Automation helps wholesalers and distributors

Technology can be a great ally to solve a complex web logistics involving wholesalers and distributors in Brazil . Responsible for supplying the small and medium retailers in different areas , these sectors need to address operations ranging from storage of large volumes of products to complicated tax issues and difficulties in hiring skilled labor.

Have mechanisms that help to accomplish all the steps without losing efficiency is crucial to face competition and low margins , ranging from 1 % to 2 % of sales , according to the Brazilian Association of Wholesalers and Distributors ( Abad ) . This where automation comes as a strategic tool . Search with wholesalers and distributors , representing 28 % of the revenues of the segment in Brazil , shows that technology adoption is growing , especially among large firms . The study , GS1 Brazil ( Brazilian Association of Automation ) and Abad , reveals the benefits for the areas of supplier relationships, logistics, management and sales.

A key finding of the survey is that 83% of wholesalers and distributors have distribution center (DC ) automated . A distant reality for 17 % of respondents who do not have this alternative and claim to have poor technical support and hassles of systems integration. The software is responsible for managing the fleet of 39 % of the organizations , and other 17 % manage deliveries and collections also support systems . ” The trend is to improve the flow in the process of issuing and managing tax information ,” says Edson Matos de Lima , and business solutions advisor at GS1 Brazil . The Electronic Invoice ( NF -e) is an example . According to the survey, all companies surveyed have processing system NF -e, orders, billing , purchasing, and sped in finance and accounting . ” This upgrade covers the entire technological chain , it ends up being a precondition for doing business ,” says the president of GS1 Brazil , João Carlos de Oliveira.

The companies also invest in more sophisticated tools that add intelligence to the business and improve decision making . Altogether , 61 % use the Business Intelligence ( BI ) , 50 % rely on CRM ( customer relationship ) and 28 % , with a system for strategic planning . The system (RFID ) , also gaining ground . The Gaucho Unidasul is one of the companies that focus on technology, which brings benefits such as reducing stockout and a better selection of products.

The process runs for about four years , guaranteed to improve productivity in the receipt , storage, picking and shipping. ” You get a lot of time , because the system goes straight to the point , is not need to go through the warehouse ,” the superintendent food distributor , Edson Cesaro.

The company , which operates in the metropolitan area of ​​Porto Alegre , Vale do Sinos Valley Paranhana , Sierra and Coast , saw its operations deslancharem . ” The radio frequency of the storage system streamlines , in a striking way , the separation process , shipping , receiving and loading . The result is a very large gain , “says Cesaro . This happens because the RFID tags allow the reading of items per box , eliminating the need to handle each item.

Mobile devices are a routine part of business

Mobile devices are present in the routine of business . The equipment most commonly used are smartphones ( 41 % ) , tablets ( 26 % ) and handheld computers ( 18 % ) , the survey points with wholesalers and distributors . The technologies are also present in the relationship with suppliers . According to the survey , 57 % of wholesalers use electronic data interchange ( EDI ) to communicate with the supplier industry in sales report and inventory , purchase order and invoice. ” Wholesalers and distributors are increasingly looking to be updated on what ‘s new in the world of technology,” says Carlos Eduardo Severini , president of the Brazilian Association of Wholesalers and Distributors ( Abad ) . It is a constantly evolving and gaining more supporters among entrepreneurs.

The electronic exchange of data usually is not part of routine business when recovery is not taken by its trading partners . ” When industry orders using this tool , wholesalers and distributors end up investing ,” says Edson Matos de Lima , and business solutions advisor at GS1 Brazil . The ripple effect caused by the requirement of the partners has been positive for all sectors involved.

Journal of Commerce

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