeting customer expectations of timely delivery. Additionally, the cloud-based solution allows businesses to access data across multiple sites or departments, giving them visibility into what needs to be done.

How job scheduling and capacity planning can help

As described above, job scheduling and capacity planning have become essential tools for businesses that want to ensure on-time delivery. Carefully planned and executed job scheduling and capacity planning can help improve efficiency, reduce costs, and prevent bottlenecks from forming.

With efficient job scheduling and capacity planning, businesses can reduce lead times, increase on–time delivery, and improve customer satisfaction. These are all things that can increase a business’s revenue. Job scheduling and capacity planning can help businesses plan for potential problems and take preventive measures to avoid delays or other issues to save time, money, and effort.

What to consider when implementing job scheduling and capacity planning

Job scheduling and capacity planning can be implemented for any business that needs to ensure their orders are delivered on time. However, this process can become complex when managing multiple customer orders. To ensure successful and timely order fulfilment, several factors must be considered when implementing job scheduling and capacity planning in your supply chain.

Figure 1:Considerations While Implementing Job Scheduling and Capacity Planning

Considerations While Implementing Job Scheduling and Capacity Planning

One of the first things businesses can do is review the demand for each product or service. This helps determine the resources needed to complete orders within a desired period. It would help if you also considered any external factors that may impact the capacity of your resources, such as changing customer demand, unexpected delays, or seasonal fluctuations.

It’s also important to consider the availability of your resources. Ensure you understand your employees’ current workload, their skills, and any additional tasks they may need to complete to finish the job. This will help you effectively manage staffing and allocate resources to fulfil orders on time.

Finally, don’t forget to look at the tools you use for job scheduling and capacity planning. It is important to have a system that allows for easy visibility and management of jobs, resources, and customer data. This way, you can ensure that every aspect of the job scheduling and capacity planning process runs smoothly and efficiently.

This is a perfect case for solutions like Microsoft Dynamics 365, which offers an intuitive job scheduling and capacity planning solution that makes it easier to manage these processes. With Microsoft Dynamics, businesses can easily track customer orders, view available resources, and manage workloads—all while providing greater transparency into the entire process. As a result, businesses can deliver on-time orders with confidence.

How Microsoft Dynamics can help

Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) is a well-known cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that enables businesses to efficiently manage their entire supply chain, including resources and processes. D365 provides users with comprehensive tools to manage job scheduling and capacity planning, including features such as project-level resource scheduling, job costing, inventory control, job tracking, and demand forecasting.

Things like job scheduling and capacity planning can be difficult to implement independently, which is why many businesses turn to Microsoft Dynamics for help. Microsoft’s D365 provides powerful job scheduling and capacity planning tools, allowing businesses to manage resources and meet customer expectations easily.

With D365, businesses can;

  • create optimized production plans,
  • set production goals, and
  • monitor progress to ensure timely delivery.

The software also includes dashboards and performance analytics, making it easy to view overall performance quickly and easily. Additionally, D365 allows users to track inventory levels and determine when additional materials must be ordered to meet deadlines. This helps ensure all necessary materials are available and orders are processed as quickly as possible. Moreover, it also helps reduce costs associated with excess inventory.

Using D365 to automate processes like job scheduling and capacity planning helps businesses save time and money by reducing manual labour costs. This leads to improved efficiency, reduced expenses, and better customer satisfaction.

D365’s job scheduling helps businesses optimize their operations by allocating the right resources at the right time. Users can easily identify potential delays and adjust in real time by assigning jobs to the most qualified team members and grouping them into batches. This helps businesses plan and execute their operations on time.

D365’s capacity planning makes it easier for businesses to plan for future needs and better manage their resources. The system offers various reporting options that allow users to track their current and projected capacities, identify any gaps in resources, and plan accordingly. With this information, businesses can optimize their resources, adjust their work schedules to meet customer demands, and improve on-time delivery rates.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 provides users with a comprehensive suite of tools to manage job scheduling and capacity planning effectively. By leveraging the features offered by D365, businesses can optimize their supply chain operations, reduce delays, and improve their overall on-time delivery rates.

Schedule a call today for more information and to find out how we can help streamline your delivery.

Streamline Your Supply Chain with Advanced Warehouse Management and MD365
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Streamline Your Supply Chain with Advanced Warehouse Management and MD365
Streamline Your Supply Chain with Advanced Warehouse Management and MD365 700 500 Xcelpros Team

Warehouse management is a key aspect of modern supply chain management that demands the full attention of a business to be efficient. In this post, we look at warehouse management in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations.

Overview of Advanced Warehouse Management in D365 F&O

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is one of the most well-known ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solutions offering innovative, AI-driven assistance for Finance, Operations, and Supply Chain Management. The Warehouse Management module of D365 offers a wide range of optimized capabilities to manage even the most complicated supply chains.

Worldwide, manufacturing and distribution companies of all sizes rely on D365 warehouse inventory management to support their supply chain operations at a core level. When a system like D365 is implemented correctly, it’s easy to gain efficiency and flexibility at every level. Furthermore, D365 enables warehouse owners to set up multiple priority-based storage areas within a warehouse making it easy to gain visibility into their supply chain. According to research from World Economic Forum, challenges like high overheads, growing competition, and evolving customer expectations continue to cause severe impediments.

When it comes to supply chain efficiency, gaining full visibility has become extremely important, permitting businesses to build a direct link with consumers and partners. Supply chain visibility is critical to building a strategy to reduce risks, drive innovation, and build customer trust.

Key Warehouse Management Processes

Figure 1:Key Warehouse Management Processes

Key Warehouse Management Processes

Full visibility makes tracking evolving customer needs, behaviour, and trends easy. This information makes it possible to optimize warehouse operations according to what the end customer is seeking. While not always easy, it’s quickly becoming non-negotiable.

The main reason so many businesses use D365 for supply chain and warehouse management is the wide range of modern features it offers in one solution, including –

  • Placement and Storage D365 let you define the stock based on query-defined rules that make tracking products easy. Users can define location and storage policies down to item and warehouse levels to ensure that RFID (radio frequency identification) capabilities are accurate and updated. You can streamline the storage facility greatly by dividing the warehouses into different zones, defining the storage needs, and even specifying an item’s location with the aisle, rack, and shelf details.
  • Inventory Dimensions D365 gives you visibility into specific inventory details like warehouse and location, as well as basic characteristics like size, color and more. Users have full control over how the products are stored, how warehouse storage costing is decided, and how inventory tracking is happening by defining the inventory dimensions according to any operational requirements.
  • Serial and Batch Number ControlD365 makes it easy to add and manage batch and serial numbers to things like finished goods and raw materials, streamlining the ability for your team to track their location as they move through production. As you gain full control of serial and batch numbers, it becomes easier to trace the quality assurance and warranty of your finished goods. As a bonus, properly assigning serial and batch numbers to your goods and products lets you know exactly where they are in your system, and whether the order has been shipped or not.
  • Wave TemplateWave templates in Dynamics 365 give users the ability to create and manage multiple Shipping, Production and Kanban Wave Templates can be processed manually or automatically. As these Waves are processed, specific work is assigned to a warehouse operations team(s) to be completed for different locations or scenarios. Setting up a wave template includes defining the location or warehouse that the template will create the work for, the order the system will follow if there are multiple waves, and actions to be taken when the wave is processed. Examples of Wave Template types include shipping or transferring orders, or special care and handling instructions for moving items in production. Wave templates create work from Work Templates and Location Directives (pick and put locations) for a specific warehouse.
  • Work Templates and Location DirectivesD365 also includes Work Templates and Location Directives to help define and standardize the operations crucial to a business’s warehouse management. Work templates define “work” and lay out specific pick and put process steps for users to follow in warehouse transactions. Work templates are not location specific by default, and only describe the actions to take.
    • PICK an item from a rack or shelf location
    • PUT an item into a packaging area
    • PICK an item from a packaging area
    • PUT an item into a shipment

    Location Directives describe the same steps for different sites and locations. Location Directives are specific directions for managing or moving inventory in a specific warehouse or location for different scenarios like handling of larger quantities, or specific storage location types like cold storage, freezers, etc.

  • Replenishment TemplatesReplenishment templates in D365 let you define the replenishment process for multiple locations. D365 includes the ability to set different replenishment strategies for different warehouses:
    • Wave demand – the default strategy designed to find locations that can be replenished until demand Is covered
    • Maximum location capacity – like Wave demand, but locations are replenished to maximum capacity.
  • Pick and Put-away ordersD365 makes it easy to pick and put items for outbound loads with handheld or mobile devices. You can define the order picking and dropping locations while streamlining the logistic chain. D365 enables warehouse managers to ‘pick’ any load from the warehouse and ‘put’ it directly to staging, making outbound loading and delivery quick and smooth.

Role of Advanced Warehouse Management In D365 F&O In Cost Reduction

Current trends indicate that supply chain management solutions focus mostly on controlling overhead. D365 can accomplish this by offering businesses full control and monitoring of their workforce and their warehouses.

‘D365 further helps reduce costs by offering full visibility of your operations, as well as the ability to manage your bills and invoices and optimize new or existing routes.

Other Benefits

  • Office IntegrationBeing able to streamline your supply chain is only possible when all related workflows are optimized, integrated, and capable of capturing and sharing key data without issue.

    D365’s native integration to Microsoft’s Office 365 products like Outlook, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, SharePoint, Teams, and more to make all possible to share and access information anywhere in the world.

  • Better Customer ExperienceWhen your systems are all fully integrated at a workflow level, you’re able to stay on top of your operations and the things that matter most to your customers, including things like timely support options, accurate forecasting, dynamic pricing and more.
  • Insight-driven ReportingD365 provides a wide range of detailed reporting options like Labor by job, Labor by users, Sales by product, equipment failures, warehouse transactions, and more. These insight-driven reports work in real-time to give businesses the ability to respond to problems and demands quickly and efficiently based on real data.
  • Warehouse PerformanceDynamics 365 offers multiple ways to monitor the overall performance of your supply chain quickly and easily by breaking down your entire warehouse into products, vendors, and sites. Inbound performance monitoring ensures vendor performance, tracks delivery, and identifies potential loopholes. Shipping performance monitoring ensures finished goods and products are shipped to customers at the right time.

Conclusion

It’s important to understand that the ability to streamline a supply chain depends on effective warehouse management – not an easy job.

This is where a scalable solution like D365 can be used to address a wide range of potential challenges related to ‘pick and put away’ orders, cycle counting, barcode and label support, and keep overheads to a minimum while still being able to meet continuously evolving customer demands.

Making sure it’s done right the first time means working with a partner that understands your industry and knows how to streamline the process and maximize your ROI (Return on Investment).

For more information and to find out how we can help optimize your supply chain contact us today.

Improve your inventory visibility with Microsoft Dynamics 365
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Improve your inventory visibility with the Microsoft Dynamics 365
Improve your inventory visibility with the Microsoft Dynamics 365 700 500 Xcelpros Team

Inventory can be your best friend or worst enemy, depending on how well it’s managed. If your business is experiencing issues managing its inventory, it’s time to take charge of your inventory management process. And prevent it from becoming an ongoing headache.

In this post, we look at the importance and benefits of inventory visibility and how to make inventory more accessible.

The importance of inventory visibility

Inventory visibility – One of the most frustrating aspects of running any business is tracking inventory levels so you know when it’s time to restock. Or, when products need to be sold off before they go bad.

This applies to finished goods and the raw materials used to make them, work-in-progress items (WIP). And anything used in maintenance, and repairs or operations (MRO).

Good inventory visibility means your inventory can be managed with as little hassle. When you can monitor what products are available and what quantity is in stock, you’re better equipped to make decisions that will help you manage your finances effectively.

It also goes a long way to reducing costs and offering a better customer experience. Proper inventory visibility makes it easy to track products and raw materials anywhere in the supply chain. Better visibility of your inventory leads to better visibility of your orders. From production to shipping and delivery.

Achieving Inventory Visibility

For most companies, inventory management is best left to dedicated solutions, like Microsoft Dynamics 365. Inventory systems like D365 help manage critical items like location, availability, status, cost, and stock levels.

Common practices to increase inventory visibility can include things like:

  • Increasing the accuracy of data captured for all products in your system.
  • Taking advantage of mobile devices and handheld scanners in fulfilment areas to track products in the supply chain.
  • Conduct regular audits and cycle counts against current inventory levels.
  • Investing in a modern inventory management solution that offers visibility of all raw materials and finished goods for multiple locations or channels.

Benefits of good inventory visibility

With enhanced inventory visibility, businesses can pinpoint any issues’ root cause faster than ever. Full visibility of your inventory means you’re in a perfect position to solve any problems. Without proper inventory visibility, it can be exceedingly difficult to generate accurate reports about your stock levels and costs or be able to manage orders. Or track items across different sites.

Some additional benefits of good inventory visibility include:

Figure 1:Benefits of Good Inventory Visibility

Benefits of Good Inventory Visibility

  • More efficient operations – Inventory visibility means you’ll reduce the amount of time you spend managing delays, complaints, or missing items.
  • More control of inventory and stock levels – Inventory visibility lets you reduce overstock as well as ensure you don’t run out of any must-have products.
  • Better security – Especially for highly regulated industries, inventory visibility is critical for tracking the movement of finished goods, raw materials, and specific batches.
  • Better response to customer demands – Improved inventory visibility means you’re always better equipped to meet changes in demand – This is one of the best ways to create a better customer experience.
  • Better resource allocation – Inventory visibility help you understand how much stock needs to go to different locations like warehouses, retail outlets, and more.
  • Increased forecasting accuracy – The data captured from good inventory visibility gives a better view of products you need to keep on hand. And improving distribution and purchasing at the same time.
  • Better responsiveness – Real-time inventory data lets you quickly respond to any changes in demand based on trends or other disruptions.
  • Better ROI – Better visibility means you can reduce your stock levels across the board, without disrupting the needs of your customers.

Inventory visibility challenges

Inventory visibility can indeed be challenging, especially without a dedicated system. Today, omnichannel marketplaces offering a growing list of new fulfillment options like Buy online pickup-in-store (BOPIS), drop shipments. And more means there is an increasing list of issues that can arise.

Some common challenges with achieving inventory visibility include:

  • Manual processes – Manual processes are notoriously inefficient, especially when we have access to barcoding solutions and automation.
  • Poor visibility – Not being able to track your finished goods or raw materials means you can create several unplanned delays, resulting in a less-than-stellar customer experience.
  • Unknown demand – Lack of visibility makes it easy not to understand the demand for your products; this quickly leads to overstock or understock conditions.
  • Re-stock issues, loss of business – Lack of visibility can lead to several missed restocking opportunities and more business for your competition.

These are all issues that can be harmful to a business. And leading to loss of revenue, damage to your reputation, a poor customer experience, or worse.

Improving inventory visibility with Microsoft Dynamics 365

Many retailers struggle with visibility into their inventory – not only can it be time-consuming and costly. But, it can also lead to out-of-stock items or delayed shipments.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 offers many features that can help you improve inventory visibility, including creating multiple levels of item locations and reconciling inventory automatically and manually.

Some of the ways D365 helps improve the visibility of your inventory can include the following:

Figure 2:Improve Inventory Visibility with Microsoft Dynamics 365

Improve Inventory Visibility with Microsoft Dynamics 365

  • Support for mobile and handheld devices – Microsoft Dynamics fully supports shop-floor devices designed to minimize redundant manual processes.
  • Process and route optimization – Microsoft Dynamics let you customize and streamline your processes, resulting in highly optimized routing throughout your supply chain.
  • Process automation – Microsoft Dynamics gives you more control of the automation of your processes, which not only increases compliance. But also significantly reduces time spent on repetitive tasks.
  • Actionable insights – Microsoft Dynamics allows businesses to extract more data from everything they do. Forecasting, scheduling, routing, and more all become much more efficient.
  • Electronic signatures and approvals – Electronic signatures in D365 are quicker, more compliant, and much easier to track.

Final thoughts

While challenging, inventory visibility has become more important than ever before, continuing to prove itself as one of the best ways to streamline your company’s operations.

However Improving inventory management doesn’t have to be difficult, especially in today’s rapidly changing marketplace. Once you understand your specific requirements, the best way to start on the right path is to work with a partner who understands your industry’s ins and outs. And can help implement a solution that’s perfect for you.

Schedule a call today to discover how we can help optimize your inventory visibility.

References: Inventory Visibility Add-in overview

Streamline your Supply Chain with Transportation Management in D365 F&O
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Streamline your Supply Chain with Transportation Management in D365 F&O
Streamline your Supply Chain with Transportation Management in D365 F&O 700 500 Xcelpros Team

Introduction

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations is one of the most feature-rich and optimized ERP tools. They are used for managing funds, accounts, processes, and more. D365 has ushered in several benefits for different industries. This is one of the main reasons, so many modern businesses choose to rely on it every day.

But does it make some sense for transportation management? Keep reading to find out.

Transportation Management in D365 F&O

When Microsoft developed AX into D365, transportation management functionality took center stage in its module. This allowed businesses to automate all the essential finance and operation-related operations like accounting, cost management, freight management, master planning, and more.

The resulting Transportation Management module allowed users to enjoy improved capabilities and features. This included things like:

  • The updated version permitted manual freight reconciliation.
  • The ability to generate USMCA certification of origin documents.
  • Management of transport management engines in D365 F&O.

This is just the tip of the iceberg; the latest version of transportation management in D365 F&O is packed with modern-day capabilities.

Who Should Use it?

D365 is for any organization that wants to streamline its supply chain, reduce costs and offer a better customer experience – something that’s become critical in the last few years. D365 can completely replace legacy systems with best-of-breed transportation management technology. It can automate vendor allocation, routing, and transportation allocation for all outbound and inbound orders with full support for AI-enabled devices.

This tool can handle multiple logistics TMS aspects in different scenarios by granting better control over shipping, modifying the shipping rate according to distance & shipment weight, and so on.

Let’s look at some of the most common scenarios that can be handled efficiently with Transportation Management in D365 F&O.

Scenario #1

Due to changes in consumer habits, your SKU count has increased. And it would help if you found a way to get more control of your growing fleet. Microsoft Dynamics 365 is perfect for seamless delivery/pickup and complete control over shipping cost by volume/distance.

With D365, you can decide on the delivery charges based on distance or shipment volume. And share the delivery receipt with the customers directly without getting involved in reconciliation.

Scenario #2

Your business chooses not to charge a separate delivery fee; you instead combine it as part of the total cost of the order.

D365 makes it easy to adjust your pricing seamlessly and efficiently, as needed. This means you can account for changes due to shipping volume or availability.

On top of that, D365 lets you do things like automatically adjusting the order cost and providing insights into shipping cost breakage.

Scenario #3

Suppose you’re using the logistic services of several different companies for your business processes. Transportation management in D365 gives you complete control and the ability to manage all your service providers more effectively in one location.

You can set different transportation rates and delivery preferences there, as needed.

D365 Transportation Management Benefits

Figure 1:Benefits of D365 Transportation Management

Benefits of D365 Transportation Management

Working with a partner to implement Transportation Management in D365 brings a lot to the table for the end-users.

Whether it’s having complete control of your entire fleet, automatic transportation rate calculations, support for things like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and more, Transportation Management in Microsoft Dynamics 365 can change how you do business.

Planning, Logistics, and D365 Transportation Management

With access to real-time shipping information, the transportation management module in D365 makes inbound and outbound planning easier than ever. End-users can make plans according to the processed orders or their related shipments.

Inbound transportation in D365

The inbound transportation management in D365 is very business-friendly. It ensures a transportation solution is ready for vendor orders and doorstep delivery.

With D365, planning a route, generating the receipt, and tracking the order from the vendor’s warehouse to yours is easy.

Outbound transportation in D365

One of the critical benefits of D365’s transportation management is having end-to-end control of how you manage your shipments. Transportation Management in D365 makes creating an outbound lead, assigning rates, creating processes, and planning the load appointments easy. And everything else that goes into outbound transportation management.

Load Building as Needed

Volume-based load building in D365 is much more advanced than older, legacy solutions. It lets businesses set limits on the highest permitted height & weight values.

If your load exceeds the pre-defined load template, you can override it and define new values.

The best part about customizing load templates is that you can make them highly informative by adding details like load template ID, equipment, dimensions, floor stack load, the maximum allowed weight, etc.

Support For a Wide Range of Transportation Engines

Different transportation engines are used to define the logic needed to develop and administer transportation rates.

It takes a lot to ensure complete control of your transportation management, which usually means you need access to multiple transportation management engines. To this end, Microsoft supports multiple different engines in its D365 software including:

  • Rate Engine that can calculate rates.
  • Generic Engine that supports other engines.
  • Mileage Engine that can keep an eye on distance travelled.

There are also things like Transit Time Engines, Zone Engine, and Freight Bill Type Engine. With all these engines, organizations have more functionalities to add to transportation management and achieve perfection.

Better Integrations

Successful transportation management is only possible when the system has full access to the required data.

Transportation management in D365 offers several powerful integration capabilities.

D365 pairs seamlessly with CDS or Common Data Services, making various entities available. In addition, the Azure Data Lake is staged carefully in Entity Store, which ensures only updated data, with incremental syncs, is available.

Regarding shipments, D365 helps businesses automatically report product damage for refunds – all of which can be automated to save invested time and effort.

A Powerful Tool for Managing Global Operations

D365 is designed to streamline global operations. Presently, it has localized versions for 37 countries in 42 languages. This lets enterprises with a worldwide presence select a localized version for each region with a centralized view of data and operations.

D365 does an excellent job of keeping departments and branches worldwide up to date and able to collaborate more efficiently.

Scalability And D365 In the Cloud

Several benefits come from D365 being a cloud-based ERP, including the fact it benefits from a scheduled number of annual and semi-annual updates, both minor and significant.

Several features can be easily added or removed. With a familiar, browser-based interface, access from anywhere is possible – critical for a remote workforce, and licensing can be set for as few or as many users as needed. D365 truly delivers when it comes to productivity and scalability opportunities.

One downside often tied to having so many features is the need for clarity when making sure you pick what works best for your business. Constantly, the best solution is working with a certified Microsoft partner that can optimize your configuration, help you decide on ideal features, and document update requirements.

Final Thoughts

D365 delivers features like cloud deployment, fantastic integration, inbound and outbound management, load balancing, financial supply chain assistance, and other noteworthy capabilities. With D365, you eliminate the need to switch between apps or invest in different transportation management tools for different regions.

Hopefully, this article gives you a better view of how transportation management in D365 can help your business grow and succeed. However, taking advantage of the right features doesn’t have to be complicated. The best option for most companies is to work with a trusted partner to ensure your implementation goes as smoothly as possible.

The right D365 F&O experts can assist you through and through with the modernization and automation of your transportation-related operations. Schedule a call today for more details.

Staying ahead of the curve Warehouse Management Trends in 2022
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Staying ahead of the curve: Warehouse Management Trends
Staying ahead of the curve: Warehouse Management Trends 700 500 Xcelpros Team

Introduction

Remaining competitive in today’s global marketplace has become more important than ever. Consumer habits continue to change, and businesses are finding themselves stocking more and more items. An efficient warehouse management solution is the best way to ensure customer satisfaction at a time when everyone expects things like next-day delivery, BOPIS (Buy Online Pickup in Store), and more.

Thankfully, managing a growing SKU count is getting easier and the technology already exists to help improve your supply chain and bottom line.

Keeping an eye on the changing technology landscape is a good way to get started – here are some of the advanced warehouse management trends we’ve seen in 2022.

Automation

More warehouses are striving to be fully automated than ever before, from self-driving forklifts and automated inventory systems to sophisticated barcode scanning and sorting. Many companies see full automation as a cost-saving measure as they shift their budgets from human workers to technology – becoming more important as SKU counts continue to grow to meet consumer demand.

According to Capterra, 54% of warehouses plan to expand the number of inventory SKUs carried over the next five years.

Manufacturing plants have seen similar trends, with equipment automation replacing traditional manufacturing processes such as machining and assembly. You’ll need to think creatively about how automation can change your processes and make your jobs easier. Some innovations include adding robotics or autonomous vehicles into your delivery process; building more efficient ways to collect data; or developing mobile apps that make data easily accessible to your employees, wherever they are.

Sustainable Warehouse Solutions

Supply chains and warehouses have always been a driving force of the economy, and as we move into the future, warehouse management trends will continue to affect global supply chains. One of the most significant changes driving growth in sustainable warehouse solutions is increased consumer pressure for sustainable goods and services. Consumers want more transparency and accountability with their products, which improved tracking technologies can only achieve.

Another factor influencing this change is an increase in regulations governing environmental impact. For example, several European countries banned single-use plastic packaging earlier this year due to the damage it causes, leaving companies scrambling for viable alternatives, like bio-based plastics or renewable materials like bamboo.

Supply chain management solutions like Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 will play a vital role in managing inventory, assets and faults and improving compliance with regulatory bodies like the FDA, EPA, REACH and more.

Internet of Things (IoT)

Internet of Things (IoT) technology in warehouse management continues to grow and offers new benefits like reduced costs, better forecasting, and easier scalability.

Sensors and cameras continue to improve, and newer RFID (radio frequency identification) tags or beacons tell you exactly where an item is at any given time.

The data collected from these sensors leads to a better customer experience because you know exactly how long it takes for a package to be delivered or whether there are any delays with your orders. This makes your warehouse inventory management easier.

When managing people, IoT technology will allow you to reduce overtime hours and increase efficiency. Using drones and autonomous vehicles lets you confidently adjust your business strategy by setting prices based on demand or supply chain availability.

Some experts predict that we’re nearing the point where IoT technology will be doing a lot more tedious work like stock picking and placing items into cartons—saving companies money and freeing up valuable labor hours for other things like customer service or development projects.

Wearable Technology

Technology is changing how work is done everywhere, and warehouse management is no exception. We already see hints that in the not-so-distant future, fewer people will work in warehouses due to the rise of wearable technology. Examples include Exo-suits, Smart Glasses and audio devices – powered devices designed to reduce physical requirements and give workers hands-free access to their data and instructions.

These devices could replace warehouse management equipment like head-up displays or tablets. Amazon, for example, has already patented a system allowing its employees to use wearable devices while at work. These devices focus on 100% accuracy thanks to the ability to fully validate your inventory.

Some analysts believe this trend would lead to higher costs for shipping companies and consumers because it would require new training programs, and many warehouses wouldn’t need human labor. Others feel these technologies might reduce costs because they increase productivity and reduce errors.

The fact remains that wearable technology holds exciting potential and could change the way we manage our warehousing processes. However, it’s still unclear exactly what effects it will have on business owners and consumers.

Augmented Reality (AR)

Even now, fulfillment centers are beginning to use augmented reality (AR) technology to help with logistics and planning. This trend is expected to grow and expand over the next few years.

There are many benefits, like training and easy visualization. Still, one of the most important is that warehouse managers and personnel can use AR daily without having an expensive changeover cost when they start using it.

This technology provides instant feedback with data from multiple locations, so managers know exactly if their supply chain is performing as expected or if any issues need to be addressed. The wireless nature of these devices means AR is perfectly suited for work in and around warehouses.

Digital Transformations

Warehouse management is going digital everywhere. E-commerce and omnichannel retailing have become much more popular, leading businesses to invest more in warehouse management software and automation. The ability to deliver products from their warehouse on time with less employee involvement is what many businesses have been aiming for.

Companies want their warehouses to be fast and flexible, moving with the needs of changing business conditions. Warehouses are now being designed with reconfigurable storage systems, which can be changed based on current storage needs without downtime or significant disruption.

For this level of automation and digitization to happen, these enterprises need a great deal of up-to-date data about their inventory and how quickly they can process orders. Fortunately, warehouse management solutions like Microsoft’s D365 provide real-time updates on inventory levels and shipping rates. These are just a few reasons we’re seeing more businesses finally replace their aging legacy systems – and when all is said and done, they’re much better off for it.

What comes next

Staying up to date on changes in technology can be a full-time job. One of the best ways to understand what comes next is by working with a partner that understands your business.

As your company grows and your warehousing needs change, your partner can ensure you’re using the perfect solution.

Whether you’re looking for a whole new warehouse management solution or just adding on newer functionality, your partner should be there to set you up for greater success.

Be prepared for what comes next, contact us today to find out how we can help.

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