• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Clear Spider Logo

Clear Spider

Powerful Inventory Management Made Simple

  • Product
    • Solutions
      • Vendor Managed Inventory
      • Warehouse Management System (WMS)
      • Inventory Management and Control
      • Order and Shipping Management
      • Field Service Inventory Management
      • Mobile Solutions
      • Vaccine Management System
      • SNAP2: Touchless Tech
      • COVID Solution
      • Clear Spider Kiosk
    • Features
      • Barcode Scanning
      • Fulfillment and Replenishment
      • Lot Control and Shelf Life
      • Kitting and Light Manufacturing
      • Serialized Inventory
      • Return Material Authorization
      • Invoice and Billing
      • Reports and Analytics
      • Consignment Inventory
      • Automated Industrial Vending
    • Benefits
      • Cloud-Based Inventory Management
      • Customizable Software
      • Intuitive Design
      • Safe and Secure
      • Quick Implementation
      • High ROI
    • Our Technology
  • Integrations
    • Accounting
    • Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
    • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
    • Point of Sale (POS)
    • E-Commerce
    • Shipping
    • Seamless Integration
  • Industries
    • Industrial and Manufacturing
    • Aerospace and Automotive
    • Government, Education, and Healthcare
    • Research, Energy, and Environment
    • Transportation, Warehousing, and Logistics
    • Technology and Telecommunications
    • Print and Publishing
    • Retail, Entertainment, and Food Services
    • Construction, Maintenance, and HVAC
    • Finance and Banking
    • All Industries
  • Pricing
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • ROI Calculator
    • Case Studies
    • Whitepapers
    • Blog
    • Infographics
    • Glossary
    • FAQ

Technology

How is Big Data Changing the Supply Chain Industry?

March 23, 2016


What is Big Data?

Big data has been a growing trend in many industries for a few years now. In particular, the supply chain industry is starting to see big changes from this trend. However, many still struggle with what exactly is “big data.”

Here’s one definition that captures the idea from an article written by Lisa Arthur: “Big Data is a collection of data from traditional and digital sources inside and outside your company that represents a source for ongoing discovery and analysis.” Arthur highlights the importance of not only including digital data but traditional data as well. Although traditional data may be dwarfed by the volume of digital data, it still contributes to big data.

However, it is vital that big data is not written off as a buzzword. Firms should take the time to understand its meaning and effects. This often means having a C-level discussion to outline exactly what the impact of big data is for your company. Getting everyone on the same page is the first step in understanding and reaping the full benefit of it.

There are several benefits that big data can offer. In particular, it can help organizations achieve more accurate forecasting, improved visibility, decreased reaction time, and smarter sourcing. Using its power,  firms can fully understand their operations.

More Accurate Forecasting

With big data, companies can identify more advanced trends. Also, it provides companies with new info about their operations. It can go beyond only knowing basic inventory and trends. Using this, a company can learn more about their customers, figure out when demand is highest, and much more. With this kind of in-depth info, organizations are able to forecast trends more accurately. The insight big data provides helps organizations manage their supply chains more efficiently.

Improve Visibility

Big data provides organizations with real-time info and updates. This allows companies to know where orders are, what stock is available at different company locations, and the current demand. With this level of visibility, companies are able to provide a higher level of customer service and improve overall efficiency. The demand for real-time visibility from customers is on the rise. They want access to product availability, order tracking, and a variety of delivery options.

This level of visibility also helps staff work more efficiently. When staff know what is going on along the supply chain and with inventory, they can plan accordingly. Having supply chain visibility keeps employees in-the-know and fully equipped to do their job efficiently.

Decrease Reaction Time

Having this visibility from big data also helps to manage risk and decrease reaction time. As a result, companies can engage potential problems before they happen and avoid any setbacks. One example may be a delay along a shipping companies’ transportation route. Big data integration can help notify a company ahead of time if an order is headed that direction, and then re-route the shipment accordingly.

Companies are warned of risk further in advance. They also have the info to make quick and informed decisions right at their fingertips. Big data provides you with the info you need to make informed decisions on-the-fly.

Smarter Sourcing

Big data also helps companies source more effectively to boost profits. By having detailed insights into your inventory and ordering processes, you can easily identify areas improvement. You will know what works well and what needs work. This can bring opportunities you might not have seen before. These benefits could be shipment consolidation or alternate suppliers with more competitive pricing. Big data gives companies a new view into their operations, allowing them to identify areas where they can boost profit more quickly and efficiently.

In conclusion, big data can provide detailed insight into any organization’s operations. It can help companies forecast more accurately, gain real-time visibility, reduce risk, and boost profit through sourcing. However, this is only a small glimpse of what it can do. It may appear as a buzzword to many, but its potential to make big waves in the near future is staggering. Learning how to use it in your organization now will help put you ahead of your competition. Why wait to start boosting operational efficiency?


Footer

Schedule a Demo

Ready to learn more about what Clear Spider can do for you?

Dashed curved arrow

Company

  • About Us
  • Awards and Achievements
  • Careers

Contact Us

  • 1 855-902-5327
  • 905-366-0222
  • info@clearspider.net
  • Contact Form
  • 5749 Coopers Ave
    Mississauga, ON L4Z 1R9

Clear Spider Logo

© 2023 · Clear Spider

Sitemap  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms and Conditions

Bring us your most
complex inventory
problems.

We’ll solve them for you.

Learn more about how Clear Spider can work for you. Fill in the form to receive a quote.

Warehouse Management System - Quote

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By completing this form, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and acknowledged our Privacy Policy. Clear Spider may use this information to provide you with relevant content about our products and services, from which you can opt-out at any time.

Bring us your most
complex inventory
problems.

We’ll solve them for you.

Learn more about how Clear Spider can work for you. Fill in the form to activate our demo at no obligation.

Warehouse Management System

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By completing this form, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and acknowledged our Privacy Policy. Clear Spider may use this information to provide you with relevant content about our products and services, from which you can opt-out at any time.

Bring us your most
complex inventory
problems.

We’ll solve them for you.

Learn more about how Clear Spider can work for you. Fill in the form to activate our demo at no obligation.

Vendor Manged Inventory

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By completing this form, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and acknowledged our Privacy Policy. Clear Spider may use this information to provide you with relevant content about our products and services, from which you can opt-out at any time.

How effective is your inventory management?

VMI Assessment

"*" indicates required fields

Step 1 of 7

14%
What are the factors contributing to increasing costs in your supply chain and inventory operations?*
What are the most common issues your customers experience?*
How accurate are you in tracking on-hand quantities of inventory you have in all your stocking locations?*
What are the challenges you face in getting inventory to where it needs to be at exactly the right time?*
Given your current inventory management system, which of the following features will have the greatest impact on meeting your inventory management goals?*
Is VMI right for you? Can you adopt VMI to increase sales for your business?
The results are in - what email address should we send your results to?
Got it! Just need a couple more details and your results are on their way!
Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Bring us your most
complex inventory
problems.

We’ll solve them for you.

Learn more about how Clear Spider can work for you. Fill in the form to activate our demo at no obligation.

Start Demo - Hero

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By completing this form, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and acknowledged our Privacy Policy. Clear Spider may use this information to provide you with relevant content about our products and services, from which you can opt-out at any time.

Bring us your most
complex inventory
problems.

We’ll solve them for you.

Learn more about how Clear Spider can work for you. Fill in the form to activate our demo at no obligation.

Start Demo

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By completing this form, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and acknowledged our Privacy Policy. Clear Spider may use this information to provide you with relevant content about our products and services, from which you can opt-out at any time.

Please fill out the form below to get your custom quote!

Fill out the form below to see Clear Spider’s Vaccine Management System live!

Vaccine Management System

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By completing this form, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and acknowledged our Privacy Policy. Clear Spider may use this information to provide you with relevant content about our products and services, from which you can opt-out at any time.

Fill out the form below to see SNAP2 in action!

Enter your email to watch our webinar on How to Inoculate Your Supply Chain Against COVID-19.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Enter your email to watch our webinar on Technology vs COVID-19.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Fill out the form below to see SNAP2 in action!

See SNAP2 Live!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By completing this form, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and acknowledged our Privacy Policy. Clear Spider may use this information to provide you with relevant content about our products and services, from which you can opt-out at any time.

Access your full ROI report!

The full report includes Estimated Monthly Savings ($) and Time to Break Even (Months).

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Please fill out the form below to get your custom quote!

Pricing

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By completing this form, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and acknowledged our Privacy Policy. Clear Spider may use this information to provide you with relevant content about our products and services, from which you can opt-out at any time.