Creating smarter supply chains: Unifying operations from the warehouse to the road

Every supply chain consists of multiple links. To keep operations moving smoothly and efficiently, each link must be strong. That’s easier said than done, but the key is good data.

Data is what keeps decision-making consistent across the supply chain. It’s what keeps vehicles, people, and materials moving in the right direction. From the yard or warehouse to the road, the creation of smarter supply chains that rely on and are powered by better data will solve the most common headaches.

Wasted resources, unplanned and unknown equipment usage or rentals, and increased costs are issues that can be mitigated and solved with better real-time insights and oversight.

Powerfleet’s supply chain solutions have been created to do exactly that, helping supply chain operators tackle key supply chain issues head-on and improve efficiency through better data.

What are the key supply chain issues?

Supply chains around the world frequently face the same set of issues, particularly when they’ve been growing without adapting.

Data fragmentation is a good example. Keeping technology siloed behind disparate gateways, duplicating processes across regions, and competing integration priorities all lead to problems. There’s a need for multiple logins across different apps, duplicate user admins, inconsistent reports, and even old integrations that are long since redundant but still taking up space. It can easily become overwhelming.

Then there are challenges around efficiency and costs. Vehicles that are out of service, machinery that has broken down due to wear and tear, and units that have become damaged; all of these have a knock-on effect on operational efficiency. Even when everything is running smoothly, driver behavior, such as idling and driving speed, can impact efficiency.

And that’s not to mention ever-changing variables to consider, like the cost of materials and geopolitical concerns beyond any warehouse or logistics organization’s control.

It can be a lot to consider, but Powerfleet’s intelligent supply chain solutions help keep our clients’ safety, compliance, and operational goals on track.

How Powerfleet solutions support efficient supply chains

By providing end-to-end solutions that bridge the gap between in-warehouse needs and on-road requirements, Powerfleet’s partnership and its Unity data platform help make the supply chain smoother.

It starts with the data journey. To combat data fragmentation, the Unity platform uses a distinct three-part process to collect, store, and use data effectively.

Data ingestion

Data is collected in Unity after being drawn from IoT devices, sensors, OEMs, and 3rd party applications. That includes vehicle telematics, driver behavior alerts, accident data, locations, and more.

Data transformation

Once in the system, data is refined. This means existing application data, subscription management, and business rules all need to be redefined to work with Powerfleet solutions. Afterward, the data is prepared for the next step: generating insights.

Business insights

The data is sent to applications and enterprise systems via the Unity dashboard. From there, users have access to insights and conclusions that, when put into practice, improve supply chain efficiency.

Certain driver behaviors have an unseen impact on efficiency. Idling, for example, or driving at inconsistent and high speeds, can both drain fuel. By aggregating telematics data from any device, source, or vendor and harmonizing it within Unity, Powerfleet goes beyond traditional telematics, applying AI-powered insights to give operators a unified view of each vehicle’s performance and the effect of individual drivers.

With that information, it’s possible to deliver in-cab training to promote better driving habits and compliance. What’s more, by using scorecards, you create a gamified system that naturally increases efficiency and compliance, leading to a culture of safety powered by good old-fashioned friendly rivalry.

Proactive maintenance also vastly improves efficiency by reducing unexpected time off-road. Wear and tear will always be a concern for fleet managers, whether their vehicles operate in warehouses, yards, or on the road. By combining telematics data from across your fleet, regardless of device or vendor, and applying AI-powered analysis, Powerfleet gives you a unified view of each vehicle's activity and condition, enabling you to schedule maintenance and head off issues before they escalate into major repairs.

Case Study: Creating a smarter supply chain for a global leader

A large global retail enterprise approached Powerfleet seeking to track vehicle activity more precisely. That included the use of forklifts, how they move around sites, and the impact of idling and other behaviors.

The ability to better understand each asset, how it’s used, and where inefficiencies could be cut was also important, as was the ability to communicate assignments to drivers when work priorities changed.

Powerfleet was recognized as the perfect partner thanks to our experience in wireless asset management solutions, advanced fleet management systems, and hardware installation across a wide range of vehicle types.

As a trial, the retailer deployed Powerfleet’s fleet management system in a single facility to test and measure the productivity benefits. The trial was soon expanded to cover multiple distribution centers, giving the retailer:

• Unique data on peak vehicle utilization.
• Individual operator metrics to improve productivity and labor allocation.
• A real-time view of facilities, vehicles and operators – including live locations, status updates, and a full log of historical movement.
• A text messaging system to more quickly divert and reassign resources.

The client also saw improvements to safety management, with the solution providing:

• Electronic vehicle access controls, with an onboard database of driver authorizations.
• On-board, electronic safety checklists.
• Impact sensors with multiple automated management responses, including alerts and text message reports.
• Reporting, prioritizing, and scheduling vehicle repairs flagged by operators.

Powerfleet has provided this global retail giant with the tools to drive continuous improvements in its material handling operations.

One supply chain executive told us, “The solution delivered not only the promised safety and control benefits, but also significant incremental productivity improvements, above and beyond what our previous system was providing.”

To learn more about how Powerfleet can transform your supply chain and book a demo, contact us today.