Supply Chain App Development: Features, Benefits, and Development Process

Almost every industry is taking the digital ladder to modernize and match the pace of today’s tech-driven market. The supply chain sector is also an active participant in this digitalization race. This is the reason that investing in supply chain app development will be a fruitful decision for your business growth.

Developing this application will be a technological upgrade for your business and a strategic move that can transform your supply chain operations. It holds the potential to offer an efficient and optimized supply chain process that can support your global expansion.

Here, through this blog, we have provided you with the vital aspects you need to consider before deciding to invest in mobile supply chain app development.

What is a Mobile Supply Chain App?

A supply chain management app or mobile SCM app is designed specifically for smart mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. These applications help streamline and enhance different aspects of your supply chain management process. It is one of the invaluable tools that can increase the work efficiency of logistics managers and supply chain professionals working for businesses of all sizes.

If you are considering investing in supply chain app development, it can empower you to make faster, data-driven decisions to enhance your overall operational efficiency.

Not just the applications but SCH software solutions are also in high demand.  

You can see the market status; there is an increment in people leveraging digital transformation services to upgrade their supply chain processes. Choosing to develop SCM applications or software is also a part of this process.

As per the report, global supply chain management software has a market value of $15.8 billion in 2022. It is anticipated to reach $33.9 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 12.6%.

Also read: You can read more about our supply chain management software development services for our clients.

You can also become part of this booming market by choosing to custom-build your supply chain app after recognizing your target audience from a reputed development company. Below, we have mentioned some of the major benefits that your business can gain after investing in this app development project.

Read More: How to Bring Digital Transformation To Your Supply Chain Management?

Why Should You Invest in Supply Chain App Development?

Investing in supply chain management app development can be a game-changer for your business, as every vital aspect of this process will be at your fingertips. There are numerous perks that your business can gain after you decide to launch your application for managing supply chain processes. Here we have mentioned some of the major ones for you:

Efficiency and Automation

You will have to agree that with a well-designed mobile supply chain app, your business can automate a myriad of tasks that used to be time-consuming and error prone. You can say goodbye to manual data entry, repetitive paperwork, and the risk of human errors muddling up your supply chain process.

Automation not only speeds up processes but also ensures consistency, accuracy, and cost savings. You’ll be amazed at how much smoother your operations can run when your supply chain rolls along efficiently with the automation offered by this application.

Real-Time Visibility

 It will be best if you have a crystal-clear view of your entire supply chain process in real-time, and now it’s possible when you have an application. From the moment a product leaves your supplier’s warehouse to the instant it arrives in your customer’s hands, you’ll know exactly where it is, how it’s doing, and when it’s expected to reach its destination. 

Real-time visibility is more than just a convenience; it’s a strategic advantage. It empowers you to make informed decisions on the fly, respond quickly to unexpected delays or surges in demand, and keep your customers in the loop with accurate tracking information.

Read More: How B2B Cloud Integration Services are Shaping Supply Chain Management?

Inventory Optimization

The bane of many businesses is excess inventory or, conversely, running out of stock when it’s needed most. Do you also have similar issues? Well, worry not, as when you invest in supply chain app development, it offers you the perk of inventory optimization. 

These apps hold the potential to analyze historical data, current demand, and other factors to determine the right amount of stock to keep on hand. It means you can reduce holding costs, avoid stockouts, and free up capital that was previously tied up in excess inventory. 

Demand Forecasting

Forecasting the future is a daunting task, as it involves minutely observing market trends, customer demands, and other vital data. But supply chain management apps excel in it as they use advanced analytics to predict customer demand with uncanny accuracy. 

By analyzing historical sales data, market trends, and even external factors like the weather, this app can give you a glimpse into the future of your business. Armed with these insights, you can align your production, inventory, and marketing efforts to match expected demand. 

Enhanced Customer Experience

The market today is customer-centric, and in order to achieve success in the long run, it is vital to retain and attract customers. A mobile supply chain app can help you deliver the best customer experience by optimizing your supply chain process. It can offer your customers on-time deliveries, accurate order fulfillment, and responsive customer service.

Customers will appreciate the reliability and transparency of your operations, which can lead to increased loyalty and positive word-of-mouth referrals. Ultimately, an enhanced customer experience can set you apart from competitors and boost your reputation in the market.

Supply Chain App Development- Major Features

One of the major elements that can impact the success of your mobile supply chain app is its features. It is the features that empower your application to deliver the functioning it is developed for. 

Here, we have categorized the features into two segments; below, the table showcases some of the basic yet vital features that are a must to be within your application. And then, we have mentioned some of the tech-driven advanced features to make your application unique in this tech-driven market.

In order to set your supply chain management app different from your competitors, consider implementing the following advanced features to your application:

Augmented Reality (AR) for Warehouse Operations

Warehouse operations are very significant to be managed in order to increase the overall efficiency of your supply chain process. With the features of AR, you can revolutionize the operations of your warehouse. With AR in your supply chain app, warehouse personnel can perform tasks with unprecedented efficiency and precision.

AR-driven tools paired with your application can not only accelerate the picking process but also minimize errors, reducing the chances of shipping the wrong products. Not only this but AR can also be used for quality control, allowing your workers to identify defective items quickly.

IoT Sensor Data Integration

Another feature that can transform your supply chain app into a real-time powerhouse is the IoT sensor data integration. IoT sensors provide a constant stream of data from various points along the supply chain, offering insights that were previously impossible to attain.

For example, sensors can monitor the condition of goods in transit. Temperature, humidity, and shock sensors can ensure that perishable goods remain within acceptable temperature ranges and are handled gently. With this level of real-time monitoring, you will be able to minimize spoilage and damage, reduce losses, and maintain product quality.

Integrating IoT sensors can also track the location and condition of assets, such as shipping containers, vehicles, and equipment. You can use this data for precise tracking and efficient route optimization. You need to leverage the IoT development services from the best app development company like Matellio. Only then can your IoT sensor integration deliver you the desired results.

Read More: Everything You Need Know About IoT Supply Chain Management!

Advanced Robotics and Automation

Advanced robotics and automation are reshaping the way supply chain operations are carried out. Your investment in supply chain app development can be fruitful if you consider using the power feature of advanced robotics and automation within your application. By integrating these technologies into your supply chain app, you can supercharge efficiency and precision across various aspects of your supply chain process.

Autonomous robots can collaborate with your human workers in your warehouses to pick, pack, and move items with lightning speed and unmatched accuracy. These robots can navigate through warehouse shelves, avoiding obstacles and optimizing their routes. With this level of automation, you not only increase your work efficiency but also reduce the risk of injuries and fatigue-related errors.

By using this feature, you can also manage inventory levels. Your automated systems can monitor stock levels, generate replenishment orders, and adjust storage locations, ensuring that inventory is always optimized.

Cybersecurity AI

As supply chain apps become increasingly interconnected and reliant on data exchange, cybersecurity is paramount. The feature of cybersecurity AI can safeguard your supply chain management app and the sensitive data it handles.

It offers AI algorithms to detect and respond to potential security threats in real-time. It can identify abnormal patterns of user behavior or network traffic that may indicate a breach or cyberattack. When a threat is detected, the AI can take immediate action to mitigate it, such as blocking suspicious network activity or alerting cybersecurity teams.

Additionally, cybersecurity AI can continuously assess the security posture of your supply chain app, identifying vulnerabilities and recommending remediation actions. It can also monitor compliance with industry-specific regulations and standards, ensuring that your app meets the necessary security requirements.

How to Begin a Supply Chain App Development Process?

Developing the mobile supply chain app can be a bit of a complex process. But to tackle these complexities, you need to follow some vital steps that will help you in developing the application efficiently. Here, we have mentioned some of the major steps for you to explore:

Market Research and Defining the Requirement

To begin with, you need to have well-researched data by your side. Research work can open all the blockages that you might face in your development process. It is essential to understand your target audience, and it can be done only through research work. Your users are the reason why you want to hire the best mobile app development services and develop an application that can beat your competitors. 

In order to be very precise about your application and its development, it’s vital to go through the answers to some questions like:  

• Who is your target audience?
• Why is a supply chain app needed?
• What are the latest trends and technologies to consider for your app development?
• How are your competitors handling such projects, and what difference do you want to offer?

These questions will give you a clear picture of your project requirements. You will be able to form an outline of your project objectives and strategies.

Hire Mobile App Developers for your Project

Moving to the next step, it is again very significant and will directly impact the success of your supply chain management app. After having a clear idea about your target audience, you know precisely what you wish to develop.

But to convert your ideas into reality, you would require having the best development team with you. It is where you would need an experienced app development company, just like Matellio.

By choosing us to hire app developers, you can easily get the required services under one roof. Our dedicated developers also follow the best methodologies, which help you eliminate rework and surprises and offer you more time to market your product.

On the other hand, when you choose to set up your in-house development team, it can add more complexities to your development process. You would be required to set up the entire system from scratch. It will extend your project development timeline and will be heavy on your development cost.

Choose the Suitable Development Platform and Tech Stack

Now that you have leveraged the best enterprise mobility services offered by an experienced development company, it’s time to make another wise decision. The experts of your development team will help you in making this choice by understanding the requirements of your target audience through research work.

You can choose the particular platform that is preferred by your target audience, and it can be iOS or Android, or for the best, you can opt for cross-platform app development. With the cross-platform, you will be able to reach the audience from all the platforms from a single app.

Next comes the right tech stack required for supply chain app development. Here, we have mentioned some of the general technologies for you. It can be altered as per your project requirements:

Development Methodology

After choosing the suitable tech stack and development platform, it’s time to begin the development process. But one of the most significant steps that you must not forget is to choose the right development methodology, which is Agile. It will be best if you choose an agile method for your mobile supply chain app development process.

Agile methodology mitigates the risks associated with long development cycles. Delivering working increments of the app on a regular interval can help in identifying and addressing risks or usability issues within the app.

So, it would not be wrong to say that agile methodology promotes transparency and accountability within your development team. You and your developers will be on the same page when it comes to your app development process.

Test and Launch

Once your development process is complete, it’s time to move to the testing processes. It plays a vital step, and you must not miss testing your mobile supply chain app if you want your project to be successful.  

Make sure that the development company you choose offers you different testing techniques to ensure that your software is smooth with all its functionalities. Testing will help in detecting the bugs that were left unidentified during the MVP or other development processes.

At Matellio, we offer unit testing, security testing, compatibility testing, and others to ensure that your application is flawless. Once everything is ready as per your desire, it’s time to launch your application for your users on the platform that you want.

Why Should You Choose Matellio as a Supply Chain App Development Partner?

Your supply chain app development investment can be successful if you choose the right partner for developing the same. After scrolling here, you will be clear about what kind of application you want for your target audience. Well, in order to turn your ideas into reality, you would need a development company offering the best.  

This is where Matellio enters!

By choosing us, you can foster a culture of open communication and achieve remarkable outcomes. We are committed to delivering high-standard applications, and so you are offered a variety of services such as researching, choosing tech stack, developing UI/UX, testing, and more.  

You can also avail yourself of our technology consulting services, and our experts will guide you about the best advancement that you can add to your application. You can discuss every aspect of your project idea with us as we make sure to follow robust security regulations to keep your data safe.

If you have any kind of doubt regarding the development cycle, want to learn about the development cost, or need consulting services to align your ideas, reach out to our experts by filling out this form.