The internet of things can help distributors become more embedded with their customers and more important to their manufacturer partners, according to industry executives in IoT Poised to Alter Supply Chain.
IoT is a network of connected devices that can automatically communicate with each other. And this connectivity can enable distributors to predict usage of items they sell or identify possible problems before they happen – increasing their value to both customers and manufacturers.
Manufacturers will likely become more reliant on their distributors to monitor and manage the alerts that come in and facilitate the necessary conversations with the manufacturer, according to Chester Collier, senior vice president and general manager for Bio-Circle North America, a division of Walter Surface Technologies.
However, as this new technology becomes more popular, distributors may be expected to anticipate orders through the use of sensors and software instead of just fulfilling orders as they come in.
“Distributors won’t be able to afford to stay technology laggards,” says Karen Lynch, vice president, global wholesale distribution, SAP.
Read more about the many useful applications of connected devices and why they are important in IoT Poised to Alter Supply Chain.
