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    Using Manual Processes Instead of Oracle? Five Ways You’re Missing Out

    Today’s supply chains are geographically scattered, driven by volatile demand, composed of multiple supplier tiers, subject to complex regulations, and exposed to frequent disruption. A single problem at any node—like a materials shortage or late inbound delivery—has the potential to negatively impact the entire end-to-end network. 

    Thankfully, Oracle has a full suite of advanced solutions to help orchestrate customer supply chains. Oracle Transportation Management (OTM),  Oracle Warehouse Management (WMS), and Global Trade Management (GTM) are designed to help navigate complexity. As a certified Oracle Systems Integrator with more than 500 customer implementations, Redwood has seen firsthand the value delivered by Oracle logistics software. 

    These Oracle solutions support fast, intelligent, profitable decision-making for everyday situations as well as major disruptions. Their ability to gather real-time data, analyze it, and choose the best path forward far exceeds the abilities of manual analysis and human judgment. Oracle logistics software makes decisions in seconds that would take days using manual processes. 

    Yet many supply chain teams still lean heavily on manual processes. Even organizations that have Oracle solutions in place often rely on workarounds that limit the true impact of the technology. At Redwood, we believe this hesitation comes from not fully understanding how much more Oracle software can deliver across the supply chain, every minute of every day. 

    If you’re still relying on manual processes, we’ve created a list of five ways you’re missing out on better supply chain performance. Eliminating these five problems with Oracle software is guaranteed to substantially improve cost, service, sustainability, utilization, and other critical metrics. 

    1. Margin erosion  

    Too often, human analysis and manual processes lead to rushed, unprofitable decisions. Faced with a late inbound delivery to the warehouse, a human planner might automatically expedite outbound shipping for the affected orders—which leads to immediate margin erosion. In contrast, Oracle’s advanced decision engines look at all potential options, such as an alternate supplier, a new shipping mode, or another warehouse’s in-stock inventory. In the transportation function, Oracle software makes the procurement process automated and intelligent. It’s been proven to generate up to 25% in transportation cost savings by digitizing the process of soliciting, analyzing, and awarding bids. Across the supply chain, advanced Oracle software makes complex trade-offs among cost, service, and other metrics in just seconds, then chooses a path forward that optimizes all outcomes. It’s been proven to reduce expedited shipping charges by up to 25%. 

    2. High levels of inefficiency and waste 

    Manual processes and analysis also fail to maximize process efficiency because they’re limited by human cognition. Oracle software is designed to seek out and capture cost- and time-saving opportunities, while minimizing waste. In the transportation function, it optimizes routes for lower miles and emissions, as well as consolidating loads for a 15% increase in capacity. In the warehouse, it optimizes task lists, picking paths, and facility layouts for fast, seamless workflows. Oracle’s inventory management engines have been proven to reduce holding costs by 5%, while also considering expiration dates, enforcing first-in-first-out (FIFO) rules, and otherwise acting to maximize turns and availability, while eliminating waste.   

    3. Errors and delays 

    Whether they’re managers, planners, or warehouse associates, humans make mistakes. Errors can be as small—like missing an item in a customer order—or large, such as getting the seasonal labor forecast wrong or failing to cover all transportation lanes. In today’s landscape of shifting tariffs, getting the total landed cost wrong can have disastrous consequences for both costs and delivery timelines. Oracle solutions are purpose-built to decide and execute with absolute precision, backed by mathematical calculations, algorithms, and data science. Across the supply chain, manual actions like data entry and non-digital tools like spreadsheets not only introduce errors, but also slow decisions and reaction times. Leading supply chain teams are digitally managing inventory via barcodes and RFID, assigning loads and choosing carriers with bidding platforms, and automating order processing, picking, packing, and shipping. Both daily activities and long-term plans are more accurate, and the supply chain can easily keep pace with today’s constant changes. 

    4. Low labor productivity 

    Talent shortages are only increasing for both warehouse employees and drivers. So, it’s essential for supply chain teams to use their available human resources in the most productive manner. Oracle solutions help ensure employees are working quickly and focusing on the highest-priority tasks at any given moment. Optimization engines choose the best picking paths, loading strategies, and driving routes that minimize physical effort and time, while maximizing throughput. In the warehouse, Oracle software balances work between humans and robotics in an intelligent, productive manner. The results are tremendous. In shipment execution alone, digitalization can increase productivity by as much as 30%. 

    5. High staff turnover 

    Today’s labor shortages mean it’s also critical to retain valuable employees—and advanced tech from Oracle can help. Software makes routine tasks easier and reduces the strain on employees. Younger, tech-savvy employees want to work with modern digital technology and benefit from mobility, automation, and leading-edge functionality like scanning and counting inventory in motion. And, by increasing productivity, efficiency, and throughput, Oracle software frees employees for higher-value, more enjoyable work. 

     

    How Much Are Manual Processes Costing You? 

    It’s a fact: Today’s logistics networks and distribution systems are simply too large, fast-moving and complex to manage effectively via manual processes. If you’re still using manual processes and human analysis to try to master market volatility, rising costs, increasing customer expectations, trade dynamics, and other challenges, you’re falling short. And the cost impact for your business is enormous. 

    Across the supply chain, you’re making expensive mistakes that lead to margin erosion, delays, relationship damage, and employee turnover. You’re failing to achieve your true potential for supply chain velocity, accuracy, agility, throughput, capacity, productivity, sustainability, and other targets. 

    But it’s not too late. Whether you’re an existing Oracle customer or a new user, Redwood can help you identify and capture the full potential of modern logistics software to create value in your supply chain.  

    Reach out to Redwood, and let’s start replacing your manual processes with digitalization, for a new level of speed, intelligence, precision, and profitability.