Abstract:
Supply Chain Management (SCM) has evolved over the years, from mechanisation in the
1920s to intelligentisation in the 2000s. Major changes in supply chain are due to
challenges in the environment, such as the fragmentation of SCM activities and the
introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT). The lack of visibility of assets and
transportation management issues in SCM led to research being conducted to alleviate
these challenges. In the South African context, the quality and competence of logistics
operations, tracking and tracing of assets and management of activities are the main
challenges identified in SCM, even though there are numerous companies involved in
tracking assets. Effective management of supply chain activities requires the integration of
technology into the SCM and logistics value chain. The supply chain value chain includes
inbound logistics, outbound logistics, operations, sales, marketing, and supply services.
Automating warehouse operations can help to address some of the challenges in SCM.
This research paper addresses how the Smart Warehousing Management System
(SWMS) and the Fleet Management System (FMS) developed aim to resolve asset
tracking and tracing and improving logistics operations. Using the Internet of Things (IoT)
in integrating sensors to track assets and improve warehouse operations can reduce SCM
challenges. The FMS aims to resolve transportation management issues by tracking and
tracing assets in logistics operations, while the SWMS automates warehouse operations,
thus, improving SCM activities.
