5 tips to streamline your supply chain

Supply chain and logistics can be costly. Leading companies continually

fine-tune their operations to improve efficiency and save money.

Streamlined supply chains move products faster

Ideation Manufacturing Warehousing Delivery Customer

Many companies can't see beyond their Tier 1 and 2 supply

chain partners. This lack of visibility across your supply chain

can carry costly risks.

Holding excess or insufficient inventory

Inability to predict or respond to high-impact events

Losing customer trust

Roadblocks

TIP # 1TIP # 1Gain greater visibility

ISSUE

Use real-time tracking technologies

Upskill staff to analyse data

Improve communication

between partners

TIP # 1TIP # 1Gain greater visibility

SOLUTION

Your customers are the final step in your supply chain, and they deserve to

be treated well. Failing to help your customers along the purchase journey

can prevent repeat business and hinder future sales.

Poor browsing experience and frustration at check-out

Limited delivery options

Unclear shipping and returns policies

Roadblocks

TIP # 2TIP # 2Improve the customer experience

ISSUE

Provide accurate descriptions and product photos

Communicate order processing and

shipment tracking

Capture a valid delivery address and offer delivery choices

TIP # 2TIP # 2Improve the customer experience

new

SOLUTION

Simply improving the descriptions of each garment on our website and

adding accurate measurements has worked really well for us and actually

reduced the volume of returns.

“

”- Jane Lu, Brand Founder, SHOWPO

Recent technological innovations have transformed supply chain

processes. If you don't invest in the right technology, your supply

chain could quickly become redundant.

Losing track of inventory

Using an error-prone paper management system

Failure to integrate IT across the supply chain

Roadblocks

TIP # 3TIP # 3Use technology

ISSUE

Achieve performance gains with demand

prediction technology.

Heard of EDI, RFID, mobile scanners, WMS

and CRM? Find out what’s right for you.

StarTrack integrates with most systems for greater efficiency and

transparency.

TIP # 3TIP # 3Use technology

SOLUTION

ORDER

Online retailing should be handled with responsive warehouse management

systems and customer relationship management systems for access to data and

insights. It should also include multiple and secure payment options, and platforms that

are easy to search, navigate and pay.

“

”- Paul Greenberg, Executive Chairman, National Online Retailers Association

Given the complexities of the modern supply chain, your

partners become a crucial component of your business. Finding

reliable and quality partners is a core determinant of success.

Going it alone

Having a narrow supply chain

Poor supplier choice

Roadblocks

TIP # 4TIP # 4Form strategic partnerships

ISSUE

Use a 3PL for warehousing,

seasonal fluctuations and delivery.

Choose partners who can deliver on your brand promise and

business needs.

Look offshore for cross docking and pick and

pack services.

TIP # 4TIP # 4Form strategic partnerships

SOLUTION

The less time we spend worrying about what happens to goods

being distributed, the better. It's more time to spend on designing products our customers will love.

“

”- Justin Box, Country Manager,

Australia, New Balance

With the rapid evolution of eCommerce and supply chain

systems, there's no time to rest on your laurels.

Failing to evaluate performance can prove costly.

Failure to set cost or performance benchmarks

Refusal to get help

Lack of an agile approach to technologies

Roadblocks

TIP # 5TIP # 5Keep evaluating and refining

ISSUE

Continuously evaluate your supply chain to ensure you have the most efficient model

Conduct supply chain audits – engage external support

if needed

Create strategies to address disruptions caused by change

TIP # 5TIP # 5Keep evaluating and refining

SOLUTION

The pace of disruption will continue to accelerate as new disruptive forces

and innovators revolutionise product development, manufacturing processes,

automation and business models

“

”- Global Manufacturing Outlook, KPMG, 2014

StarTrack has a range of products and services designed to help you

streamline your supply chain.

To find out more, send us an enquiry or call us on 13 2345

StarTrack is a business of Australia Post