Distribution, supply, and managing your supply chain are all integral parts of running a larger business. Managing them during a time when supply issues are still happening regularly is even more challenging. Fortunately, tools like the concept of supply chain design and digital modeling render the process simpler while providing a basis for better planning company-wide. But what supply chain modeling and how can it help your organization succeed? Read on to find out.
What Is Supply Chain Modeling?
Supply chain modeling is the process of developing a mathematical representation of a company’s supply chain. This can help identify problems and opportunities in the supply chain, so teams can address them quickly. Supply chain modeling focuses on direct relationships between suppliers and companies. It uses real data to simulate how a supply chain operates, making it useful for predicting future outcomes and understanding how events along a supply chain might unfold. Supply chain modeling uses immense amounts of data and requires high levels of attention to detail to work properly.
Why Is It Useful?
The power of using a model to plan ahead lies in its ability to help identify and solve potential problems. Demand modeling is useful and can positively impact your business. By using the information derived from your model, you can help your business experience fewer delays, reduce transportation costs, improve output, and run your entire supply chain much more efficiently. By modeling your chain virtually, you can see how decisions you make can affect your supply chain going forward. It also helps you see how well your current programs and policies are working. If you need to implement a change, a demand model can help you make that determination. Ultimately, these models help you make important decisions along your entire supply chain and typically result in fewer problems and more cost savings along the way.
How It Works
With demand modeling, you input your parameters into the program and use it to highlight potential problems. For instance, it can help you identify potential supply chain bottlenecks inside your supply chain. If one bottleneck develops, it can help you chart what disruptions or after effects it might cost. It also improves your ability to forecast demand. If you use existing data and research methods in conjunction with your model, you are better positioned to make predictions about demand for goods or services. Identifying trends using historical data helps you predict future defense as well. Finally, demand modeling helps you spot patterns and identify cost savings opportunities along the way.
How It Helps Different Industries
It’s vital to note that supply chain design is not the same as supply chain optimization or planning your supply chain. Supply chain design is a long-term process that requires your company and its representatives to talk to each other. Different departments are often involved in the process to effectively implement a plan. Essentially, it helps you figure out how to get everything from point A to point B without failure. Supply chain optimization is more of a short-term process where you use what you’ve learned from demand modeling to make short-term changes. This might mean we’re moving capacity, adding items, changing the way you move your cargo, planning alternate routes, and similar adjustments.
Usually, optimization occurs during seasonal changes or busier times of the year. These two processes work in conjunction with one another to help you ensure your supply chain retains its integrity throughout the year. Supply chain modeling is a significant part of that. Whether it’s using supply chain design and demand modeling to help manufacturers understand the flow of materials, ensuring retailers can analyze their operations at multiple levels, or even assisting in agricultural pursuits, it’s an important and burgeoning field that should not be ignored.
What To Look for in a Modeling Solution
Leveraging demand modeling and supply chain design to your advantage only works when you have the right tools dedicated to the job. That’s why you need a robust software solution to help accomplish your goals. Many programs offer supply chain modeling software that can help you constantly redesign your supply chain model and compare what’s happening with your current chain to what could be happening in a future chain (using a function known as a digital twin). The best supply chain design and modeling solution will dramatically reduce the time it takes to design a supply chain and model it as well as provide plenty of resources to help you understand and collect data. This effectively helps you scale the program to your needs and use its intelligence to accurately influence your supply chain decisions. Discover the Benefits of ArdentX Freight Shippers for your business here.
Look for software that utilizes machine learning and robust data collection techniques to truly get the most out of your supply chain design and modeling software. And remember: your supply chain design should always be continuous to be effective. A good software solution will make that a reality and prevent costly mistakes down the line.