There’s no doubt that in 2021, the process of workplace modernization is dramatically changing. More people are working from home than ever, and more companies are adopting remote and hybrid ways of managing people. This means IT needs a different way of delivering the IT infrastructure people rely on. It’s no longer about one central office location – it’s about modernizing everything for everyone, no matter where they’re located.
But while seemingly everything changes, there is one thing that stays the same – the need for a robust supply chain. To keep the workforce humming along productively, you need to have a way to get people their technology in an efficient manner. You’ve got to have a reliable, battle-tested process that will work every time.
Ask anyone, and you’ll hear the same refrain: That’s getting harder and harder to do. According to DevPro Journal, the supply chain, like everything else in business the last couple of years, has faced real difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re seeing critical shortages of the materials that companies need, and record-long lead times on delivering products from point A to point B. There are all sorts of systemic issues at play, ranging from worker absenteeism to technological deficiencies that need to be addressed.
Bill Newman, an industry executive advisor at SAP, told the news source that the pandemic has shown how fragile the whole supply chain machine can be.
“We’ve all learned how integrated everything is,” Newman said. “It only takes one mega-freighter choking the Suez Canal for things to be completely upended everywhere from Bombay to Boston.”
So: If your organization has concerns about supply chain issues, how can you respond? What strategies can you employ that will keep you one step ahead of potential supply chain problems?
Newman posited that one key strategy is to digitize wherever possible. All too many companies these days are managing the supply chain using old-fashioned tools like spreadsheets and clipboards – these systems are usually unable to keep up with the fast pace of business today.
“Many have no ability to talk across platforms, campuses or plants,” Newman said. “That can make for a really rough 14- to 16-hour day.”
Embracing digital transformation has always been a key strategy. But especially now, with a global pandemic presenting challenges and supply chain roadblocks becoming the norm, it’s crucial.
At Zones, we are happy to help organizations looking to usher in a new, digital approach to the supply chain. That’s exactly the thinking behind our Global Supply Chain as a Service (GSCaaS) offering – we provide a complete package of services designed to take care of your supply chain from end to end. Whether it’s inventory management, order management, financial services, or post-sales support, we have everything you need to manage your IT deliveries and get everyone the tools that are essential to their work lives.
This is now a fundamental part of what we do at Zones. We’ve always been big into Workplace Modernization, but now, with a pandemic still ongoing and strategic challenges mounting for everyone, we’re giving the supply chain the special attention it deserves. We know how important it is to get your people the IT assets they need, and we will do everything it takes to make sure your business is up for that challenge. Contact us today to learn more about how we can lead your business forward.