Document management is an important part of the supply chain process. Your approach can either save or cost your organization critical resources.

The traditional document management process usually involves paper-based document storage and manual data entry. However, this method is time-consuming, expensive, and prone to errors—leading to costly delays in the supply chain process.

Paper-based document storage requires a lot of physical space, which can be expensive and difficult to manage. Manual data entry is also labor-intensive and can lead to inaccurate data entry due to human error or typos. Furthermore, paper documents are vulnerable to damage or loss due to natural disasters or other unforeseen events.

These drawbacks of traditional document management processes have led many companies in the supply chain industry to adopt digital solutions, such as cloud storage and automated data entry systems. Such solutions not only reduce costs but also improve efficiency by reducing time spent on manual processes and increasing the accuracy of data entry.

Document Management in Supply Chain Environments — An Ongoing Movement

Due to the ability to increase efficiency and cost savings, document management solutions (DMS) providers have become a strong partner for supply chain managers. As technology evolves, DMS continues to offer supply chain partners advantages that help them stay ahead of market changes and economic downturns.

Here are three key things you should know when considering adoption of DMS for your business:

1. DMS Offers Visibility

Digital document management is becoming an increasingly popular tool for supply chain managers. It offers a variety of benefits, such as increased efficiency, improved accuracy, and greater transparency.

By digitizing documents, supply chain managers can access information quickly and easily, reducing the amount of time spent searching for documents. Additionally, digital document management systems allow for better tracking of documents and improved accuracy in data entry.

Finally, digital document management systems provide greater transparency into the entire supply chain process by providing visibility into all stages of the process.

2. Leveraging New Technologies Increases Effectiveness

Machine learning and AI are becoming increasingly important in the supply chain industry. By leveraging these technologies, companies can automate document management processes and streamline their operations.

AI-driven document management systems can help companies to quickly identify and access documents, classify them based on their importance, and store them in an organized manner. This can help to reduce errors and improve the efficiency of supply chain operations.

Moreover, machine learning algorithms can be used to detect anomalies in documents that would otherwise be difficult for humans to spot. This helps organizations stay compliant with regulations while ensuring that all documents are accurate and up to date.

3. DMS Adoption Comes with Challenges

Although the benefits are clear, document management in supply chain is a complex process and can be challenging due to the presence of multiple stakeholders and legacy systems.

Legacy systems can make it difficult for organizations to keep up with the changing needs of their customers and suppliers. Additionally, employees need to be trained on how to use the new document management system which can be a time-consuming process. These obstacles can lead to delays in document processing, increased costs, and potential security issues.

To ensure the successful integration of document management solutions in supply chain, organizations must address these issues effectively—making a best-fit investment in modernizing legacy systems and providing proper employee training.

Blue Technologies Can Help Your Organization Speed Adoption of This Vital Technology

Adopting a digital document management solution is a no-brainer, especially if your company moves in an industry that relies on supply chain management. However, adoption of a DMS is far easier when you have an expert partner that can help guide your organization through creation, deployment, and maintenance of your new DMS system.

At Blue Technologies, we have DMS experts that can craft a custom-tailored DMS that perfectly fits the needs of your organization. If you have troublesome legacy systems or need help with employee training, we have that covered, as well.

Our IT professionals are adept at upgrading legacy systems and helping to integrate new, more efficient software such as DMS—ultimately, helping your organization to streamline workflows and improve productivity and efficiency.

Got supply chain? Then you need document management. Contact a Blue Technologies consultant and discover how easy it is to integrate a custom-designed DMS into your organization’s workflow today.