Supply chain management is a complex, interrelated system involving all the products, people, and processes required to turn raw materials into a finished product and deliver them to the consumer. It is the lifeblood of most commercial enterprises, but it is typically not something that is at the top of someone's mind -- until it breaks down. One tool that can keep it running smoothly and effectively is digital mapping software. Here is an overview of digital mapping technology and how businesses are using it to keep the supply chain flowing.

Supply Chain Disruptions and Your Business

Most businesses rely on a supply chain to source products or raw materials and to deliver final products to other businesses or consumers. Business managers need to know the status of their suppliers, distribution centers, and retail outlets, as well as the transportation routes among these facilities so they can maintain business continuity. And they need to know how to mitigate supply chain disruptions due to natural disasters, strikes, business closures, sourcing material shortages, and even the current COVID-19 pandemic. Knowing where their suppliers are geographically located is crucial to assessing supply, managing risk, and predicting demand. That's where digital maps become an essential business tool.

How Digital Mapping Software Can Keep the Supply Chain Flowing

Most people are aware of and use rudimentary digital mapping technology as a way to find and navigate to a particular destination – usually through a digital mapping app on their smartphones. But digital maps are much more than that.

Digital mapping technology can attach demographic, supplier, delivery route, weather, and many other types of data to maps in order to provide a visual view of a business's entire supply chain and potential risk factors for disruptions. Digital mapping technology helps businesses view their supplier locations and even the sourcing locations of their suppliers. The technology can integrate weather, traffic, and road condition data so that supply chain managers can redirect their supplier and delivery fleets to alternate routes to avoid disruptions. It can use demographic data to track inventory and demand to better predict potential shortages.

There are many digital mapping software platforms available, from simple route planning applications to complex, integrated layers of many useful data types. However, the price will vary greatly according to the complexity and functionality of the platform. Determine the business goals for your mapping platform and choose the one that satisfies your current needs at the best price. Many digital mapping packages can add functionality to grow along with your increasing business needs and desires.

For more information, reach out to digital mapping software programs near you.