Many supply chain processes are still manually executed or supported by a variety of different systems, and the fulfilment of a process may require the interaction with different databases, systems, communication platforms, persons, or companies. The attempt to overcome this challenge by implementing off-the-shelf systems which claim to cover all supply chain process requirements has failed.

In addition, supply chains have become much more complex to manage as linear chains have been replaced by multidimensional networks with nodes that influence each other and change continuously. The need for agility, visibility, and efficiency has dramatically increased - Resilience is now a must.

DPA and RPA are innovative solutions offering high value with short paybacks by digitalizing processes. Both technologies have been widely implemented in the banking and insurance industries, or in the finance and administration departments of major companies. There are numerous opportunities in Supply Chain where DPA is just starting to be deployed, but it is already delivering significant savings where utilized.

DPA uses low-code development tools to automate processes, becoming an orchestrator of Human and Digital Workforce (Bots - RPA's), Back End Systems and AI, from different departments or different companies.

It can be applied on all supply chain and logistics processes and there is no need to change existing legacy systems, virtually eliminating the risks, complexity, and associated costs of such changes.

Digital Process Automation is the evolution of traditional Business Process Management (BPM) to help businesses transform end-to-end processes and deliver enterprise-wide digital transformation.

While it is true that Digital Process Automation may help reduce headcount in administrative tasks and ensure a robust and consistent process, the real value when applying DPA in supply chain processes comes from achieving: 

• Agility by reducing processes and decision-making lead times
• Visibility by digitally integrating all process stakeholders, no matter which system they use, for which company they work, or in which continent they are based
• Resilience, because agility and visibility are key elements to anticipate and reduce reaction times and recovery times in case of disruptions
• Process quality and consistency, because once the process is automated there is less room for errors, even if there is human interaction
• Process efficiency, either by reducing head count or by using the existing head count for more valuable tasks, improving the supply chain performance
• Filling functional gaps, as while you automate the process you can develop low code business rules that help you improve the process, avoiding complex software developments
• Supply chain performance, when all the above aspects are combined within supply chains

• Systems interaction is needed
• Business Logic under different systems
• High transactional processing volume
• Workflows Customization
• Changeable Processes

• Processes concentrated in one system
• Low transaction volume
• Processes very stable

Supply chain processes are typically modeled with Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN). You can use Bizagi Enterprise Modeler or any other available tools.

To automate the process with Bizagi, you use Bizagi Studio and Automation to Build and Automate the process modeled, and you manage the process in the cloud-based platform.

• Re-engineering the As Is Process into a best in class To Be Process
• Integrating different stakeholders in the process
• Adding business rules throughout the process filling functional gaps and enhancing the process, avoiding the implementation of complex IT systems
• Focusing on achieving supply chain performance through agility, visibility, resilience and efficiency

• Customer or supplier onboarding
• Master data management and alignment
• Collaborative promotional planning
• Touchless Order Processing
• Specific customer requirement management / trade terms compliance
• Distributed order management from Direct Plant deliveries to deliveries from Stores
• Carrier selection
• Mobility Solutions for salesforce