Recently I revisited the subject of digital supply chains because I ran across one of my favorite quotes about all the big data and information at our disposal today.
“The goal is to turn data into information, and information into insight.” ~ Carly Fiorina, Former CEO of HP
As you are considering this idea, Supply Chain Today provides a handy reference for information on the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, digital transformation, blockchain, supply chain visibility, data analytics, machine learning, employee productivity, employee engagement, and so much more.
Digging Data Out of the Supply Chain
In the simplest terms, supply chains today are replete with data – nearly drowning and overwhelmed with data. Clients are begging for vendors who can help them with solutions to present data in a digestible format that focuses on or aligns with the end user’s key performance indicators (KPIs). Furthermore, most supply chain executives reading this blog post already know that data can profoundly boost productivity, improve safety results, and improve inventory accuracy. So, why doesn’t every enterprise ensure that data is available and visible to every employee who needs to know?
The reason is simple – the step from collecting the data to letting it drive decisions is often the missing link, and more than the average organization can handle. I have found that the key is knowing how to collect, interpret, and deliver the precise information needed to make the best decision in real time. A decision based on yesterday’s data may be the worst decision today. Employees need to be “in-the-know” up-to-the-minute so they can make the most informed decision possible to meet their daily individual, team, or company goals.
Real Time Data Empowers Employees
Imagine the worker in your factory or distribution/fulfillment center who is within minutes of completing a specific task. He/she wonders – what’s next? Who needs my help the most? Does that employee sit around and wait for a supervisor who happens by at just the right time (or 30 minutes later) to direct him/her to the next assignment? What about the worker who is waiting for product or inventory to come his/her way down the conveyor – not knowing it cannot arrive until someone takes 15 seconds to clear a blocked chute or a clogged belt? Does that employee wait the 30 minutes it normally takes to clear such an exception?
These are real scenarios that play themselves out all day long. Multiply those 30 lost minutes times 10 or 100 (or even 500 employees) each shift, and you will see quickly that data needs to be presented in real time to those who can fix a situation right now. This translates to the bottom line immediately. Cost saved – productivity improved – customer satisfaction ensured and improved.
This is where ImageNet Consulting and our Visual Productivity Solutions can help. We would love the opportunity to discuss how you can use our Visual Supply Chain solutions (think scoreboards) to visualize the most important metrics to the employees who can make a difference in real-time. ImageNet’s Visual Productivity Solutions are powered by Wallboard, a simple, cloud-based content management system that allows you to “create anywhere and publish everywhere.” Contact us today to set up your custom demo so you no longer fear the digital supply chain but instead, embrace it.