The Reality of Service Supply Chain Operations:
It’s More Than Just
Moving Spare Parts

It seems like it should be easy to move something from point A to point B, the moment it is needed. A lot of logistics companies say they can do it, and just because they say they are capable, it doesn’t mean they can accomplish this seemingly simple task.

Since data is constantly changing and there is very little advanced notice for these frequent and recurring moves, perhaps this isn’t about moving parts at all. Instead, it’s about the readiness to move them. The readiness to deliver, with limited info and without warning—and get parts delivered to the end customer, in sometimes less than an hour.

Dimensions of Readiness

Before any parts move, advanced preparation has already been established and includes parts analysis, package obtainability, knowing a customer’s fully installed base, and identifying what inventory is required to deliver support. Innovative service supply chain providers must work with customers to ensure their master parts lists are accurate before anything moves.

Once these parts are strategically positioned and ready for transport, meaningful technology must be deployed to know who ordered what and why it is on the move. OEMs who integrate supply chain ERP software help service logistics providers seamlessly intermingle with their customers’ teams to assess alternatives in the moment, and examine solutions based on optimizing speed and cost.

The Domino Effect

Anticipating customer needs can be accomplished by gathering rich data during service events and through service supply chain providers exchanging information with customers to show how to improve responsiveness.

Over time, a customers’ installed base will change as do the services expected. This dynamic collaboration requires a living and breathing network, not a static set of warehouses that were optimized for use in a previous decade. To anticipate customer requirements, successful service logistics providers must lay the groundwork and guide customer outcomes via analytics and insights that uncover opportunities for cost savings and increase returns on inventory investment.

Creating an Extension of Your Team

For true obstacle avoidance, to quickly coordinate the part transfer to the engineer, and to service the end customer quickly, technology that monitors inventory on-demand must accompany your service supply chain strategy.

However, it is about more than moving a part. It’s the commitment to set up everything needed well before any parts are moved. As an OEM, you promise each of your end-user’s various service logistics support and services within your SLAs. By choosing a service logistics partner that not only gets it, but lives it 24/7/365, will position you to keep those promises, increasing your brand reputation, establishing longer client retention, and higher customer satisfaction. Now that’s a win, win, win.