2022 is Coming. Is your Supply Chain Software Ready for the Challenges and Opportunities Ahead?

Key Supply Chain Management Trends for 2022

What supply chain management trends are we watching for 2022 (and beyond)? Here are the ones we think you should be tracking with the most significant impact on your business.

1. Businesses will rely more on regional and local suppliers.

Companies have come to rely on a lean, just-in-time policy for ordering inventory for several years. This may have mitigated their level of risk on some level. However, the global pandemic exposed cracks in the logic of relying on this type of contingency planning.

You only need to look at the example of the shortage of microprocessors to understand the issue that occurs when suppliers of goods are situated half a world away from their consumers. Companies are understandably becoming more cautious about dealing with suppliers globally. Businesses have learned the lesson not to rely on a single supply source. Instead, they will look to multiple suppliers closer to home. They will develop a network of suppliers to work with.

2. Supplier relationship management (SRM) comes to the forefront.

Supplier relationship management (SRM) can be considered the B2B equivalent of customer relationship management (CRM). It includes the following:

• Creating a list of crucial suppliers
• Establishing ways for better collaboration between them and your company
• Finding methods for making the relationship beneficial for both parties

When the relationship with suppliers becomes about mutual benefits instead of focusing mainly on costs, you can start to set up roots that will keep the relationship going even during tough economic times. Here are some ways to do that:

• Find ways to keep costs down
• Share information for best results
• Work together to find ways to increase sustainability and reduce waste 

3. Supply Chain as-a-Service (SCaaS) will allow businesses to monetize excess capacity in their supply chains.

There isn’t much excess capacity in the logistics industry. You are undoubtedly aware of the challenges around containers and cargo ships and attracting (and retaining) enough truck drivers. Warehouse space is also in short supply. Individual businesses do have spare capacity at different points along their supply chains. At this point, Supply Chain as-a-Service comes in.

A company that has spare capacity can use it to generate additional revenue. Consider a short-term arrangement with another company to assist in an area where your workers can provide their expertise. SCaaS services can include the following:

• Customer service
• Inventory management
• Logistics consulting
• Reverse logistics
• Sourcing

SCaaS is an option that should help to ease some of the issues with lack of capacity and prevent future bottlenecks in supply chains.

4. Cloud technology in supply chain management and logistics is increasing in popularity.

The cloud industry has been growing at an unprecedented rate. According to Gartner Inc., spending on cloud services worldwide in 2021 is expected to reach $332.3 billion. In 2020, spending was $270 billion. These figures represent a growth rate of 23%.

Grand View Research predicts that the cloud technology boom will affect small and medium-sized businesses the most. As the cost of technology continues to drop, more companies will be able to access advanced software. By that, we mean supply chain software, ERP, inventory management software, data analytics, CRM, etc..

These “smaller” companies will also find it easier to gain access to B2B e-commerce tools.

It’s time to do away with the idea that e-commerce is just about retailers. Gartner predicts that by the year 2025, the majority (80%) of B2B sales will be conducted digitally.

It’s time to shift to an e-commerce platform that allows customers to browse your products and services at their convenience on a 24/7 basis. Investing in it now will help keep your company competitive in 2022.

Get Ready for 2022 with Scanco Sage 100 Supply Chain Software

Scanco’s Sage 100 supply chain software is the total solution you need to be ready for 2022 brings with it. We work with distributors and manufacturing companies of all sizes, from small-to-medium-sized companies to large enterprise corporations. Each one of our customers has unique business challenges and concerns, and we know that there is no one-size-fits-all solution that will work for any of them.

Whether your challenges are with sales, inventory, manufacturing, your warehouse, or service, we can help. Sage 100 supply chain software is an all-inclusive solution that gives your team everything they need to manage it with a few mouse clicks. You will have complete visibility throughout the supply chain.

Sage 100 is scalable. This solution grows as your business grows. You don’t have to worry about your team learning an entirely new software package later on. Start with one module and add more as you need them. This solution is completely flexible.

This software makes looking up products and available inventory a breeze using a smartphone. Add on Scanco Mobile Sales, and your team can stay connected to prospects and customers by phone. They will be able to close more deals when customers know they will be able to receive their orders quickly.

Would you like to discover more about Scanco’s Sage 100 supply chain software and how it can benefit your business as you start the New Year? It’s easy to do. Contact us online or call (330) 645-9959 to make an appointment with a Scanco Solutions Expert to take the next step now.