RPA in Business Supply Chain Delivering Benefits

The Dynamic Nature of Supply Chains

Supply chains are constantly evolving, requiring careful management, efficiency, and accuracy. One of the most impactful ways to enhance these operations is through Robotic Process Automation (RPA), which streamlines the flow of information across business processes and delivers significant benefits.

RPA automates repetitive tasks within software systems, such as order processing, shipping adjustments, and inventory management, freeing up human resources for more strategic activities.

Key Supply Chain Processes Benefiting from RPA

✅ Order Processing and Accounts Payable

RPA simplifies order processing by extracting data from various order types, reducing keying errors and streamlining fulfilment. In accounts payable, automation matches invoice data with purchase order details, enabling staff to focus on discrepancies rather than routine reconciliations.

✅ Supplier and Partner Onboarding

Onboarding new suppliers and partners involves extensive data entry and due diligence. RPA automates these processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance while expediting operational changes.

✅ Shipment Scheduling and Tracking

By automating shipment data entry, RPA ensures precise scheduling and continuous tracking. It retrieves periodic updates from tracking portals, providing real-time visibility for better forecasting.

✅ Portal Interaction

Supply chain teams frequently interact with various business portals. RPA eliminates manual data entry by automating the retrieval and posting of information, ensuring seamless data flow.

✅ Invoice Creation

RPA extracts data from purchase orders and supplier invoices to generate accurate billing information efficiently, particularly for re-billed charges.

✅ Demand Planning and Supply

RPA complements AI-driven forecasting tools by automating purchase order creation and shipment adjustments to maintain optimal stock levels.

✅ Procurement and Inventory Management

For complex procurement processes, RPA assists in requesting supplier quotes, performing due diligence, and evaluating threshold values to support purchasing decisions.

✅ Customer and Supplier Services

RPA helps staff manage time-sensitive customer and supplier interactions by automating routine tasks, allowing them to focus on more complex issues.

Benefits of RPA in Supply Chain Activities

✅ Increased Accuracy

RPA eliminates human errors, ensuring data accuracy and completeness.

✅ Reduced Manual Effort

Automation replaces repetitive human tasks, allowing staff to focus on higher-value activities.

✅ Greater Flexibility

RPA operates 24/7, eliminating delays due to human availability and increasing overall efficiency.

Considerations and Constraints in RPA Implementation

✅ Integration with Existing Systems

RPA is non-intrusive and can operate through existing user interfaces or APIs, ensuring compatibility with various systems.

✅ Handling Complex Processes

Multi-step processes can be automated, though they require thorough design, testing, and refinement.

✅ Continuous Monitoring and Updates

Regular oversight and updates are necessary to maintain the effectiveness of RPA implementations.

✅ Human Interaction

RPA can function in a hybrid model, where automation handles routine tasks and exceptions are escalated to human operators.

Common Use Cases of RPA in Supply Chains

• Data Entry and Processing: Automating large-scale data input for purchase orders, invoices, delivery notes, and customer information.

• Customer and Supplier Support: Providing automated responses and routing inquiries to relevant departments.

• Inventory Management: Adjusting stock levels based on demand forecasting.

• Responding to RFPs: Drafting responses to Requests for Proposals efficiently.

• Shipment Tracking and Monitoring: Automating updates and alerts for shipment status.

• Supplier Research and Monitoring: Conducting due diligence on suppliers, including credit checks and compliance verification.

• Contract Management: Assisting in contract creation, updates, and management.

Implementing RPA in Supply Chain Operations

Successful RPA implementation requires a structured approach that considers people, processes, and technology. At Ether Solutions, we follow a structured methodology:

1. Selecting a Process: Identify processes with repetitive tasks suitable for automation.

2. Design and Planning: Define objectives, scope, timeline, and resources, ensuring integration with existing workflows.

3. People Readiness: Provide awareness training to staff on RPA adoption and its impact on their roles.

4. Development and Testing: Build and test the RPA solution for both routine operations and exception handling.

5. Monitoring and Support: Continuously monitor performance, address issues, and manage software updates.

Unlocking the Potential of RPA in Supply Chains

RPA presents a significant opportunity to reduce manual workload and improve operational efficiency in supply chains. By automating repetitive tasks, businesses can optimise their resources, improve accuracy, and enhance service levels, ultimately driving greater productivity and cost savings.

For more information on RPA in Business Supply Chain Delivering Benefits talk to Ether Solutions Ltd