The Supplier Portal Implementation Journey - QR code creation for material at Supplier end

We have implemented "ASN with QR code Stickers" creation at supplier end to automate material movement right from Supplier end till material issued to Shop floor / cost center.

This supplier portal is designed, developed on ERPNext (Frappe platform) to reduce cost of implementation and License cost.

In this case study, we delve into the successful implementation of a Supplier Portal at a leading manufacturing client. The objective was to streamline supply chain operations, enhance collaboration with suppliers, reduce operational cost, and improve overall efficiency. This narrative takes you through the client's journey, highlighting the challenges faced, the solution developed, and the benefits achieved.

Challenges :

Our Manufacturing client was facing several challenges in its supply chain operations. The company relied on a large network of suppliers, making communication and coordination a complex and time-consuming process. Manual procurement processes, paper-based documentation, and lack of real-time information were major pain points. This resulted in delayed deliveries, inventory issues, and increased costs.

The Vision :

Recognising the need for a modern and integrated solution, our manufacturing client set out to implement a Supplier Portal. The vision was to create a centralised platform that would enable seamless collaboration with suppliers, automate procurement processes, and provide real-time visibility into the supply chain.

Also our vision is that data should be created at first step in supply chain and same data should be used/verified in multiple stages. No data entry creation at multiple stages in supply chain.

The Solution :

Our manufacturing client and our team decided to implement the Supplier Portal. Our team conducted a thorough analysis of the client's requirements, existing systems, and processes. We ensured that the solution that addressed the key pain points and aligned with the client's objectives.

QR Code creation at supplier will help us to track each box with PartNo, supplier information, Qty, Batch etc to Inward and issue material to production. We can save time in manual data entry in ERP, instead scan the box, pack of supplier to automate stock entry in ERP.

The Supplier Portal was built as a cloud-based platform with the following key features:

1. Supplier Onboarding: A streamlined process for onboarding new suppliers, including document submission, verification, and approval.
2. Order Management: Suppliers could view purchase orders, update delivery status, and generate QR code labels directly through the portal.
3. Inventory Management: Real-time inventory visibility enabled suppliers to monitor stock levels, plan production accordingly, and reduce shortages or overstock situations.
4. Document Management System: Document sharing, and issue resolution between our Manufacturing client and its suppliers.
5. Performance Analytics: Dashboards and reports provided performance metrics, such as delivery accuracy, lead time, and quality ratings, enabling data-driven decision-making.

Implementation Journey :

The Supplier Portal implementation was carried out in multiple phases, with close collaboration between the client's team and the our project team. The phases included system design, development, testing, training, and deployment.

During the implementation, change management played a crucial role. The project team conducted workshops, training sessions, with supplier and end users in purchase department and provided extensive documentation to ensure a smooth transition for both our client and its suppliers.

Regular feedback and iterative improvements were incorporated to enhance user experience and address any unforeseen challenges.

Benefits :

The implementation of the Supplier Portal brought significant benefits to our manufacturing client:

1. Enhanced Collaboration: Real-time communication and information sharing between the company and its suppliers improved overall collaboration, leading to faster issue resolution and improved response times.
2. Streamlined Procurement: The automated procurement processes reduced manual effort, eliminated paper-based documentation, rely on Email communication and streamlined order management, resulting in shorter lead times and increased operational efficiency.
3. Improved Inventory Management: Real-time inventory visibility helped suppliers optimise stock levels, reducing stock-outs and minimising excess inventory costs.
4. Performance Tracking: The performance analytics provided actionable insights into supplier performance, allowing our manufacturing client to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions.
5. Cost Savings: The streamlined processes and improved efficiency resulted in cost savings through reduced lead times, minimised stockouts, and better negotiation power with suppliers.

Conclusion:

The successful implementation of the Supplier Portal at our manufacturing client revolutionised their supply chain operations. The centralised platform streamlined communication, improved collaboration, and provided real-time visibility, resulting in increased efficiency, cost savings, and improved overall performance. With the Supplier Portal, our manufacturing client continues to lead in the competitive automotive parts manufacturing industry, setting new standards for supply chain excellence.

If you need any more information, please contact satish@vedarthsolutions.in

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About Author:

Satish Aralkar (Founder – Vedarth Solutions) is SAP consultant having 15 years of SAP implementation and 12 years of Domain experience in manufacturing domain. Currently working on ERPNext implementations, Automation and Digital Transformation.