Block Chain
/ By Karan Mudliar / Blog • Uncategorized/ • • • / 0 Comments

How Blockchain is revolutionizing 3PL

For those who have been following technological disruptions within businesses there are a number of models to look at. Uber, Airbnb, Facebook, etc. have all played a significant role in reshaping the transport, hospitality, and media and advertising industries respectively.

However, another technology, which has been around for several years, has already made inroads into almost all industries. Blockchain, based on decentralised technology, is a “transparent distributed digital ledger (a replica, of a list of transactions in the network, present on a number of computers across the network but not a central server).”

Though this can be most closely related to the banking, finance, and related services, Blockchain technology has impacted many other industries including the third-party logistics (3PL), supply chain, warehousing and distribution sectors.

As Danillo Figueiredo, VP of International Logistics, AB InBev, has stated “Blockchain is one of the most promising technologies in logistics. It has the potential to digitalize many of today’s paper-based processes and overcome the multitude of different interfaces… Blockchain technology will be transformational to our business and the world. It reduces mistakes, digitizes information and improves the supply chain process so we can focus on our core business of brewing the best beers for consumers.”

With this is mind AB InBev has joined together with Accenture, APL, Kuehne + Nagel, and a European customs organisation to successfully test a Blockchain solution that can “eliminate the need for printed shipping documents and save the freight and logistics industry hundreds of millions of dollars annually.” Thus, the group has already tested a solution where documents are “no longer exchanged physically or digitally but instead, the relevant data is shared and distributed using Blockchain technology under single ownership principles determined by the type of information.”

Given Blockchain technology’s advantage as an alleviator of human error, high speed, and a new way of transacting digitally, many industry players as exploring opportunities in this regard. Though still to be examined more closely there are a number of different types of Blockchain networks: public and private. Public networks are open and allow anyone to participate. Private networks are for a closed group and can be extended to new players by invitation. Based on the requirement, one can choose between public, private or public-private networks.

For many players within 3PL, Blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionise certain systems and procedure, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. In many cases, though yet to catch on to the trend, is has been said that Blockchain technology is a prime candidate for inclusion within the supply chain sector. Of course, this only works across the chain if the network of companies including suppliers, warehouses, manufacturers, etc. are all completely involved. However, given the increased interest this is poised to be a breakthrough for the industry.

Regardless, adopting Blockchain technology is no easy feat. It takes time, costs, and changing an already ingrained work culture. In fact, according to findings of the 22nd Annual Third-Party Logistics Study for 2018, though results showed that while “30% of 3PLs and 16% of shippers see Blockchain as a potential application, they have yet to engage with the technology.”

Part of the hesitation stems from a lack of clearly understanding of the technology as well as embracing its benefits. As Neil Collins, regional managing partner for Korn Ferry’s North American industrial markets unit has said, “The supply chain/logistics leader must now be agile, a strategist, a visionary and a collaborator. The entire supply chain organisation must now compete with technology, and the winners will be those that elevate their people using technology, rather than replacing them with it.” Thus, the leadership must intervene from the top in order to embrace the inclusion of Blockchain.

This, at present, is a big ask and the supply chain industry still needs to place itself within its own context though there are already players working towards this goal. Large companies like IBM, Walmart, and Alibaba have several pilot Blockchain projects in the pipeline. Two of Europe’s largest ports – Rotterdam and Antwerp – have already begun work on Blockchain projects to “streamline interaction with port customers.” However, Blockchain requires the collaboration of all parties to function effectively i.e. to form the link. Here, the technology has to stem from software developers or vendors to be able to successfully “integrate applications used by the largest supply chains companies, in turn creating an incentive for other partners in the ecosystem to come aboard.”

However, once on board, the advantages are clear. Given that the supply chain works in sync with Blockchain technology in a linear or “down-the-line” manner, the transparency of each node and its visibility can benefit the entire chain. As every item can be viewed and traceable within the Blockchain, players merely need to add their own information within each record. This could help reduce fraud, repetitive data duplication, and excess paperwork.

As companies being to see the benefits of Blockchain technology there is a greater likelihood of it entering the 3PL mainstream. However, companies must understand where it can best fit within their own requirements. Finding the appropriate Blockchain partners, calculating costs such as overheads, technological and infrastructure, and ensuring a sound fit within a specific business needs to be carefully examined and addressed. It is a long-term investment and requires a great deal planning, a change in mindset and approach, and a detailed exploration of its ramifications.

Currently, many industries like those mentioned earlier are forming groups and partnerships to ‘test the waters’ with regard to Blockchain usage and adoption. This appears to be a sound point of entry for 3PL players as it provides time to understand and evaluate its merits prior to integration.

Though Blockchain has the potential to be the next big 3PL disruptor its own nature and functioning have ensured that many players are still viewing it with caution and soft hands. Regardless, the undoubted benefits are clearly visible and over the next few years more and more players will look to adopt the technology.

Business of 3pl
/ By Karan Mudliar / Blog • Uncategorized/ • • • • / 0 Comments

Aligning your Business with 3PL

In today’s competitive, tight, and cut-throat business environment, many companies depend on third party logistics (3PL) for their supply chain management in order to reduce costs, improve efficiencies, and ensure smooth operations of their distribution and fulfilment service requirements.

To deliver value and thrive within a difficult market, 3PL providers need to align closely with their parent businesses in terms of mission, vision, and goals.  As the relationship is so significant, most big businesses have well-defined 3PL processes, systems, quality standards, performance, criteria, and best practices already in place and regularly keep a close eye on operations.

In fact, most business are keen to look to partner with vendors who will align and integrate with their own processes and practices. Thus, in a totally aligned relationship, the supply chain “shadows” the processes of the parent company and replicates the parent company’s processes, adheres to their standards, mimics their operating models and becomes an “extension” of the parent company. It is even true to say that they may become fully embedded into the parent company and a “well-coordinated arm” of the parent company.

As this relationship requires careful selection many parent companies have strict and stringent supply chain selection criteria, which they use to screen their supply chain partners. In some cases companies may also train supply chain providers in their best practices and operating procedures to ensure that the vendors understand their business priorities and their own way of operating.

Some companies also craft a strategic plan for the alignment and for the relationship, describing the capabilities that they wish their partner supply chain to develop at different stages of the relationship. These capabilities could be operational, technological, or behavioural.

In order to maintain a sound relationship it can help to carefully define the work flows at the parent-supply chain interface as well as specific goals, outcomes, and expectations. It may also be beneficial to define the responsibilities of the parent company and that of the vendor that may include responsibilities for effort, for job, for the entire system, and for business outcomes.

Wroking in business of 3pl

Sharing performance benchmarks and baselines with the supply chain vendor and of clear unambiguous expectations can also help both parties understand what is expected in terms of performance.

Aligning may also entail integration with a company’s web servers, applications and electronic data interchange standards. This allows for seamless information flow and exchange and utilisation of information between the parent’s business and the supply chain.

Such an integration would allow a 3PL partner to use this information to track and trace shipments and direct this information to the parent company’s website; thus, providing customers with the vital information they need as well as helping to improve customer satisfaction.

Of course, there is the obvious check on physical integration, which ensures that the 3PL has the capabilities to manage the business in questions. Here, some internal questions to be answered could include: “What modes of transportation and what services will you [the business or parent company] need?” “What volumes do you plan to ship and where?” “Do you have specific security or visibility requirements?” and “Are your shipments time-sensitive?” Though these are basic questions given the nature of the business they will be able to filter many potential 3PL providers, which may not be suitable.

Also, the 3PL should be capable of matching the specific needs of the business. Many providers have a variety of strengths and weakness and it is imperative that those most closely aligned to the business’s requirements are at the forefront of its strengths. If the business relies on door-to-door deliveries, intra-warehouse, or last-mile, it is important to understand that the 3PL is on par with this and its strength lie in a particular area.

Additionally, it may be necessary to check on the number of modes the 3PL provider actually has and utilises. The four common modes – rail, road, sea, and air – may be a given on paper by a 3PL but it is wise to ensure that the inter modal services being offered have the right size or fleet as well as hands-on experience to be properly handled.

Further, businesses must undertake thorough research about possible 3PLs prior to confirmation. Reputation, reliability, and responsiveness are key, especially in the logistics and supply chain arena. Also, businesses may opt to review use cases or examples within various scenarios to confirm the handling of specific situations by 3PLs. There must also be a cultural fit and the agreed recognition and understanding of the appropriate protocol, procedures, and hierarchy cannot be understated.

Finally, though clearly a given many businesses fail to check a 3PL’s customer service record. Given the scope for disruptions across the supply chain, the crisis management capabilities or the reputation of the company needs to be maintained and carefully managed. To this end it is paramount that the 3PL knows the plan of action, can ensure regular flow of goods or services, and does not lose control during a crisis.

As businesses rely more heavily on 3PLs getting the right fit to align with both business needs and present-day demands is not an easy feat. Many partnerships have failed, especially when a business has recently moved from one party to another. In this regard and given the high demands on the relationship, both parties need to be on the “same page” prior to any business commitments.

With reduced costs and improved customer service being key in the high-contested logistics marketplace, both businesses and 3PLs require a synergy that can be secure, reliable, and potentially long term. There must be clear and concise dialogue prior to and during all negotiations in order to determine the most apt working relationship once a final agreement has been determined as any hurdles or obstacles cannot be easily overcome “on the field”.

It is evident that today’s customers are fickle, brand agnostic, and ruthless, especially with a mobile in hand and social media apps awaiting comments, tweets or posts. Businesses and 3PLs must work together to create a harmonious working environment for each other as well as for their collective customers.