IoT-enabled supply chain management and logistics

Abstract

Supply Chain Management (SCM) has evolved over the years, from mechanisation in the 1920s to intelligentisation in the 2000s. Major changes in supply chain are due to challenges in the environment, such as the fragmentation of SCM activities and the introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT). The lack of visibility of assets and transportation management issues in SCM led to research being conducted to alleviate these challenges. In the South African context, the quality and competence of logistics operations, tracking and tracing of assets and management of activities are the main challenges identified in SCM, even though there are numerous companies involved in tracking assets. Effective management of supply chain activities requires the integration of technology into the SCM and logistics value chain. The supply chain value chain includes inbound logistics, outbound logistics, operations, sales, marketing, and supply services. Automating warehouse operations can help to address some of the challenges in SCM. This research paper addresses how the Smart Warehousing Management System (SWMS) and the Fleet Management System (FMS) developed aim to resolve asset tracking and tracing and improving logistics operations. Using the Internet of Things (IoT) in integrating sensors to track assets and improve warehouse operations can reduce SCM challenges. The FMS aims to resolve transportation management issues by tracking and tracing assets in logistics operations, while the SWMS automates warehouse operations, thus, improving SCM activities.