The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 39: Oct/Nov 2018 | Page 25

TECHNOLOGY
REVVED UP
EFFECTIVE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT,
AND BUILDING IT PARTNERSHIP RELATIONSHIPS
In a fast-moving environment characterised by constant change, the need for businesses to
continually innovate by optimising their IT infrastructure has never been greater.
means integrating IT systems which
can often require the help of specialist
consultants. These experts should
come equipped with years of knowledge
and industry experience; they can help
mitigate any teething pains like shipping
errors and provide professional advice on
best practice.
Harnessing future technologies
While it may still be in its infancy, those
‘in the know’ are fully aware that the
Industrial Internet of Things is what will
truly change the consumer experience.
“The best IT partnerships are those that inspire more than just
technological change throughout the business...”
bad habits of doing “as they have always
done”. To these companies, innovation
can seem like a hill too steep to climb.
Instead, they sit at the bottom waiting for
transformation to happen. Yet, if they only
sought the support of a trusted supplier,
positive change would come in a number
of ways.
Switching the focus
The best IT partnerships are those that
inspire more than just technological
change throughout the business. Your IT
partner should share a customer-first
focus while promoting behavioural change
at every level of the organisation. Rather
than simply presenting the latest, cutting-
edge technology on a silver platter, a
strong IT partner will work to understand
your unique needs; they will centre their
approach around the requirements of your
business.
Building effective IT partnerships
can make all the difference between a
booming balance sheet and frustrated
customers. If done right, these
relationships can inspire a new way of
thinking as both parties collaborate
to achieve the same goal: customer
satisfaction.
Ensuring smooth deliveries
Getting products in the hands of your
customers is the lifeblood of any
consumer goods business. By investing
in a futureproofed delivery and tracking
system, these companies can be fully
in control of the distribution and stocks
of their products. However, building a
relationship with a distributor usually
Though the market is not yet fully
equipped at present to switch to an IOT
model, the British government recently
launched an initiative to have the UK fully
fibre optimised by 2033.
If the UK’s infrastructure is up to the
challenge, the move will be inevitable. For
businesses looking to gain a competitive
advantage, seeking out p artners to
mutually innovate will see early adopters
reap the benefits of the new model. In
fact, a fully internet-enabled supply
chain could become almost entirely
self-sufficient, removing the need for
additional costs elsewhere and creating
a welcome boost in productivity thanks to
seamless data interoperability.
central authority over the blockchain and
it’s extremely scalable, this technology
can positively impact everything from
warehousing to delivery to payment.
Creating positive change
By collaborating with businesses to
implement new technological solutions,
IT partners can assist in boosting
productivity by establishing a foundation
that enhances communication and
simplifies a number of complex
processes. As well as saving time, a
reliable relationship with an expert IT
supplier can allow a business to cut down
on operating costs.
While certain organisations may be
reluctant to innovate for fear of disruption,
heavy reliance on outdated technology and
inefficient processes is a one-way ticket
to a customer exodus as they flock to a
competitor in search of a more efficient
service.
In today’s hyper-competitive, hyper-
connected market, partnerships
have taken on even greater strategic
importance and complexity. Striking up
a reliable IT partnership can make the
difference between gaining the advantage
and falling behind; it can help you keep
your finger on the pulse when it matters
the most.
Transforming supply chain
management
The integration of this digital ledger into
the supply chain and logistics industry
will be revolutionary to say the least.
Considering the complexity lack of
transparency of our current supply chain,
blockchain offers a logical solution.
Naturally, partnerships have begun to
start forming regularly as companies
seek to be the first on the bandwagon. In
April this year, for instance, banking giant
Santander partnered with Ripple Labs
Inc to enable cross border payments that
enabled savings of between 40 and 70%,
while shaving the processing time from 3
days to just under three seconds.
While it is yet to be widely adopted, the
potential that blockchain technology holds
in injecting a strong dose of transparency
and efficiency into today’s complex supply
chains is clear. Since there is not one
Nathan Baranowski, Managing Director, ojo solutions
Here at ojo solutions we are
transformation experts. We help
organisations to see the change, be the
change and live the change. Through
our unique blend of consultancy, digital
design and development skills we will
not only enable your transformation
journey but build a platform for continual
improvement. Whatever your need, we
are here to help make it a reality.
After all, digital transformation is no
one-and-off exercise: it’s an on-going
journey that allows organisations to drive
efficiency throughout every stage of the
product lifecycle.
If they are to retain their competitive
edge, business leaders must strike
up and nurture strategic, long-lasting
relationships with external IT experts
who can help them get from A to B with
minimal disruption.
Naturally, this is easier said than
done: stuck in a sense of routine, many
businesses are quick to fall back into
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2018
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