Smart Business Magazine, April 2020

10 Smart Business April 2020 STRIVE TO EXCEL MICHAEL JARRETT I want it now Amazon has changed the rules of merchandise order and delivery Amazon has changed the rules of merchandise order and delivery and consumers now have much higher expectations for knowing the status of their purchase at all times and receiving it promptly without paying extra for the convenience Alerts are sent when the order has been processed shipped and delivered to your door This transparency in all stages has become the norm for online purchases even for something as inconsequential as a pair of socks For consumer goods and industrial manufacturers alike supply chain speed and visibility are more complex and crucial than ever The amount of data necessary to plan for production hire employees and deliver goods to market on time can be daunting Handled internally logistics management can be an extremely intensive process that pulls the focus away from primary business goals For this reason companies may find it beneficial to enlist the services of a third party logistics provider The real time data provided by a transportation management company enables complete supply chain visibility and can empower businesses to make more efficient cost saving decisions A transportation management system provides a wealth of useful information to companies Typically data is captured from dispatch warehouse and fulfillment systems and from remote devices on carriers It identifies trends disruptions or inefficiencies within the supply chain This provides transparency in real time and allows companies to make data driven decisions that optimize short and long term planning production and business strategies When partnering with a lead logistics provider a company receives instruction and training to understand how to access all the available information on its shipments Each company is different from the next so a leading 3PL will enable customizations that streamline and enhance a companys particular business model This is not something you can get with a mass produced off the shelf TMS The data gleaned from this level of visibility provides crucial information on arguably the most important aspect of a companys business the bottom line These systems allow companies to review carrier and service options and choose between the most affordable or the more efficient premium cost carrier Logistics providers can use these systems to initiate a shipment dispatch the carrier track its progress and confirm delivery That data can then be compiled and studied providing a means for clients to identify opportunities to further optimize their supply chain Access to supply chain data has enabled companies to be proactive in their logistics planning and decision making And just like that 10 pair of socks it gives them an expectation of excellence and confidence in the level of service they choose I recently purchased an item from Amazon and was amazed at the speed in which it was delivered to my home next day delivery on a Sunday at no additional charge What was this item that justified such a quick turnaround A 10 pair of socks MICHAEL JARRETT Founder and President Jarrett Logistics Systems and PackShip USA Both of Jarretts companies have won numerous awards including the Weatherhead 100 Cascade Capital Growth Award Inc 500 5000 The Entrepreneurial Edge Award and NEO Success Award mjarrett@ jarrettlogistics com www jarrettlogistics com