Supplying Supply Chain Visibility for the Logistics Sector using Keyfort’s Cloud Computing Service (KCS), KDIS Middleware, Proof of Delivery smart phones (KeyPoD) and Keyfort Telemetry Service (KeyTelem)

 

KDIS Cloud Servers

Briefing

New competitive threats and shortening product and service lifecycles are driving companies with traditional, infrastructure-intensive supply chains to adopt cloud based supply chain solutions to enhance their competitiveness.   As a result, supply chains will become more dynamic, more scalable, and more capable of supporting financial objectives.

Currently companies are moving relatively cautiously towards leveraging cloud technologies in their supply chains, however, studies show that interest in the potential of cloud computing is already strong.

Historically, supply chain operations have proven to be adept at adopting and capitalizing on innovative technology solutions, and cloud computing will be no exception.

Benefits

  • Cloud computing represents a great opportunity to reduce total cost of ownership.  Providing secure computing capacity on a rental basis as required with no capital costs and with comprehensive technical support provided as part of the service.
  • Companies can gain significant advantages by using cloud computing to upgrade their capabilities eg by using the KeyPoD smart phone, collection and delivery of goods can be time and geo stamped, sign off signatures and photo updates collected and all sent automatically to a cloud server for immediate access by supplier and customer as required.  Plus the progress of the en route goods can be shown on the map in real time.
  • By working “in the cloud,” companies have shown they can rapidly implement and operate applications that are secure and inexpensive, while enjoying lower IT maintenance and upgrade costs.  By using the KDIS Middleware, data from existing in house stock management systems can be uploaded to the cloud for secure remote access, interrogation and storage.
  • Process management may also be improved, since cloud computing offers a highly collaborative framework with centralized storage and contact points, ease of access and the opportunity to enact simplified, standardized processes eg by using KeyTelem remote site measurements can be collected, displayed centrally and notifications sent eg for a tanker to go and replenish a storage tank.
  • A further advantage is elasticity, making it possible to scale up at pace with minimal waste of time and capital, and even to switch applications entirely without a lot of added cost or complexity. This brings the ability to enter new markets or launch new services quickly.

Data Security

Lost data can lead to lost products, lost customers and lost business. So Keyfort deploys resilient systems with automatic failover, backup and multi-layered security to protect your data.

Initial Steps to Entering the Cloud

Keyfort will work with your organization to:

  • Develop a strategy:  which processes you should retain internally and which processes would benefit from cloud computing.
  • Develop a detailed business case with quantified anticipated benefits, ROI and risk analysis.
  • Agree the standards for success:  flexibility, scalability, speed to market and costs.
  • Start with the low-hanging fruit and to measure the results.

Conclusion

While it will take time for supply chains to transition to cloud computing, the operational benefits, enhanced functionality and potential savings the technology provides are too great to ignore.   So the question isn’t whether cloud computing will become a fundamental technology in the supply chain but how successfully companies will profit from it.  If your organization has not yet started its journey to the cloud, now may be the time to contact Keyfort to start drawing up your roadmap.