How to Select the Right Supply Chain SaaS Partner
Every day supply chain activities are prone to constant changes due to uncontrollable factors such as traffic, new rule impositions, etc. Supply chain execution has become even more complex with increasing customer demands regarding service and quality. Today, most logistics companies, manufacturers, and distributors who want to streamline their supply chain processes choose Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions for their digitization needs. The Initial Steps in Selecting the Right Supply Chain SaaS Partner Before implementing a digital supply chain solution, companies need to check if the potential solution partners understand the issues that plague the current supply chain, and how pain points can be addressed using the software. Additionally, companies must: Ascertain if the solution partner will regularly incorporate user feedback into the solution development process. Check if the solution partner will provide an in-house team, that will act as a super-user of the software and provide valuable feedback for the development process. Beyond the Basic Criteria Check Selecting the right SaaS partner for your supply chain requires more than mere technical superiority. It is indeed important, to check if the solution offers superior features that are suitable for your supply chain needs. Additionally, it is important to check if the solution provider is able to understand the complete workflow, and how the individual components (planning, sourcing, inventory, production, warehouse, and transportation) function in unison to achieve the end result of successful delivery fulfillment. The supply chain is constantly evolving, and extending trade to foreign shores is most likely, for which the solution must be able to manage the processes seamlessly. Therefore, companies must look for platforms that offer multiple applications to manage their supply chain execution seamlessly. The following questions will help determine if the supply chain partner will provide continuous improvement in the long run: What is the solution provider’s plan to innovate and grow? Is the technology solution capable of scaling when operations expand? Can the product be integrated with the present supply chain solution? Can the implementation be successfully completed without large expenditures of time, resources, or personnel? Will the new solution engage with systems used by other supply chain network partners? Is there quality customer support to address and correct issues that arise during supply chain bottlenecks? Is there any additional benefit to being in a tie-up with this solution provider? Will the solution drive business transformation in terms of increased efficiency and revenue-building? Companies have to go beyond determining only the scope of work, migration details, network architecture, and other basic information to see if they can derive value from their investment. Answering the above questions will help companies identify a suitable supply chain partner who is passionate about empowering their clients through collaboration and continuous improvement. It is imperative for companies to look for reliable supply chain solution partners who can help drive maximum supply chain efficiency and long-term success. InApp has over 22+ years of deep experience in delivering superior supply chain solutions that leverage disruptive technology and drive lean operations. Our technical expertise coupled with a proven process and quality standards ensures our solutions are perfectly aligned with your business goals. Are you interested in exploring a transformative supply chain solution with us? Drop us a line and we will get back to you at the earliest.
QA Outsourcing is the best option for Test Automation
QA outsourcing is generally considered a means to cut costs. We are not saying cost shouldn’t be a criterion for QA outsourcing. We want to actually introduce a completely new perspective to this discourse. This perspective is one related to EXPERTISE. The concept of “expertise” is especially pertinent in the case of Test Automation. In the course of this article, we will explain why QA outsourcing is the only way to usher in Test Automation in your organization. Let’s examine what is actually done operationally in Test Automation: Write a Test case Run the cases at least once Documents and analyze the tests Based on the analysis select the automation candidates Write the script for these automation candidates Update and debug the script as and when required Now let’s map these tasks by their nature to either coding or testing Write Test cases (neither) Run the cases at least once (testing) Documents and analyze the tests (testing) Based on the analysis select the automation candidates (testing) Write the script for these test cases (coding) Update and debug the script as and when required (coding) As is evident from the mapping of the nature of work to the tasks in test automation, 3 out of the 6 tasks can be performed by a tester and 2 out of 6 by a coder. However, it should not be different people performing these tasks, since it would actually mean double the work. So in the QA platform, what is required is a unique skill set. Someone who has the mindset of a tester and the ability of a coder. Beyond the mindset and the ability, expertise is of paramount importance for a testing company. It is an expertise that software product companies rarely have in-house. So what is this expertise we are talking about: Expertise with Automation tools: There are a number of automation tools available in the market. In order to be an expert automation tester, one needs to be skilled in at least a few such as Selenium, Cucumber, Jasmine, Protractor, and Mocha which are being used by some of the best QA companies. Expertise in Automation frameworks: In many ways, the automation framework is the power behind test automation. The efficiency of test automation depends on how well the automation framework has been designed. An ideal automation framework puts in place a series of reusable scripts and cuts down the effort in test automation in the long run. Many QA testing companies in India lack expertise in designing a test automation framework. Expertise in increasing test coverage: The metric for the measurement of test automation is test coverage. High test coverage means that Automation has been implemented well. But to achieve high test coverage requires an expert to choose the automation candidates judiciously. This is a skill that only comes with experience. Expertise in Testing and script writing As I have mentioned earlier, test automation requires a person with the mindset of a tester and the ability to write scripts. But this person should also have honed his skills by developing and running test scenarios and running automation scripts for these test scenarios. It is very rare to find this expertise in a Software development setup. Therefore it makes complete sense to look for a QA outsourcing partner, with expertise in test automation, to really reap its rewards. InApp has been a long-term Quality Assurance Service Provider to enterprises, SMBs, and startups. Take a look at our case studies on some of our accomplished projects.
Why Technology is Important in Maximizing Supply Chain Efficiency?
Growth in Internet retail has contributed to a massive rise in delivery volumes. In 2016, Internet retail amounted to US$1.86 Trillion. By 2021, it is expected to reach $4.48 Trillion. In addition to this surge in demand, increased customer expectations have brought about a major shift in the way brands approach customer service and deliveries. This has a major impact on the retail supply chain, making it necessary for brands to consider digital technology options to maximize supply chain efficiency. However, the supply chain is plagued by challenges related to infrastructure and cargo movement, that make it difficult to achieve seamless transit of goods. Another challenging issue is that customers demand complete transparency in the supply chain. This has led both retailers and logistics companies to turn to digital technology for help. Digital technology plays a key role in enabling them to manage their operations from dispatch to delivery efficiently, thereby optimizing the entire supply chain. Some of the Supply Chain areas that will benefit immensely from the deployment of technology innovations include: Inventory Management The first step in achieving supply chain efficiency is through proper inventory management. Excess inventory may result in waste, while inadequate inventory may affect the production schedule. Automated inventory management solutions enable manufacturers to plan for the right amount of inventory, schedule for re-fills, and create adaptable business processes. This provides much-needed flexibility for manufacturers to handle the varying supply-demand situations, as well. Moreover, with technology-aided real-time analytics, inventory managers can predict demands, and manage inventory flow efficiently. Delivery Time & Order Tracking Delivery time plays a crucial role in improving supply chain efficiency. It contributes to high customer satisfaction levels, leading to repeat business and high customer loyalty. Warehousing and in-house logistics solutions can improve delivery time through proactive order tracking features. Real-time updates on the product delivery status offer the visibility that the customer expects while ordering goods online. Solutions can even help manufacturers to interact with logistics providers to get real-time updates on the status of shipments. Live tracking mobile apps help expand market reach, drive sales, and win customers easily. Collaboration Between Stakeholders Implementing new communication technologies across the supply chain helps improve collaboration between all those involved in the ecosystem. Sending and receiving timely alerts, notifications, and emails, and tracking the movement of goods at each stop are some of the improvements that maximize efficiency. They help manufacturers and retailers to make more informed decisions, and forecast delivery time, as well. Although the supply chain landscape is a rough terrain to traverse, it also offers numerous opportunities for retailers and manufacturers to pursue. Today, new-age solutions for shipment, fleet management, warehousing, cargo, in-plant logistics, etc., are available to improve supply chain efficiency. They offer better control, clear visibility, detailed analytics, and scalability to meet growing customer demands. The right technology solution leveraged at the right time can grow business exponentially. It also helps companies maximize their efficiency in the last mile, thereby achieving high customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. Do you want to improve your supply chain efficiency with smart technology solutions? InApp offers logistics solutions that drive transparency and faster delivery for retailers. We have 22+ years of experience in this field and harness the power of disruptive technologies such as IIoT, AI, and Machine Learning to drive your supply chain efficiency. If you want to explore our solutions, drop us a line, and we’ll get back to you.
5 Major Challenges of Global Logistics
Logistics is an integral aspect of the supply chain connecting warehouses, manufacturers, and end-users such as vendors, customers, suppliers, and other third parties. It encompasses a wide range of activities that ensure material movement takes place seamlessly from one destination to the other. Global logistics includes the movement of materials and goods between countries, which requires highly optimized processes to meet the time and delivery targets. However, global logistics face 5 major challenges that need to be addressed efficiently in order to ensure a smooth flow of materials and finished goods. The following are the 5 Major Challenges of Global Logistics 1. Infrastructure Since global logistics serves multiple continents, a number of vessels including flights, cargo ships, and trucks, move along international trade lines. The lack of storage infrastructure for large vessels in the destination sites or ports causes delays in material unloading. This causes congestion problems at the shipment port, with materials hauled up in trucks for a long time. Some of the other challenging factors include a lack of technological developments, bad road conditions, and weather problems. 2. Delivery Time Delivery time is a competitive factor in global logistics but there are often factors that delay delivery time. For instance, the US West Coast port is a busy destination servicing a number of vessels starting for overseas deliveries. However, the port has faced many delays with vessels stuck at the port for many days due to delays in the arrival of pick-up containers. This creates backlogs in the distribution warehouses and eventually, a large gap in the final delivery timeline. Political insurgencies, war, storage charges, and holiday seasons also affect the delivery time for global logistics. 3. Carrier Capacity With container carriers servicing a large number of customers, overcapacity in ocean shipping is becoming a great challenge in global logistics. The alternating twin problem of lack of demand and oversupply has been a cause for this. Inside the US, trucker shortages have led to delayed deliveries to ports. An aging workforce and increased regulations are also negatively affecting the overall domestic truck movement. 4. Government Security Regulations Compliance In global logistics, material moves through many channels such as road, sea, and air to reach the final destination. Since shipment is passing through various modes of transportation and a number of logistics dealers, security has become a serious concern. Logistics companies that operate internally and overseas need to be familiar with the US customs security programs such as C-TPAT or AEO to secure their supply chain networks. 5. Transparency of Operations Similar to other industries, logistics is also dictated by customer demands. Offering complete transparency of supply chain deliveries involves too many parties, that may not work in tandem for global logistics. Complete integration of activities within the organization and with other external players is required to make this possible for customers. Each of the above factors is critical to the success of global logistics, and hence, the need to solve the impending issues is high. Effective logistics involves rising above these challenges, to offer top-class delivery service to global customers. In case you are interested in improving your logistics operations, InApp can be the right partner. InApp has over 20+ years of experience in delivering expert logistics solutions, that provide clear process visibility, and much-needed analytics to identify areas of improvement. If you want to learn more about our shipment and fleet management, or smart warehousing solutions, get in touch with us today.
3 Key Disruptive Technologies Impacting Manufacturing
The manufacturing sector is undergoing a huge transformation in the last few years, compared to the past decade, thanks to the implementation of disruptive technologies. Manufacturers are leveraging disruptive technologies to improve their business processes and operations, and in turn, drive growth. An IoT Analytics report (2018) states, “The market for Industry 4.0 products and services is expected to grow to $310B by 2023. “. Cloud computing, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and 3D Printing are the three key drivers of disruptive manufacturing. They help replace existing approaches and processes with highly connected workflows that enable production lines to become more efficient. They enable manufacturers to connect devices on the shop floor and collect data for supply chain tools and analytics. Let’s take a closer look at how each of them is contributing to increased productivity and growth. 1. Cloud Computing Outdated manufacturing computing systems will not be able to keep up with the growing digitization needs of the business. They are not scalable and cannot contribute to the necessary increase in operational efficiency. This is where cloud computing plays a key role in manufacturing. By offering a network of remotely placed servers, that contribute to processing, data storage, and computing, the cloud enables data to be accessed from anywhere, at any time, effortlessly. The primary use of the cloud is that it helps streamline key areas of the manufacturing business while improving collaboration in real-time. Cloud computing enables manufacturing processes to seamlessly connect with a customer or supplier’s ecosystem, as well. The high connectivity enables tighter links across production systems and caters to a better system and end-product integration. 2. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) The IIoT is one of the most influential disruptive technologies to change the way manufacturers operate. IIoT enables them to achieve higher levels of productivity by connecting multiple production lines and machines to facilitate seamless interactions. It helps manufacturers collect huge amounts of data that can be leveraged for a wide range of activities, from real-time visibility to sensing equipment failure to predicting customer behavior. It uses sensors, controls, and automated equipment that facilitate system interaction from remote locations, without any human intervention. IIoT data is also accessible on all devices, including mobile apps. 3. 3D Printing Additive manufacturing, as it’s often called, enables the creation of 3D images of products using raw materials and a digital design as a base, within a few hours. It offers a number of advantages when compared to traditional manufacturing. In a bottom-up method, each part is created layer by layer, according to the design changes made by individual customers. It enables the design-test process by assessing the viability of the product when created using different design aspects. Therefore, it helps drive down costs and eliminate waste, to a large extent. To stay Industry 4.0 competitive, it is imperative for manufacturers to leverage the above disruptive technologies to improve efficiencies and accelerate productivity. This in turn builds organizational capabilities and leads to high customer satisfaction. Do you want to harness the power of disruptive technologies to improve your manufacturing efficiency? With over 21+ years of experience in delivering transformative solutions, InApp can help you make the transition effortlessly. To learn how to leverage our services for your business growth, contact us now.
4 Smart Manufacturing Challenges
Smart manufacturing leverages disruptive technologies such as the Industrial Internet of Things, cloud computing, and Artificial Intelligence to name just a few. The convergence of these technologies serves to connect people, processes, and systems, drive seamless operations, and improve quality and efficiency. Real-time visibility means information is available at the right time for better decision-making. In this ecosystem, processes and workflows are able to communicate seamlessly, and users are able to receive timely notifications and alerts through wearables, PCs, and mobile devices. This aids in the faster resolution of issues, as well. Smart manufacturing drives easy modeling and design of machine parts and equipment, which in turn enables innovation and growth. However, there are some hurdles to overcome. The following are the 4 Smart Manufacturing Challenges: 1. Data Elicitation In manufacturing, the entire process (resource management, quality, finance, HR, subcontracting, production, sales, and service) is managed by a number of systems. Business systems and manufacturing systems give out data in different formats and contexts, making it difficult to use them together. Therefore, to make intelligent decisions, the first hurdle of contextualization needs to be overcome. 2. IT Issues Most manufacturing companies have an overworked IT team that may not have the capacity to deliver the growing number of applications required to set up a smart ecosystem. Internal IT teams also need to take care of infrastructure and application integration, which demands certified individuals to operate the process. There are also network compliance issues to be tackled before setting up new infrastructure. 3. Change Management Applications must be agile enough to adapt to changes, as change is a norm today. IT systems need to incorporate change management programs that will cater to new application development and data extraction needs. The greater the demand for customization, the more time it takes for new processes to be integrated. 4. Legacy Systems Huge legacy systems can be found in most manufacturing houses. Most of them are neither scalable nor flexible. They do not support new integrations and offer old-style dashboards to display performance data. They cannot process data rapidly and do not support real-time reporting. Since the growth rate of today’s manufacturing companies is fast-paced, and the volume of data generated is huge, working with such systems has increased the complexity for IT teams. The legacy systems are not agile and hence, cannot align with a company’s rapid growth. Smart manufacturing enables companies to go past these hurdles and achieve a fully connected and automated system. This enables businesses to operate proactively and more productively. Smart manufacturing uses a combination of various technologies such as cloud computing, analytics, Blockchain, and AI that help optimize the entire manufacturing process, thereby increasing the profit margins, as well. InApp has over a decade of experience delivering disruptive solutions that drive great transformation and innovation. Are you interested in exploring a transformative solution with us? Get in touch with us today.
Migrating from Java 8 to Java 11 – A Guide Note | Java 8 vs Java 11
More companies are embracing cloud computing, attracted by the lower costs, flexibility, and scalability. Cloud-native architecture supports cloud-based applications. It helps organizations with resilience and flexibility via distributed processing, horizontal scaling, and automation.
Ultimately, taking a cloud-native approach is an investment that results in a more scalable and reliable architecture. Here’s what you need to know about cloud-native architecture.
Java 8 to Java 11 Migration Guide | Java 11 Migration
Java version 11 was released by Oracle in September 2018 and is already making its mark in the computer world. Java 11 will serve as an important release that comes with a lot of features and enhancements. With the new release in place, Oracle will officially end its support for JDK 8 in 2019. This calls for a need to upgrade the systems that run on JDK 8 to the newer version. Other reasons to upgrade to Java 11 include the consequent non-availability of patches and security fixes to the Java 8 libraries. Important Changes in JDK 11 Release Before migrating to the new Java 11 version, it’s imperative to determine the major changes it can bring to a software system. The following are the important changes that are happening with the new Java version. Oracle has moved from major releases often at an interval of 3 years or more to a streamlined fixed feature release. A new major is released every 6 months (March and September) Oracle no longer supports 32-bit Windows downloads. Two minor updates for each (one and four months later). There will be no beta versions released. Instead, the updates will be ready-to-use features. Reason to do Java 8 to Java 11 Migration Even though there are no major language changes with Java 11, it has taken full advantage of the features released for the earlier versions. Here are some benefits of upgrading your system to Java 11 Full support for Linux containers – The JVM can now recognize the constraints set by the container control groups. Supports HTTP/2 Requests And Responses. TLS 1.3 The new default set of root authority certificates Java platform module system JShell Support for “shebang” Java files! #!/bin/java Getting Started on the Java Migration The purpose of this guide is to understand more about the latest Java version and how to proceed as you migrate your existing Java application to the latest JDK release. The document also highlights the significant changes and enhancements that come with the recent Java release.
Cloud Computing Services for Modern Manufacturing
Globally, many manufacturing companies are expanding to new horizons and diversifying their operations, thanks to the advent of the Industry 4.0 revolution. Rapid transformation is taking place in the technology forefront, and cloud computing plays a pivotal role in bringing about this change. According to Gartner, “Cloud computing is a style of computing in which scalable and elastic IT-enabled capabilities are delivered as a service using Internet technologies.” Cloud Computing Services offer the following benefits for modern manufacturing practices: A TBR report states that “Agile manufacturers are planning to move their mission-critical applications to the cloud while citing security, integration, and performance as factors”. Cloud computing services can be deployed as Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), or Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Initially, the manufacturing industry leveraged cloud computing to improve primary processes such as warehouse and quality management. It is also being utilized to drive paperless workplaces, thanks to the high connectivity it provides. Cloud computing is also making it possible for companies to look deeper into data sets, and derive insights into equipment and process performance. This helps to track and analyze product quality, facilitating the improvement of quality levels and creating a competitive advantage for the company. Gauging equipment effectiveness helps analyze the health of machinery and tools and extend their performance. Discrete manufacturing involves build-to-order and configure-to-order workflows, which require real-time integration of multiple applications. Cloud computing contributes by offering seamless data transfers, reducing cycle time, and enabling easy recording of each process in detail. It provides a foundation for connected manufacturing. Another important reason cloud computing is being adopted more widely is that it empowers managers to assess supply chain performance, which contributes to better decision-making and forecasting. What’s Next? Cloud computing’s connectivity for machines, systems, and stakeholders is positively impacting modern manufacturing companies at various levels. At the enterprise level, its impact will be seen in the way how companies efficiently and seamlessly manage their operations and system integrations. This includes all the high-level processes such as production, finance, ERP, HR, training, and others. At the production level, cloud computing will change the way products are designed, developed, assembled, and packaged. It will play a key role in connected manufacturing that uses new technology such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), 3D printing, and generative design to operate seamlessly. To derive maximum benefits from cloud computing, modern manufacturing companies need to have a comprehensive cloud strategy to maximize their Return on Investments (ROI). Cloud computing partners should be chosen based on their solution’s scalability, security, flexibility, process documentation, and training capabilities. InApp has over 22+ years of experience driving transformation with best-in-class manufacturing solutions. If you are looking to deploy cloud solutions for your manufacturing concern, please contact us, and we would be glad to help.
5 More Smart Manufacturing Trends for 2019
Manufacturing companies across the globe are embracing the Industry 4.0 revolution with the implementation of disruptive technologies. Smart manufacturing leverages one or a combination of such technologies to support existing practices on the shop floor and drive the adoption of new automated industry practices.