How to Automate Your Supply Chain & Eliminate Manual Work

Managing operations across the supply chain can feel like juggling chainsaws—especially when bottlenecks, manual order entry, and outdated tools get in the way. But supply chain automation is here as the solution to streamline your processes. Suppliers aiming to improve efficiency and customer experience can adopt strategies that seamlessly connect online and in-store operations.

Rather than manually updating inventory or trying to make siloed systems communicate, automation ensures everything works together seamlessly. Tools like automated inventory management systems and data-enhanced middleware platforms (such as OrderEase) integrate your ERP, order management, and inventory systems into one cohesive network. The result? Less manual input, fewer errors, more time to focus on growing your business, and more opportunities to expand to new sales channels.

The supply chain automation landscape is evolving rapidly. Businesses in industries like consumer goods, lumber, building materials, and pet supplies are facing increasing challenges in managing operations, minimizing bottlenecks, and scaling for growth. These complexities demand innovative, technology-driven solutions.

What Is Supply Chain Automation?

Supply chain automation is the game-changer that keeps your business running smoothly. In simple terms, it’s about using technology to handle the repetitive tasks that usually take up your time—like order entry, inventory tracking, warehouse operations, and even shipping logistics.

With modern tools like automated inventory management software and automated warehouse systems, companies can drastically reduce the amount of manual work required. By leveraging advanced tools such as cloud-based platforms, artificial intelligence (AI), and integrations with ERP systems, businesses can streamline the flow of information to minimize errors and delays.

The result? Your operations become more efficient, scalable, and adaptable to changing market conditions.

Here’s what supply chain automation looks like in practice:

• Automatic order processing without human intervention
• Real-time automated inventory tracking across multiple locations
• Effortless communication between suppliers, vendors, and logistics partners
• Optimized workflows for automating warehouse operations like picking, packing, and shipping orders
• Data-driven insights to improve decision-making
  
  

For supply chain managers, operations managers, and industry directors, this translates to smoother processes, lower costs, a more scalable business, and more satisfied customers and employees.

How Supply Chain Automation and Inventory Tracking Improve Efficiency

McKinsey highlights that successful automation isn’t just about boosting efficiency—it’s also about improving the experiences of both customers and employees. Companies that take this broader approach see better results, with automation leaders being over twice as likely to prioritize these experiences. For wholesale operations, automating tasks like order entry, inventory tracking, and warehouse processes can significantly enhance fulfillment speed and accuracy.

By focusing on solutions like automated inventory management systems and streamlining warehouse operations, businesses can address supply chain bottlenecks and simplify complexity. Automation doesn’t just cut costs; it helps the entire supply chain run more smoothly, improving outcomes for everyone involved.

Why Manual Processes Remain—and When to Automate Your Operations

Manual processes often work well for smaller businesses or when production volumes are low. They are straightforward, cost-effective, and don’t require significant upfront investment in automated warehouse systems or software. However, as businesses scale, manual workflows can become bottlenecks in the supply chain.

For example, tasks like order entry or inventory tracking that were manageable with a small team can quickly become time-consuming and error-prone as order volumes grow. Scaling operations while relying on manual processes typically means hiring more staff, which adds costs and complexity without addressing inefficiencies.

Competitors leveraging warehouse automation technologies or implementing automated inventory management systems often fulfill orders faster and more accurately. This shift toward automation creates pressure for growing businesses to adopt automated solutions to stay competitive. With over 80% of organizations planning to invest in automation in 2025, staying ahead means making automation a priority.

Transitioning to automation, such as integrating an automated inventory tracking system or adopting fully automated warehouse systems, is essential for businesses managing operations across the supply chain. Not only does automation reduce manual work, but it also improves accuracy, speeds up order fulfillment, and provides real-time insights into inventory levels.

While manual processes have their place in small-scale or custom production, scaling businesses benefit significantly from the efficiency and reliability that automation offers. Investing in automation ensures they can keep up with demand, avoid supply chain bottlenecks, and maintain a competitive edge.

Challenges of Managing a Supply Chain Manually

Managing a supply chain without automation can lead to various issues that slow down your operations and increase costs. Complexity in the supply chain often arises when processes become fragmented or outdated, especially when different systems don't communicate effectively. This disconnect creates barriers to real-time visibility and efficiency, making it harder to scale operations.

If any of these challenges sound familiar, your organization may have opportunities to improve:

• Supply chain bottlenecks caused by manual processes that limit scalability.
• Lack of real-time visibility from disconnected systems and outdated tools.
• Order entry and inventory errors that lead to higher costs and delays.
• Inefficiencies in automated warehouse systems preventing optimized operations.
  
  

What causes supply chain bottlenecks, you may wonder? The bottlenecks in the supply chain can result from a variety of factors. Often, it's the reliance on outdated tools or inefficient manual processes that slow down workflows. A bottleneck in supply chain occurs when a specific point in the process can’t keep up with demand, creating delays that ripple throughout the entire system. 

What is a bottleneck in the supply chain exactly? It’s a bottleneck that prevents goods from moving efficiently, slowing down fulfillment times and affecting customer satisfaction. What is causing the supply chain bottleneck in your organization may be rooted in these outdated methods, which create significant gaps in your ability to scale.

Lester Barnes, Senior Sales Director at Scotts, shares how manual processes affected their efficiency: "The old way of doing business by fax and phone was putting more cost on my business. The manual order-taking process was causing issues with order changes, errors, and lacking real-time insight into inventory levels." It was officially time to embrace supply chain automation.

The Benefits of Supply Chain Automation

Supply chain automation helps make your operations run more smoothly, allowing your team to focus on the important tasks that drive growth. By using tools like order management platforms that connect different systems, businesses can eliminate inefficiencies, improve workflows, and set themselves up for long-term success. 

The benefits are clear—automation can simplify your processes and set your business on the path to greater efficiency and scalability. Let’s dive into how automation can make a real difference for your business. Below, we’ll explore the key benefits that come with embracing supply chain automation:

Enhanced Efficiency

Supply chain automation eliminates the repetitive and error-prone tasks that slow down operations, effectively addressing supply chain bottlenecks. By leveraging tools such as automated inventory management software, businesses can streamline processes like order entry, inventory tracking, and warehouse operations.

For example, an automated inventory system ensures accurate stock levels across multiple locations, minimizing the risk of overselling or understocking. Similarly, automating warehouse operations through robotics or conveyor systems enhances speed and precision in tasks like picking, packing, and sorting. These improvements allow supply chains to operate smoothly, even during peak demand periods.

Moreover, automation enables managing operations across the supply chain without unnecessary delays, ensuring that tasks like shipment scheduling, supplier coordination, and order entry are handled efficiently and with minimal human intervention.

Real-Time Data Visibility

A significant advantage of automated inventory tracking systems is the ability to access real-time data throughout the supply chain. Modern solutions offer an end-to-end view of inventory, orders, and deliveries, helping you stay informed and agile in responding to changing circumstances.

With automated inventory management software, businesses can track stock levels, warehouse capacity, and order progress at a glance. This transparency reduces the complexity often associated with managing operations across siloed systems, providing a unified perspective on supply chain performance.

Real-time insights also empower better decision-making. For example, Scotts Canada used automation to gain real-time visibility into product performance, sales rep activity, and the introduction of new or promoted products, leading to more informed decisions and improved efficiency.

Scalability

Whether you’re operating as a small team or running a fully automated warehouse system, supply chain automation scales with your business needs. As order volumes grow, technologies like warehouse automation technologies and automated inventory solutions can adapt to increased demand without compromising efficiency.

Scalability is particularly vital for businesses navigating complexity in the supply chain, such as managing multiple sales channels or diverse product lines. With automation in place, tasks like inventory synchronization and order routing become more manageable, supporting long-term growth and operational excellence.

For instance, types of warehouse automation, including automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and robotic arms, allow companies to expand their fulfillment capabilities while reducing dependency on manual labor. This scalability ensures that your supply chain can keep pace with evolving market demands.

Sustainability Improvements

Supply chain automation supports sustainability by reducing waste and improving resource efficiency. By automating inventory management and streamlining order workflows, businesses can reduce overstocking and excess shipments, minimizing energy consumption and cutting down on carbon emissions. Platforms like OrderEase enable these efficiencies by integrating with existing systems, helping businesses operate more responsibly while enhancing supply chain performance.

Cost Savings

Investments in automated inventory tracking software and warehouse automation technologies pay off by reducing errors and optimizing resource allocation. Manual processes are not only time-consuming but also prone to mistakes that can lead to costly disruptions, such as incorrect orders or shipment delays. 

Automation minimizes these risks. For example, an automated inventory management system eliminates the need for manual data entry, significantly reducing human errors. Similarly, automated warehouse systems streamline operations like order processing and picking, cutting down labor costs and enhancing throughput.

Additionally, automated solutions provide long-term savings by improving operational efficiency. By addressing what is a bottleneck in the supply chain and resolving it through automation, businesses can lower operational expenses and reinvest savings into growth-focused initiatives, such as expanding into new markets or enhancing customer experiences.

Streamlining Operations: Key Areas for Supply Chain Automation

Order Processing

Manual order entry is a thing of the past. It’s time-consuming, prone to errors, and can slow down your entire process. Automating order processing helps businesses streamline everything from order intake to confirmation and invoicing. With solutions like OrderEase, you can unify your order management across multiple channels, ensuring that your online store, wholesale orders, and marketplaces are all in sync. This not only reduces human error but also keeps your digital catalog aligned with inventory levels and fulfillment workflows. So, whether you're selling through an e-commerce platform or managing bulk orders, automation makes sure everything flows smoothly and efficiently.

Inventory Management

When it comes to automated inventory management, precision is key. A well-automated inventory system helps you avoid overstocking or running out of stock, both of which can hurt your bottom line. With real-time automated inventory tracking systems, businesses can optimize their stock levels, reduce manual checks, and get rid of those inefficient, error-prone manual processes. Imagine a world where you never have to worry about discrepancies between what’s in your inventory and what’s on your shelves. That’s the power of inventory automation—keeping things running smoothly with less effort.

Warehouse Operations

Warehouse operations are one of the most significant areas where automation can make a massive difference. Think of automating warehouse systems like robotic pickers, conveyor belts, or even fully automated warehouse systems. When combined with a robust order management system like OrderEase, automating warehouse operations connects your inventory and fulfillment processes in real time, keeping everything running like a well-oiled machine. 

For example, Century Drill & Tool integrated OrderEase into their workflow, bridging the gaps between automated inventory systems and customer orders. This integration eliminated manual processes and streamlined everything from stock management to shipping. Even small businesses can reap the benefits of automated warehouse systems when paired with the right software to manage operations and track inventory.

Why It All Works Together

By automating these key areas—order processing, inventory management, and warehouse operations—you’re setting up a system where data flows seamlessly across your entire supply chain. This reduces the friction caused by supply chain bottlenecks, simplifies managing operations across the supply chain, and ensures you can scale up efficiently without the stress of outdated tools. Supply chain automation doesn’t just reduce errors—it’s the key to staying ahead of the competition in an increasingly complex market.

Steps to Implement Supply Chain Automation

Assess Your Current System
Identify inefficiencies, repetitive tasks, and manual processes that increase operational challenges in your supply chain.

Prioritize Integration
Use middleware to connect tools like ERP systems and automated inventory management systems.

Focus on Scalability
Start with core areas like inventory automation and expand to fully integrated warehouse automation technologies.

Leverage Data for Continuous Improvement
Use analytics to monitor the performance of your supply chain automation efforts and uncover areas for optimization.

Adopt New Systems
Invest in advanced technologies and automation platforms that align with your business goals, ensuring they integrate smoothly with existing systems and can evolve as your needs grow.

Streamline Your Supply Chain with Middleware-Enhanced Automation

To optimize supply chain operations, businesses need solutions that connect their various systems and automate workflows seamlessly. Instead of relying on simple point-to-point integrations, a more advanced approach leverages Middleware-Enhanced Platforms, which act as a bridge between different systems, ensuring smooth communication and data transfer across the entire supply chain.

Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) is one such solution, offering a cloud-based service that connects various software applications and systems, helping to automate processes like order management, inventory, and shipping. iPaaS eliminates the need for complex custom coding, enabling businesses to integrate their systems more easily and scale their operations.

OrderEase goes beyond the traditional iPaaS approach. As a Middleware-Enhanced Platform, OrderEase automates the entire order management workflow, connecting your ERP and order sources to create seamless, end-to-end processes. It functions as a data-enhanced bridge, eliminating the need for manual order entry and ensuring that data flows smoothly across your systems. What sets OrderEase apart is its ability to automate workflows without the need for IT resources, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes.

For growing businesses, OrderEase offers a way to scale the supply chain efficiently, automating processes and reducing manual input without incurring additional costs. With OrderEase, businesses can seamlessly integrate their systems, automate order management, and focus on what matters—growing and expanding their operations. Take the manual work out of your supply chain today. Discover how OrderEase can help automate your supply chain now!