To say the supply chain has been a bit of a mess lately is a bit of an understatement. Since the COVID pandemic, the supply chain has been extremely volatile, if not downright chaotic. While we can hope for things to improve sooner than later, we should all plan for disruptions and challenges to continue on over the next couple of years.

To help better navigate the challenges of modern supply chain management, smart businesses should prioritize streamlining processes and workflows as much as possible. If the supply chain in and of itself is unpredictable, having internal processes that are likewise messy will only make matters worse.

Fortunately, you can help improve your supply chain management by better controlling your documents. This can be done through Enterprise Content Management (ECM) or a document management solution.

This is why smart businesses are prioritizing document workflow optimization, especially when it comes to supply chain documentation and tracking.

What Is ECM or Document Management for Supply Chain and Logistics?

Enterprise Content Management (ECM) Is all about instituting technological workflows to manage all of your documents. It includes everything from automation to collaboration. A document management solution is part of Enterprise Content Management. It comprises advanced software that stores and files your documents digitally and in the cloud so that they can be securely accessed and shared with team members

Why Does Supply Chain Management Benefit From ECM and Document Management?

Globalization has dramatically increased the movement of goods between countries, making the world far more interconnected. On the plus side, this has given many more opportunities for businesses of all sizes. On the negative side, if there are disruptions in the supply chain internationally, it can impact business tremendously.

All of these goods moving in and out of international warehouses come with a massive paper trail. These supply chain documents are important and must be properly tracked to help ensure that all of the needed parts and or inventory are where they are supposed to be.

Because of this, supply chain documentation is vitally important to any business that is sourcing goods and raw materials. As businesses grow, the amount of supply chain documentation will grow. Thus, it is crucial to have proper workflows for all of these documents.

How Can Document Management Help With Supply Chain Documentation?

Here’s where document management solutions come in. First of all, ideally, you have already transitioned away from paper to electronic documents. But even if you haven’t, an Enterprise Content Management solution can help with this. An ECM Solution can help with the following stages of document manipulation:

Capture

Incoming supply chain documents should be properly captured and if needed digitized.

Routing

Proper document routing is crucial for good supply chain management. A good ECM can help automate routing to make sure that those people who need to sign off on documents see the documents on time.

Access

Access control is all about making sure that only the right people are able to see sensitive documents.

Integration

Integration encompasses connecting your document management solution with other apps and software solutions such as inventory management software.

Measurement

Tracking and real time monitoring can help you see what’s happening with your document processes to reduce bottlenecks and improve workflows.

Security

Finally, robust cybersecurity will make sure that your documents are protected and kept safe from hackers and malicious actors.

Ready to Get Started With an Enterprise Content Management Solution for your Supply Chain?

Blue Technologies is a high-level Enterprise Content Management solutions provider that can help your business properly manage, store, and index all of your supply chain documents electronically. Our document management solutions are secure and enable collaboration with employees and vendors. Through proper access controls, you can rest assured that any confidential documents are only seen by those authorized people who need to see them. You’ll also love how much more productive your team is with these improved workflows.

Supply chain documents should be handled with care. Fortunately, Blue Technologies can help with innovative document management solutions. Contact a Blue Technologies consultant to schedule a comprehensive IT assessment today.