Before a product or service ordered online arrives at the customer's door, it goes through several stages and different networks: production, processing, sales, delivery to the end customer's home. It's the supply chain, literally the supply chain. However, planning, warehousing, transport, and delivery are far from easy steps. They even require expert organization. Good news! Les logistics management software are there to simplify your life and optimize your processes. What is it? What is their purpose? Or, how do you choose the one that best meets your needs? For those who already know about the subject, immediately discover the software that will change your life.
Logistics tools and inventory management are now a must for businesses, new or growing. Indeed, they help them to better control their distribution network. They thus ensure good administration and, therefore, promote better efficiency.When we talk about logistics management software, what exactly are we talking about? In fact, it's a digital tool which makes it possible to control the flows generated by the innumerable orders placed by customers. This, in an easier and more organized way. It is intended for professionals in various sectors, namely:
Its mission includes the management of all activities in a supply chain from the validation of purchases to final delivery. Of course, the supervision of steps such as procurement, production, and distribution is also included in its functions. We distinguish several types of logistics management software, namely:
The use of logistics and transport software is certainly a plus for your company. But you still have to choose the one that suits your activities. For example, tools such as TMS and WMS each have their own specificity.
First of all, the Transport Management System (TMS) are tools whose role lies in the management of transport flows. All the operations related to these are included in a tool, thus avoiding possible loss of time. This tool therefore allows:
For its part, The Warehouse Management System are logistics optimization software that helps with management within the warehouse. Thanks to it, users manage to:
Nowadays, almost all work tools are digitized. This evolution has greatly helped professionals in the development of their activities. In the case of logistics management software, here are the main reasons that should encourage you to use it.
By choosing to digitize your supply chain with logistics and transport software, you will have less difficulty communicating with your partners. Indeed, almost all the actors involved in this sector of activity now use these tools. The flow of information, goods and the various constraints can thus be monitored and processed in real time.
Second, digitalization makes it possible to better plan the various links in the chain. These tools are equipped with functionalities that facilitate the organization of supplies, the preparation of orders, means of transport, traceability and delivery. In this way, you prioritize speed and efficiency.
In view of the functions provided by software such as TMS and WMS, a concept that we will explain, obtaining better performance is obvious. As decision-making is optimized, so are the distribution stages. There is nothing like it to ensure the profitability of your activities and, at the same time, the evolution of your business.
Logistics management software offers various advantages to companies that opt for its use. To start with, let's quote total control that you will have on each link in your supply chain. It is the instrument that orchestrates each of the operations. In addition, the use of these tools allows significantly reduce costs which relate to logistics and transport. This is explained in particular by the precision of the logistics ERP software (Enterprise Resources Planning), which makes it possible to limit stocks. At the same time, you also manage to reduce the time lost during delivery.At the same time, your business also benefits from better profitability. In addition, know that optimizing your services also benefits customer satisfaction. With the latter, you will gain fame.
Whether in the management of transport, stock or even orders, these software programs are revolutionizing the organization of logistics flow in their own way. Optimization is the key to better profitability. And this software understood it well.
Oracle NetSuite is a complete and highly acclaimed software. Its objective is to help decision-making in terms of global planning, forecasting, capacity etc. Thanks to extensive automation and a global vision of the company, the software helps to manage the multiple facets that make it up, namely: sales, marketing, marketing, finance, finance, human resources etc. This logistical tool allows in particular:
The strengths of this software: this software offers a high level of task automation and can be highly customized. In addition, it is systematically updated twice a year, in order to offer an ever more complete and accurate service to its customers.
In the WMS category, Sphere WMS is a cloud-based software that offers an ideal solution for businesses that want a comprehensive warehouse management system. Equipped with multiple functions and great flexibility, it is suitable for the majority of sectors.
This software brings you multiple advantages such as:
Sage 300 is enterprise resource planning software that gives you complete management of your business in one place. It makes it possible to manage finances, stocks or even business operations more effectively. Based on Windows and running on Microsoft SQL, this ERP currently has over 2 million global users. By focusing on the growth of each company and its specific needs, the software offers a solution for a wide range of industries (construction, manufacturing, wholesale distribution, food, professional services...).
Among the many features, Sage 300 allows you to:
Shippr is a management software that offers a customized same-day delivery service. Through its software, the company connects companies from all sectors with transport professionals and ensures the monitoring of services in order to save you time and efficiency. Shippr is also aimed at companies in all sectors, from food to events, including spare parts or retail, and offers them tailor-made deliveries according to their needs and constraints. Among other things, the Shippr software offers:
The strengths of this software: being specialists in same-day delivery, you can be sure that your products avoid the sorting centers stage. In addition, the company currently holds a record of 97% of shipments delivered to the recipient the first time, that is to say a successful delivery during the first pass.
Do not hesitate to Make contact with one of our business experts. They will explain in more detail how Shippr can help you with your logistics management according to your business and needs.
Using logistics software is therefore beneficial for your company. But among all the tools available, how do you know which one is best suited to your activities? To find out, follow these tips.
A step that is often overlooked, its importance is often crucial. Indeed, each software has its specificities, its solutions and especially is aimed at certain companies. It is therefore essential to carry out a functional and structural audit of your activity in order to identify the bottlenecks and your real needs. Directly linked to this, you will need to determine the budget you want to allocate to this logistics management software. There are both free and paid software on the market. The choice between the two will be directly determined by your needs and objectives of acquiring this software, but especially by the return on investment. Free software that requires a lot of programming can ultimately prove to be more expensive for the company, than high-performance software that will increase productivity. Conversely, if you invest in paid software that doesn't meet the original goals of that investment, the costs will be much higher than the benefits.Choosing the wrong software comes at a cost. This audit stage is therefore extremely crucial.
Once your needs are clear and specific, you need to start the research. The range of logistics management software available is vast. Indeed, you can find logistics software for SMEs as well as for large companies. Only your goals will allow you to make a first selection. Then all you have to do is find out about the available features in order to judge their effectiveness. Among other things, your tool may be able to:
Finally, you can also choose logistics software equipped with a Barycenter calculation to further optimize delivery time.
Many software programs offer online demonstrations directly via their website. Indeed, testing the software live is a great way to see if the software meets your needs. This way, you can see if the functionalities targeted in the previous step are right for you, while visualizing the software.
Once you have targeted the software you are interested in and have perhaps already been seduced by the demonstration, it is always interesting to get in touch with their publishers. Understanding how they work, discussing your needs, asking questions are various elements that will or may not reinforce your choice to continue with this or that software. In addition, having direct contact with them beforehand will allow you to know their support service in case of problems. This is not insignificant when it comes to technological implementation.
The final decision to engage with software from an external provider is a key decision. Once the software is implemented, it will be complex and expensive to change it. So do not hesitate to check one last time if the solutions offered by the software meet your needs. Also, don't forget to anticipate your future needs. If the software can grow with you and respond to it, your investment will be rewarded handsomely.
