A version of this article has been published in Stockarea, contributed by Yoav Kutner, CEO and Co-Founder of Oro Inc.
B2B customer satisfaction is more complicated than ever. Supply chain bottlenecks create demand and supply problems resulting in frictions in purchasing experience for many buyers.
This is particularly exacerbated by online purchasing. As buyers purchase more online, demand grows at a time when resources are scarce, while costs increase for everything from labor to transportation. There is simply not enough capacity to meet demand.
The ongoing COVID pandemic is another significant driver of supply chain disruptions. During COVID, manufacturers cut costs and inventories, reacting to shaky demand. Now, faced with shortages, they are ordering extra supplies. As a result, the strain on distribution systems is increasing.
Adding to the issues are worker shortages, paired with unemployment at a fifty-year low. From lacking dockworkers, warehouse staff, truck drivers, railyard workers, and maintenance specialists, labor shortages weigh down the manufacturing sector.
Only technology solves the industrial supply chain crisis
Organizations need to build stronger, more resilient, and adaptable supply chains to overcome current challenges. This is where technology can create the most value.
Integrating data between business systems, including a B2B eCommerce platform, CRM, BI, and ERP, provides customers with insights into the supply chain before orders are placed. You give them the information they care about most: availability, price, and delivery times.
The added transparency increases data visibility, allowing informed sales projections. It also helps manage inventory levels while minimizing planning cycle time.
Unsurprisingly, B2B organizations are investing in B2B eCommerce technology to get a leg up in the changing commerce landscape. With a strong B2B eCommerce presence, businesses achieve greater responsiveness in the face of delays and disruptions than would with a brick-and-mortar infrastructure.
Supply chain issues are not going away any time soon. It’s crucial to rethink traditional responses to disruptions now to thrive in the future. Prepare for continued supply chain difficulties with technology that creates a foundation for growth and empowers you to deal with the challenges head-on.
