Sure, you’ve always run a nimble supply chain operation. After all, success usually is determined by your ability to stop and turn on a dime — while leaving a little leftover change.

But as the economy plunges downward, the stakes climb ever higher.

Many supply chain/procurement operations are being pressed to rise above and beyond the normal call of duty.

In many cases, that can involve consolidating some of your supply chain functions.

Some areas where this is occurring include:

• Approval process for new customers and the rules they’re expected to comply with
• Adjusting to changing modes of transportation, as more trucks are filled and fewer LTL loads go out; increasing size/weight of shipments, and
• Updated picking and packing requirements, to keep up with changing demands.

Procurement/supply chain operations that currently operate warehouse management systems (WMS) might be able to meet these challenges by upgrading current software.

It’s worth your time to consult with your IT people or even your WMS vendor.

One action step: Some procurement/supply chain operations are making quick fixes to modify existing systems. At a later point, they’ll go back and make more permanent changes — once they see what’s working and what isn’t.

Tags: economy, LTL, procurement, shipments, supply chain, WMS