On the 8th of April, Postis was part of the “Supply Chain & Logistics Forum. E-commerce, Retail & FMCG. Trends and insights” event organized by Business Mark. Seven leaders from the industry got together in the quest of finding the best management practices in logistics and supply-chain, while offering to the audience insights and proven strategies to navigate the challenging context of a pandemic.

Mircea Stan, CEO @ Postis, was present as a speaker and moderator. His presentation took into discussion the benefits of digital transformation of demand-driven supply chains (DDSC), especially when companies prepare for the booming eCommerce and all the opportunities it brings.

If you missed the event, you're curious to explore deeper or want to recap some of the valuable insights, here is a short round-the-table recap.

• What should companies do when the future is not turning brighter, and they realize the pandemic is here to stay? Nowadays, more than ever, they should prioritize ahead planning and embrace disruption. Incorporating disruption metrics in addition to the traditional ones. Rethink priorities, such as procurement, who should be measured by revenue assurance, not on cost savings. Also, diversify their supply base, but not at all costs.
• Next day deliveries are a must, but they’re not enough anymore. We are facing new changes and challenges in consumer behavior. Next day, same day, scheduled, click & collect, lockers or in-store pickup, all these delivery options are requested by the new, digital customer, and their fast implementation depends directly on integrated open eco-systems.
• Getting out of recession had never been more challenging. Brands will need to find a balance between cutting costs for survival and finding ways to invest in future development. Businesses need to answer one fundamental question: how well do they really know their supply-chains? Do they understand their place in it, are there some critical points where they lack control? After drawing the blueprint of their entire supply-chain, it’s time to measure its actual efficiency: plant a seed, then challenge people to review some parts of the process with an unbiased view.
• Right now, it is the best moment for companies to get back to the drawing board, analyze and find the core of their logistics. They should focus on customer experience, complete integration of supply-chains, simplicity, and durability – digitalization, automation, planning, reviewing logistic efficiency and agility, turning back to local suppliers, carriers diversification and automation, recycling.
• Pandemic is still around and determines high volatility in demand and distribution chains. Now, more than ever, we need to adapt, scale, transform challenges into opportunities.
• The most valuable measures to mitigate the pandemic effects can be split in two categories. First, they are demand related - invest in more qualitative forecasts, adapt the process for a faster action, use data analytics. Secondly, they are supply related - pass the forecasting information upstream the supply-chain, optimize and automate as a strategic vision for organizational resilience, plan workforce & logistics infrastructure.
• During the initial phase of COVID-19 pandemics, the only open channels left were online. Volumes and buying patterns shifted from offline to online platforms, placing the logistics department in the spotlight. The need for distribution and delivery automation, carrier aggregation, top WMS solutions is being accelerated, while keeping a strong focus on the customer needs, product quality, and speed of reaction.

‍

In you want to see Postis' presentation

‍

E-commerce means 24/7, non-stop open stores, in an open transactional world. ‍

‍

The operational efficiency of online platforms and the experience they provide determine the customer’s next shopping decision. There is no room left for obsolete, legacy ways of working. Business partners selection is critical. Changes that occurred during pandemics are here to stay and companies need to remain flexible, open to change & always walk one step ahead of the market through innovation. Last, but not least: what we can’t measure, we can’t improve.

Innovation often comes impersonated in a challenge, as a disruption of the current order. In supply-chain, innovation solves the need for processes that sort out environmental uncertainty. The need to move forward the organizational process, always flexible, adapted to change. In 2021, the hot topic remains systems integration. Open networks that enhance business communication, creates value, and optimizes operational efficiency, come to help.‍

Let's talk.

‍

‍