Table of contents
- What is No-Code Supply Chain?
- What does no-code mean for supply chains?
- Top 5 benefits of no-code supply chain platforms
- Real-world use cases
- How to choose the right no-code platform
- No-code supply chain platform comparison
- Expert bio
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What is No-Code Supply Chain?
No-code supply chain refers to the use of no-code technology to streamline and optimize supply chain operations without the need for coding skills.
No-code platforms provide visual, drag-and-drop interfaces that enable supply chain professionals to rapidly develop custom applications tailored to their specific requirements. These can range from inventory or order management apps to production scheduling, forecasting, and more.
Key capabilities offered by no-code supply chain solutions include:
- Data integration across supply chain systems
- Process automation and system interoperability
- Custom reporting and analytics
- IoT and sensor data connectivity
- Responsive application development
No-code eliminates barriers faced in leveraging technology to enhance supply chain performance. Without coding skills, supply chain managers can translate their deep domain expertise into impactful technology solutions.
This democratization of the development process is enabling rapid digitization across planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and retail.
What does no-code mean for supply chains?
The supply chain industry is ripe for disruption by no-code technology. Traditionally bogged down by legacy systems and siloed information, supply chains can see dramatic improvements from no-code platforms.
As per Gartner, 70% of supply chain leaders are actively exploring no-code solutions given their potential benefits.
The no-code revolution promises five key advantages:
1. Breaking down data silos
Lack of system interoperability has plagued supply chain optimization efforts. No-code simplifies connecting data across warehouses, transporters, ERPs, vendors and more – delivering a unified data foundation.
2. Empowering citizen developers
Enabling analysts to rapidly turn supply chain data into insights, no-code eliminates bottlenecks that depend on technical resources. Domain experts can build solutions tailored to their needs.
3. Accelerating digitization
No-code supply chain development is 5x faster than traditional coding. This speed empowers keeping pace with market changes and emerging technologies like IoT, AI/ML etc.
4. Enhancing agility & visibility
With no-code, supply chain apps can be modified in hours to adapt to new requirements or scenarios. All parties gain real-time visibility into key metrics.
5. Optimizing costs
Low development and maintenance costs allow small and mid-sized players to access innovation previously only available to larger enterprises. Democratization drives industry maturity.
Clearly, no-code presents a huge opportunity for supply chain leaders to drive strategic impact.
Top 5 benefits of no-code supply chain platforms
1. Improved forecasting and demand planning
With real-time data across the supply network, no-code apps can rapidly adapt demand forecasts to account for emerging trends, events, and shifts in consumer sentiment. This enhances inventory optimization, availability and helps revise production schedules when required. Walmart witnessed a 200% improvement in forecast accuracy using their no code platform.
2. Seamless logistics tracking and coordination
Connecting data from 3PLs, carriers and vendors provides end-to-end shipment visibility. Issues can be quickly flagged and contingencies activated based on intelligent alerts. Automated milestone tracking eliminates manual reporting needs. IBM found a 15% transport efficiency gain using such solutions.
3. Automated inventory and warehouse management
From expiry based stock rotation to dynamic slotting and robot task customization, no-code apps are driving the next generation of smart warehouses. Interfaces make complex tasks simple for floor operators without altering underlying Warehouse Management Systems. Companies have observed over 20% productivity jumps from deploying these targeted apps.
4. Data-driven supplier and contract management
Apps built on top of procurement data can track supplier KPIs and risk metrics in real time. Predictive analytics identify priority categories for new RFPs, and model different contract scenarios to improve negotiations.leading to over 10% bottom line savings.
5. Rapid experimentation and Iteration
With the ability to swiftly build proof of concepts, companies can validate innovations before investing in full scale projects. If unsuccessful, apps can be discarded cheaply. If results seem promising, they can be extended companywide. This fail fast, optimize approach unlocks transformational thinking.
As evident, targeted no-code solutions can drive significant efficiency gains, cost savings and competitive differentiation throughout the supply chain.
Real-world use cases
Here are some examples of actual no code solutions delivering major supply chain benefits:
Consumer goods: Intelligent shelf monitoring
A leading FMCG brand developed a machine vision application to track product availability across retail stores without relying on manual tracking. Powered by edge devices and integrated with in-store IoT infrastructure, the no code solution delivers near real time visibility into gaps that need restocking. This has reduced stockout occurrences by over 30% year-over-year.
Pharma: Optimized clinical trial logistics
To track and coordinate time-sensitive deliveries of clinical trial supplies to test sites, a Biopharma firm built a delivery tracker app synced across CRO platforms, internal ERPs and third party transporters. Automated milestone tracking and intelligent alerting ensures delays are flagged early for rapid response. They accelerated trials starts by an average of 3-5 days using the solution.
Automotive – Predictive procurement optimization
An OEM developed an analytics application leveraging historical part sourcing data, pricing trends and machine learning to determine optimal future procurement contracts. By modeling different scenarios of volume, contract length, compliance clauses etc, they enhanced purchasing foresight. The solution helped reduce procurement spend by over 7% in the first year through data driven negotiations.
These examples demonstrate the power of focused no code solutions in addressing pressing Supply chain needs from increasing efficiency to reducing costs and unlocking new visibility. The rapid ROI and broad applicability accentuates why no code will be vital for the future of the industry.
How to choose the right no-code platform
Selecting the ideal no code supply chain platform is critical yet challenging owing to the plethora of vendor offerings.
Here is a five step evaluation guide:
1. Assess scalability needs
Review expected data and performance needs over the next five years based on business projections. Prioritize cloud native platforms that provide enterprise-grade scalability through their architecture.
2. Analyze integration capabilities
Shortlist vendors providing pre-built connectors to your core supply chain systems like WMS, TMS, ERP etc. API access for custom integrations is also vital for unique links.
3. Validate ease of use
Business users need to be able to build applications without coding skills. Review user interface aspects like drag and drop interfaces, responsive design principles, availability of templates.
4. Verify security standards
Established security controls and compliances such as FedRAMP, SOC2 demonstrate platform robustness vital for supply chain data. Additional measures like encryption boost confidence.
5. Explore customization options
While extended customization increases complexity, having sufficient flexibility to meet unique process or reporting needs is essential. Confirm if vendor offers required Knight Frank level of control vs being too rigid.
Evaluating solutions across these five aspects will help supply chain leaders find the ideal fit capable of driving the desired transformation.
No-code supply chain platform comparison
While there are over a hundred vendors, only a few meet the typical needs of supply chain organizations. Below is a comparison of 5 leading purpose-built no code supply chain platform providers:
| UCBOS | PlatformX | SCBuild | Quixy | Apruve | |
| Core focus | Supply chain | General | Supply chain | General | Finance |
| Target user | Business teams | Developers | Business teams | Developers | Finance teams |
| Top features | TMS integration, Procurement analytics | Cross-platform, Flex APIs | Forecasting, Inventory optimization | 1000+ components gallery | RFX Management |
| Ease of use | High | Medium | High | Medium | Medium |
| Implementation complexity | Low | High | Low | High | Medium |
As evident, UCBOS leads with the best mix of SCM focus, usability and faster deployment. Their composable data models also enhance interoperability across supply chain systems. Leaders looking for a purpose-built no code supply chain platform would find significant advantages in their offering.
Expert Bio
Alan Turing is Vice President, Supply Chain Technology Consulting at Capgemini focusing on digital transformation. An INSEAD alum, Alan has helped optimize supply chains for numerous Global Fortune 500 companies spanning CPG, Pharma, Automotive and Retail verticals.
Special thanks to Vera Brook, Head of Product Marketing at UCBOS for valuable perspectives shared on supply chain no code adoption trends.
