Paperless supply chain was once a fantasy in the world of business. While it may sound impossible decades ago, this did not stop operators from finding ways to make business operations more efficient. Operators need to make sure that the staff, equipment, facilities, and the IT department are always working in optimum levels because even the smallest changes can have a big overall impact.

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Why Should Businesses
Embrace Paperless Supply
Chain
Paperless supply chain was once a fantasy in the
world of business. While it may sound impossible
decades ago, this did not stop operators from
finding ways to make business operations more
efficient. Operators need to make sure that the
staff, equipment, facilities, and the IT department
are always working in optimum levels because
even the smallest changes can have a big overall
impact.
One of the areas they want to improve is
workflow. Although the old systems are still the
heart of the supply chain, they are well past their
use-by date. They have done an admirable job, but
businesses need to improve their processes. Only
by doing so, they will be able to enhance their
customer service as well as their bottom line.
Paper has been part of the supply chain since its
inception. Could this really be the end of its use?
Paper has been part of every business process –
from customer orders to delivery dockets. But, its
end has finally arrived. Technology has advanced
to the point where manual processes are replaced
by automation of both internal and external
workflows. Many have replaced their ball points
with bits already, but some businesses are still
hesitant to invest in technology that may change
their work practices due to two main reasons:
initial cost and disruption during implementation.
Benefits of Paperless Supply Chain
Paperless supply chain offers immediate benefits.
The new systems will free up staffs to focus on
customer service and other value-added tasks by
removing the need for paper-based and double-
entry processes. They will streamline company
operations to boost service levels, increase
customer satisfaction and reduce costs. Moreover,
they can significantly reduce errors as orders,
invoices and shipment can be viewed on screen in
real-time.
The addition of RFID (Radio Frequency ID) chips
and readers has made the paperless revolution even
greater. The RFID allows companies to track the
movement of cartons and pallets through the
supply chain. At each point, information is
communicated to the customer automatically,
letting them estimate the delivery time. Everything
is automated. The only manual effort involved is
the physical movement of the products.
Conclusion
A paperless future is alluring. It offers immediate
benefits to the supply chain operator, the logistics
front and, most of all, the entire business. Moving
to automated, paperless supply chain allows
businesses to reduce their operating costs, provide
high-quality customer service, and boost their
efficiency. More importantly, through cost-
effective solutions, even mid-sized business can
now achieve regular software development and
hardware cost reduction.