Just like retail brands, consumers look for flawless shopping time, which means high-quality products and fast order fulfilment. To satisfy their needs, companies need to bring new technologies and optimize their processes for better supply chain management.
Cold chain logistics implies the monitoring of perishable products during storage, distribution, transportation and in other points of handling to make sure that safe thresholds are not exceeded. Efficient cold chain logistics management will help you reduce the spoilage rate, and damage by keeping your warehouse temperature at the requested levels.
Implement automation
Automation can help you improve inventory visibility, reduce errors caused by employees and streamline your supply chain. If you track the temperature of your products manually, you will notice that there is incomplete data, or you can't generate actual insights from the data temperature.
Temperature monitoring solutions such as sensors and data analytics can help you generate a full view of the product's journey. Automation can also help you take some responsibilities off the shoulders of your warehouse staff, by reducing the time they do manual inspections.
Track and trace your inventory
Most retailers trace their inventory using barcode scanning. However, this method only lets you follow the retail side of your business, not the actual product as it goes through the cold chain logistics.
If the tracking inventory is limited to retail, you will find it difficult to merge the data from your cold chain logistics with your retail systems. Utilizing one software solution to track both retail and logistics data will help you reduce the gaps in visibility. Integrating cold chain data with retail systems can help you better understand demand patterns.
Reconsider your placeholders and practices
When shipping perishable products, it is important to resolve the delays that take place during transit. To avoid products getting spoiled you should assign extra time for the goods to arrive at the location despite traffic conditions or unexpected situations. To make this happen you can opt for a placeholder system or a target date system.
Placeholder systems allow you to enter a later date than the initial delivery one. By doing this you have time to adjust if there's an unexpected delay. The target date system allows you to add an expected delivery date and notifies you if there's a delay.
Use the latest technologies to improve efficiencies
If you have accurate inventory data, you will be able to forecast demand and reduce inventory levels. This will help you manage your products, reduce the stock-outs, and maintain a good level of customer service.
A good way of doing this is by implementing real-time data tracking systems that can be accessed by the entire organization. Even though multiple technologies can help you do this, the most recommended option is a cloud-based solution, that can work with your existing systems. There's no need to replace the hardware or software you're currently using because it is better to integrate your new solution.
Conclusion
Cold chain logistics have an essential role in the supply chain. This is very important for perishable foods, vaccines and other goods that need freezing or refrigeration.
Efficient cold chain logistics management begins with the management of the supply chain partners. It implies setting up a point of contact for tracking, re-planning your placeholders and delivery practices, and using advance technologies to improve efficiencies.
