Our partners at Software Advice are always on lookout for ways to help companies compete and find the best tools for their business needs. One of the company’s market research assistants, Forrest Burson, recently published an interesting piece entitled: “6 Ways Amazon Is Changing Supply Chain Management in 2016,” (link). Not only did this article reinforce the view that Amazon is leading the way in terms of logistical speed and efficiency, it also shone a light on the possible future of supply chain management.
With that in mind, we reached out to Forrest for more background into what e-Tailers can learn from the trail that Amazon is helping to blaze. You’ll also find a couple of links back to their content where you can find additional information.
PathGuide: What can smaller businesses learn from Amazon that may help them compete?
Forrest: Amazon is well known for the automated robots it uses in its warehouse, which of course cost a pretty penny to implement on the scale that Amazon does things. So, I’m not sure any small company could replicate that. But, what small businesses can do is automate manual processes through warehouse management software.
PathGuide: So, if SMBs can’t compete on scale, are there any areas where they can possibly beat Amazon?
Forrest: There are some instances where SMBs can have the edge over Amazon, especially if they are a niche retailer. So, one way to keep a competitive advantage is to build up a client base that keeps coming back—offering them deals, always having a stocked inventory and providing a superior product selection.
PathGuide: Amazon is always in the news. Is it important to track what they’re doing?
Forrest: For a lot of small retailers, Amazon is both a competitor as well as a service they rely on, and a channel they might even sell through. It’s critical to keep an eye on what Amazon does because when it moves, the world tends to shake.
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