International companies need consistency and local ‘know-how’ to get data capture economies of scale
Globalisation offers the advantages of selling products internationally and reducing manufacturing costs. This, in turn, has created a greater need for traceability, supply chain visibility and collaboration, with IT systems spanning global operations, either through a single unified platform or interlinked systems. A consistent approach to data capture is crucial to controlling costs associated with supplier management and supply chain performance. Jan Vermeesch, Head of Multinational Accounts at Zetes, shares his experience and offers advice on managing issues.
"A centrally designed data capture strategy, adapted, implemented and supported by local delivery teams, is cheaper for customers and offers many intangible benefits including faster project implementation speeds."
Constant information visibility
Suppliers need traceability to drive logistics efficiency, quality and visibility. Having access to real-time information requires that data captured in the right format, at the right time and made available to everyone. This makes it possible to foresee and reduce stock shortages, shrinkage or delivery problems, and enable targeted recalls. Data capture systems connect ERP systems internationally, giving all parties real-time visibility and enabling informed decision-making.
International companies benefit from a consistent approach
Companies implementing data capture systems internationally have multi-layered objectives. First, there is a need for improved productivity and local data accuracy, as the foundation for effective ERP systems. For global companies, once data capture is organised in one country, others follow for consistency. Even in regions where investment in auto-ID technology is not governed by a desire to reduce labour costs, operational consistency and quality of distribution dictate the pattern.
Improved supplier management means better cost control
The investment required to implement data capture across multiple regions can quickly go up. Companies need to balance a need for local management input and internal commitment, cultural sensitivity and local technical support at the operational level with the opportunity to benefit from single source purchasing, central visibility and consistent deployment within the project framework.
A centrally designed data capture strategy, adapted, implemented and supported by local delivery teams, is cheaper for customers and offers many intangible benefits including faster project implementation speeds since lessons learned are re-applied. Service delivery management is consistent across different regions allowing for uniform KPIs and optimum efficiency levels. And since fewer internal resources are required to manage supplier relationships, costs are lower.