Due to a variety of factors such as the aftermath of the pandemic, trade tensions and geopolitcal risks, the global supply chains is under pressure.

This affects manufacturers who need to manage a supply chain pebbled with potential risks and unforeseen disruptions. Navigating a volatile modern supply chain requires manufacturers to be more agile and responsive.

In this blog post we’re going to be examining how Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management can help businesses to identify, monitor and mitigate supply chain risks and disruptions caused by the volatility of the market and global events.

Real-time visibility

One of the key elements of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management is the platform’s ability to provide businesses with real-time visibility into their supply chain operations enabling them to monitor performance and identify risks on the fly.

According to René Reinli, General Manager at AlfaPeople Germany, this allows businesses to proactively respond to potential issues before they become major problems.

“The real-time visibility provides businesses with a more complete and accurate picture of their operations while improving the overall supply chain efficiency because of the ability of the platform to connect to other systems within the Microsoft technology stack,” he says.

Identify trends and patterns

Staying ahead of trends and anticipating disruptions is an important ability if businesses want to successfully navigate a volatile supply chain. The advanced analytics function of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management can help businesses identify trends and patterns that may indicate risks or disruptions by processing large amounts of data in real-time.

René Reinli explains that the advanced analytics capabilities give businesses the ability to quickly identify these patterns and trends.

“It can help businesses identify unusual spikes in demand or changes in supplier performance, alerting them to potential issues before they disrupt operations,” he says.

Key to long term success

In other words risk management is essential when managing the supply chain, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management can provide the tools and insights manufacturing companies need to proactively mitigate potential challenges.

Risk management is important because it helps businesses to minimise the impact of supply chains disruptions on ther operations and bottom line, René Reinli says.

“Ultimately, risk management is key to the long-term success of any business, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management provides the tools and insights businesses need to manage risks and achieve their goals.”

Identify bottlenecks, prioritise resources

Having a well-planned and optimised supply chain is critical to the sustainability of any business operation. The value of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management lies in its ability to provide a comprehensive view of the supply chain and use advanced analytics to optimise supply chain processes.

René Reinli explains that the system can help businesses to identify bottlenecks, prioritize resources, and make informed decisions based on data-driven insights. This helps businesses to make the most of their resources.

“A better forecast for example makes it easier to plan for ordering supplies for production, and will often also help reduce costs,” he says.

Do you find it increasingly difficult to navigate the complex supply chain? Read this blog post to learn more on how you easier can manage the modern supply chain.