ASSIGNMENT 4 REFLECTIVE

JOURNAL
NGUYEN BAO TO

Due date: April 16, 2023

Word counts: 2990
2023-HX01-SCM20003-Global
Logistics and Supply Chain
Management (Hanoi)
Contents

Introduction....................................................................................................................................................2
Response to Question 1..................................................................................................................................2
Response to Question 2..................................................................................................................................3
Response to Question 3..................................................................................................................................4
Response to Question 4..................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................................7
References......................................................................................................................................................7
Introduction
- The pervasive connectivity provided by the Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing logistics
and fleet management. The Internet of Things (IoT) will transform the supply chain from a
sequential, well-defined process to an adaptive, data-driven one. With the help of the Internet of
Things (IoT), the logistics industry as a whole can benefit from increased efficiency and the
introduction of new revenue streams by collecting data on humans, devices, and vehicles.
Keeping tabs on where a given truck or shipment is at any given time has always been difficult in
the logistics industry. Therefore, IoT's revolutionary connectivity is revolutionizing the logistics
industry and fleet management. With the use of IoT, businesses can optimize their supply chain in
terms of cost, transparency, efficiency, maintenance, and automation. This essay is aimed to
describe key concepts and theories and how they are applied in the context of the given questions.

Response to Question 1
- Companies require a means of controlling their increasingly complex supply chains. Meanwhile,
manual methods of monitoring and administration are becoming inefficient and error prone.
Businesses often use SCM programs to solve these kinds of problems. Supply chain procedures
are strongly impacted by automation and faster data access, which improves customer retention
and increases earnings ( SoftwareHut, 2023). Software designed specifically for coordinating and
executing supply chain transactions from producer to retailer to end consumer is called supply
chain management system (SCMS). With the use of SCM software, you may better manage your
warehouse and stock, as well as your shipping and customer care operations. ( Green, 2001)
stated that with more options available, SCM software is rising in popularity among businesses.
Supply chain management (SCM) includes both supply chain planning (forecasting the
availability of components and finished goods) and supply chain execution (producing and
distributing those goods to customers). Some of the applications may provide for material
requirements planning, manufacturing scheduling, and order processing beyond the confines of a
single company, despite their amazingly simple nature. Furthermore, he also explained that third-
party software and system support is becoming increasingly commonplace throughout the supply
chain. Companies that have the in-house expertise to develop their own software nonetheless find
it beneficial to form collaborations with outside software providers and consultants. The software
must be interoperable and integratable so that data may be shared between suppliers and
customers.
 - A real situation in workplace will illustrate the application of SCM software: ABC corp
manufactures sophisticated electronics, which calls for a convoluted supply chain. The company
gets its raw materials from a wide variety of international vendors. However, the firm is suffering
from supply chain delays because of poor supplier visibility and communication. The result is
missed deadlines and dissatisfied consumers as a result of the manufacturing delays. To
counteract this issue, supply chain management software like SAP or Oracle can be implemented.
From the procurement of raw materials through the shipment of finished goods, the software will
provide for complete transparency at all times. ABC Corporation now has real-time visibility into
stock, production, and shipping thanks to this program. This will help them spot problems early
on, before they balloon into something more serious.

Response to Question 2
- Logistics is the management of acquiring, storing, and transporting resources to their final
destination. Distribution and supply chain management entails locating viable distributors and
suppliers and evaluating their efficiency and availability, explained by ( Kenton, 2022). To thrive
on success and profitability, firms need to offer efficient and productive logistic solution to their
customer. According to Lopes and Moori ( 2021), one of the primary solutions is digital
transformation, which makes it possible for physical and digital parts to communicate and
collaborate using tools like the internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). Tharaka de
Vass, Himanshu Shee & Shah J. Miah (2021) showed that the digital capabilities of supply chains
were found to be strengthened by the presence of multiple technologies described under the IoT
umbrella. For instance, RFID ( Radio Frequency Identification) ,was discovered in the logistics
industry at the pallet and container levels. The use of barcode scanners, personal digital assistants,
radio frequency (RF), laser, LED, and camera-based scanners was commonplace. Mobile gadgets
(personal digital assistants [PDAs], radio frequency [RF] scanners) improved warehouse
efficiency by scanning products and picking orders. Automatic guided vehicles (AGVs), such as
automated pallet movers and conveyor control systems, were also commonly used alongside
voice-picking (an online speech instruction and recognition system). The utilization of IP
cameras, video analytics (facial recognition for consumer recognition and context-aware offers),
handheld sensors, unique bar codes for perishable items, and mobile payment systems like Apple
Pay.
- Distribution, warehousing, and transportation are the three sectors of logistic that benefit from the
latest technological advancements. ( Dahibhate et al., 2022, p. 154) believe that to keep their
competitive edge in a challenging market, firms often outsource their logistics operations to LSPs
that specialize in handling complicated logistical processes, and the focus of this thesis is the 4PL
( Fourth – party logistic) and its utilization of IT services to develop options that are both long-
term and budget-friendly. The value of logistics outsourcing in general, and 4PL in particular, is
rising at unprecedented rates, furthermore, in 2019, the global 4PL Logistics Market was valued
at USD 57.65 Billion, and by 2026, that number is projected to rise to USD 84.43 Billion. From
2019 to 2026, the worldwide 4PL Logistics Market is predicted to expand at a CAGR
( Compound Annual Growth Rate ) of 5.5%, as reported by Beckett ( 2023). Therefore,
organizations around the globe choose 4PL providers utilizing advanced digital technologies
( e.g. ERP, TMS, cloud computing…) to enhance stability and productivity of transportation,
inventory, and distribution.
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a well-established phrase for the entrepreneurial effort of
timely and properly planning, controlling, and managing resources including money, people,
 machines, and software to achieve a company's goals. According to Holtschulte (2022), “
Baththaler said that the enterprise resource planning system is still the backbone of the company's
data infrastructure. Networked production data is being incorporated as part of Industry 4.0 and
the broader digitization of manufacturing. [...] Therefore, the solution's architecture must be
designed in a way that makes it simple to incorporate other data sources, such as machines or
third-party applications. If this is not the case, or if it can only be achieved at great expense, I see
no choice except to replace the aging IT infrastructure with a cutting-edge ERP system” (p. 100).
Additionally, they increase supply chain transparency, allowing for quicker, better-informed
decisions to be made about how to save costs across production, distribution, and purchasing.
ERP systems improve planning, streamline production schedules, and provide more precise
delivery date estimates by integrating supply chain data and operations, which can assist
companies guarantee they can consistently deliver on their promises to clients, and increase the
customer retention. Moreover, there is a chain reaction between each successive step in the
supply chain. Inadequate inventory and production bottlenecks are two examples of the problems
that might arise from insufficient preparation. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions aid
firms in spotting possible bottlenecks, communicating relevant information to the appropriate
teams, and allocating the necessary resources to keep production running smoothly and on
schedule. These are the three most outstanding benefit of ERP in logistic and supply chain
management, given by Jenkins (2023).
- Another IT capability should be considered is warehouse management system (WMS).
Interpretation from Holtschulte (2022), “ With the help of a warehouse management system
(WMS), you can track all of the actual commodities that come and exit from your business. […]
While the ERP system is more concerned with value flows in the company, we see the physical
flows of goods via WMS”. A detailed interpretation from Ghiani, Laporte & Musmanno (2013),
Inventory control, order processing, and shipment planning are just some of the functions that can
be improved with the help of a Warehouse Management System (WMS). In order to cut expenses
and boost customer satisfaction, a warehouse management system's major objective is to enhance
the speed and precision with which commodities are moved across the warehouse. While the
main focus of WHS is on the process of warehouse operation, they can also assist with
transportation function. WMS can also be useful for transportation because it allows for constant
monitoring of goods as they move across the warehouse. Delivery times and costs can be cut with
the help of this data by coordinating transportation schedules and optimizing delivery routes
(Mangan, Lalwani, & Butcher, 2011).Overall, any company, no matter how big or little, can
benefit from implementing a warehouse management system (WMS), and here are the benefits it
offers, according to Rosencrane (2021): offer real time inventory data, reduces operating cost,
improve demand forecast, enables digital transformation…

Response to Question 3
- Demand management in logistics and supply chain management is profoundly affected by IoT
(Internet of Things) and Big Data. Better demand forecasting and supply chain efficiency can
result from the incorporation of these technologies in demand management, which can reveal
significant insights into customer behavior and demand trends. To evaluate a firm’s supply chain
performance, demand management is one of the criteria. (Gopal et al., 2022) explained the term
"demand management" is used to describe the processes of predicting and planning output in
response to anticipated demand, setting pricing at the appropriate level, and tracking customers'
loyalty. This aids in identifying not only emerging market trends, but also the reasons of flaws
and failures. In other word, managing and monitoring client demand is what demand management
 is all about. Knowing your clients' goals and needs and taking the appropriate actions to meet
those needs are essential components (Raeburn, 2022).
- An integral part of demand management is demand forecasting. According to Kochak and
Suman, “In terms of both revenue practice and the process management of the supply chain,
demand forecasting (DF) is a crucial strategic point” (Abbate et al., 2022, p. 607). All statistical
techniques used to generate predictions require accurate data and assume that the future will
mirror the past. The key to accurate forecasting is to minimize forecast error by employing a
forecasting method that is optimally suited to the nature of the data. Three prevalent forecasting
methods include: Simple moving average, weighted moving average, and exponential smoothing.
- Moving to data collection and its automation with IoT, data from two sources are used in the
forecasting process: primary and secondary data (Yerude & Singhal, 2017, p. 03). They explained
that the term "primary data" is used to describe information that has never been obtained in this
way before from respondents or devices, while the “secondary date” refers to information that has
been gathered in the past but is relevant here. Physical sensors with unique identities are deployed
at data collection places and communicate with one another and a central database through the
internet to make analytical insights possible. This is the definition of the Internet of Things as it
pertains to data mining. The rapid evolution of IoT systems has enabled seamless eco-system
interaction between smart devices and the generation of real-time data that can be fed into any
application, including demand forecasting. As a result of optimizing their operations, industrial
IoT customers can save a significant amount of money thanks to demand forecasting. Increased
accuracy in demand forecasting is possible as more businesses adopt IoT and data tracking and
monitoring strategies. "customizing the model to accommodate domain-specific requirements and
to suit the unique business needs of the customer" is one way to further enhance demand
forecasting (Barry, 2019). Here are several benefits:
(1) Agility: To avoid more losses, managers can make course corrections in decision making
in real time based on forecasted output. Rapid responses to alleviate the effects of an
operational problem can be implemented thanks to real-time information about the
forecasting mistakes (Yerude & Singha, 2017, p.4)
(2) Position of Strength: There is no static state for a market. The only way to stay ahead of
the competition is to react quickly to shifting market conditions by adapting business
strategies.
(3) Increasing profits: When client needs are tracked and met proactively, service quality
increases noticeably. When problems are anticipated and addressed in a timely manner,
businesses see a significant increase in their bottom line. Improved revenue is another
result of greater in-the-moment insights.
(4) Better scheduling of workers to meet client needs: Getting everyone on the same page
and into the same schedule is a lot trickier than it sounds. Labor scheduling requires
taking into account variables such as demand uncertainty, seasonality, vacations, etc. The
company and its customers might take a major hit if sales are lost due to insufficient
staffing or if labor costs rise as a result of over hiring. By incorporating IoT data into
labor planning, business owners and managers may anticipate future sales, transactions,
and foot traffic with more precision. Accurate demand forecasting data can be used in
conjunction with schedules to prevent unnecessary workforce levels.

- Supply chain data sharing is the activity of sharing information across the various participants in
the supply chain, including but not limited to manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers.
This may involve exchanging data such as stock levels, product availability, and shipment
 updates. The amount of data created is projected to increase three hundred times between 2015
and 2022. The newest innovations in industry 4.0 are designed to streamline business processes.
The sharing of data is already at the core of many industrial operations, including preventative
maintenance and production automation. Supply chain (SC) information sharing is a key driver of
efficiency and competitive advantage. Some of the potential benefits include increased reactivity
in the production chain, as well as increased innovation, co-development, and risk management.
(Mouton, 2019). Many parties in the supply chain benefit from the openness that results from
sharing information regularly:
(1) Collaboration: The coordination between parties improves when information is shared.
One of the main difficulties of SCM is distance (geographical, temporal, or
informational). The proliferation of data-sharing systems has made it possible to fix this
and foster confidence among SC players.
(2) High standards and productiveness: By pooling their information, all participants in
the supply chain have a thorough understanding of its make-up and behavior.
(3) Lower expenses: More efficient financial, human, and material resource management is
the result of data flowing freely amongst supply chain participants.

Response to Question 4
- In particular, the Internet of Things (IoT) allows for the real-time visualization of supply chain
operating operations, data collection, and growth management. The Internet of Things is useful in
the food business because it helps with things like tracking and monitoring the quality of food,
keeping an eye on how much food is wasted, and dealing with unanticipated fluctuations. As
required to provide food-related logistics expertise to an Australian company, here are the four
key strategies to advise the firm with regard to IOT:
i) Food traceability: Not only fresh and perishable foods, but also pre-packaged goods, benefit
greatly from real-time monitoring in order to preserve their organoleptic qualities.
Substandard food poses a serious health risk to consumers (Bigliardi, Bottani & Filippelli,
2022, p. 1831). In order to guarantee the traceability of products across the agrifood chain,
digital technologies from the industry 4.0 era play a crucial role. In particular, tracking
requirements can be met through the integration of IoT and blockchain technologies. In truth,
blockchain is a distributed ledger that helps businesses record transactions and keep track of
their assets. In addition, consumers can track their food from its point of origin to their
shopping baskets, addressing concerns about safety and transparency.
ii) Track and monitor temperature: The food sector relies heavily on temperature monitoring
to ensure the continued quality and safety of its products. Businesses in the food industry,
including restaurants, can keep tabs on the temperatures of their food storage facilities thanks
to food temperature/cold chain monitoring systems. The right measures for food safety can be
ensured in this way (Sigfox, 2023). During their journey through the supply chain, items'
temperatures can be tracked using Internet of Things devices. To keep track of the
temperature of perishable items in transit, for instance, wireless sensors can be installed in
trucks or containers.
iii) Improve inventory management: The repercussions of blunders in the warehouse might be
severe. More time and money are spent correcting inaccurate operations and mistakes. The
usage of Internet of Things devices in a warehouse can cut down on the need for human
labour, the likelihood of human error, and the time it takes to complete tasks. Businesses are
 increasingly using IoT sensors in warehouses to track the flow of goods and inventory. In
addition, businesses are installing shelf-mounted sensors to provide real-time updates on
stock levels to the management system (Grainger, 2020).
iv) Improve Shipping Paths: Businesses may save time and money by using IoT devices to plan
the most efficient delivery routes. Installing GPS trackers on delivery vans, for instance,
allows for constant tracking of their whereabouts and speed. By doing this, firms can
effectively avoid damaged and rotting food during transportation.

Conclusion
- As the number of internet-connected devices continues to rise rapidly, innovations like the
Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data are increasingly finding their way into our daily lives. The
data shared between all the "Internet of Things" (IoT) physical devices is staggering. Any
company working with a network of sensors needs a way to make sense of the data they provide
and spot trends and patterns. Furthermore, Industry 4.0 technology is being implemented to study
and remedy the world's supply chain networks, which are undergoing unprecedented change. The
most well-known of these options is the Internet of Things (IoT) technology, which provides
numerous benefits to the supply chain sector. In general, the logistics and supply chain industries
can greatly benefit from IoT's implementation. Devices connected to the Internet of Things can
help firms optimize supply chain operations and maintain a competitive edge by boosting
visibility, efficiency, downtime reduction, quality control, and customer happiness.

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