INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Mobile Technology
Consumerisation of the
supply chain increases
enterprise pressure
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T
he consumerisation of digital
technology has seen a surge in
demand for mobile-first logistics
solutions placing significant pressure on
companies to adopt a digital approach to
supply chains. excellent cost-effective alternative to SAP’s
Mobile DSD App. The StratoPOD journey
and success also provides Strato with the
framework and building blocks to rapidly
respond to other digitisation and mobile
app requirements.
Cassie Lessing, Managing Director, Strato IT
Group, a mobile business solutions provider,
says that logistics has rapidly become the
backbone of industry and that the enterprise
sector is under increasing pressure to digitise
its supply chain. A complex industry, Lessing says it has been a
massive learning curve over the past four years,
with customer’s digitisation expectations.
“Consumerisation has become a reality
within the enterprise sector, threatening
to render the older, clumsier technology
irrelevant and favouring consumer-grade
tablets and smartphones,” said Lessing.
“Since launching its ePod application,
StratoPOD two years ago, Strato has
seen a sharp increase in the requirement
to digitise logistics for a large range of
enterprise companies.
“Strato has been successful in converting
new business and this was achieved because
of the quality and functionality provided
by the Strato digitisation solutions, as well
as the very satisfied customer base that is
totally referenceable.”
Lessing added that, although StratoPOD can
operate in and integrate with, all well-known
back-office systems, it is fast establishing itself
as the ePod of choice with customers running
SAP ERP as its back office. Strato’s extensive
SAP experience and integration skillset has
enabled it to deliver an ePod application that
seamlessly integrates with SAP to facilitate
efficient business process automation.
StratoPOD also complements SAP’s Direct
Store Delivery (DSD) functionality and is an
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INTELLIGENTCIO
“As customers discover the value of digitisation
they quickly start identifying additional
functionality opportunities,” he said.
“This presents a challenge to the
standardisation of mobile business
applications, but Strato’s digitisation
platform has evolved to incorporate a
comprehensive repository of standard
components as well as customer specific
functionality. In addition, Strato is also
able to develop bespoke solutions designed
around the customer’s current ecosystem
and logistics approach.”
Using his SAP legacy and knowledge, Lessing
says that, while the growth for Strato’s mobile
business has been exceptional, the sales
pipeline can still take up to 12 to 24 months.
“It’s a long process, but once converted, we
find customers can’t stop looking at ways
to push the boundaries of a mobile business
application,” he said.
Lessing says that the digitisation of the
supply chain is inevitable and logistics
service providers not responding to customer
demands in this regard will be displaced.
“Cloud and mobile computing are rapidly
reducing the cost of running a seamless and
paperless delivery system,” he said.
“Supply chain participants should partner
to share the cost of digitisation, and once
implemented, all participants will experience
an immediate return on investment. The
value of these mobile applications should
not be underestimated.” n
With the increasing pressure, Lessing
says that as enterprise businesses adapt
to a more consumer-centric approach,
it is essential that the supply chain and
operations are also reassessed. He says that
the role of cloud computing is inevitable as
a catalyst for change and is one of the main
drivers behind making enterprise customers
more innovative and agile.
“Those companies who are not actively
considering cloud and a mobile business
solution will find it harder to compete,”
said Lessing.
“Hampered by legacy IT systems and
approaches, slow-moving customers
will struggle to survive in a rapidly
digitised economy.”
Cassie Lessing, Managing Director, Strato
IT Group
www.intelligentcio.com