Over the past several years, it has become increasingly important for supply chain managers to prioritize improving visibility and transparency in the supply chain. Location intelligence provides vital insights that can inform supply chain processes and help predict upcoming demand.
What is Location Intelligence?
Location intelligence involves the process of collecting location information about products, assets, and even people as they move through the supply chain, and then using that data to inform processes such as transportation optimization, demand planning, workforce allocation, and more.
As the supply chain continues to face disruptions, location intelligence is a useful tool to help managers outline demand, manage inventory, and identify potential disruptions before they become detrimental. There are numerous ways in which supply chain managers can use location intelligence data to their benefit:
- Location-specific demand planning: While consumer demand is at an all-time high across the board, it is important to remember that product demand will ebb and flow as well as differ based on location. Having insight into these trends allows enterprises to plan accordingly. Using location intelligence to track which products are selling quickly in each region is helpful for supply chain coordinators so they can warehouse inventory appropriately and avoid potential shortages and consumer disruptions.
- Timely identification of bottlenecks: Location intelligence provides additional visibility into every aspect of the supply chain. Having enhanced insight into how quickly products are moving in and out, and overall foot traffic in warehouses and fulfillment centers, allows managers to quickly identify any irregularities and address issues before they impact consumers.
- Adequate staffing: Location intelligence is important for people as well as products. As labor shortages continue in many sectors, it is important that warehouses and fulfillment centers have the information they need to plan staff accordingly. Using the demand information provided by location intelligence, warehouse managers can move resources as needed to ensure that there is enough staff in high-demand areas to keep the supply chain moving efficiently.
Location intelligence also applies to assets, such as shipping platforms. Plastic pallets from iGPS incorporate smart features, including RFID chips that make them traceable throughout the supply chain. These features enable enterprises to more accurately understand where shipments are, where they have been, and where they are going.
As supply chains continue to adapt to the ever-evolving marketplace, data-driven processes are becoming essential to optimizing operations. Location intelligence allows companies to increase visibility, plan efficiently, and become more agile, setting them up for long-term success.
Companies that effectively use location intelligence for supply chain optimization rely on iGPS plastic pallets for all their shipping needs. Our lightweight, recyclable plastic pallets incorporate RFID technology, making them traceable throughout a supply chain. For more information, contact us at 1-800-884-0225, email a specialist at switch@igps.net, or visit our contact page.
