Supply Chain disruptions are not just inconvenient—they are costly and damaging to a business’s bottom line.
Interruption is the primary cause of inefficiency in supply chain and logistics operations. Did you know the average cost of a supply chain disruption is $1.5 million per day? This highlights the financial risks of such disruptions, emphasizing the need for proactive strategies.
In fact, 6 in 10 organizations are investing in digital technology to streamline their logistics and supply chain operations. This growing trend shows that businesses are recognizing the need for smarter, integrated tools like ServiceNow for logistics solutions to enhance operational efficiency.
As supply chains become more complex, businesses require tools that improve visibility, reduce manual errors, and streamline workflows. ServiceNow provides comprehensive solutions that address these challenges—offering a single platform for customs automation, real-time tracking, and end-to-end logistics management.
In this blog, we’ll explore how ServiceNow for supply chain operations can revolutionize logistics operations in India and tackle common pain points such as inefficiencies in managing documents, delays in customs clearance, and lack of integration across systems.
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The Logistics Landscape – Current Challenges for Supply chains
For many supply chain and logistics companies including middlemen known as Custom House Agents, operations are heavily manual, increasing the risk of errors and bottlenecks in areas like customs documentation and shipment tracking.
Take the example of a logistics company in India handling the import of products from Australia to the Mumbai port. They need to manage an array of documents, including Bills of Lading (BL), Airway Bills (AWB), invoices, and customs declarations, all while coordinating with suppliers, customers, and authorities.
Without a unified software system, this can result in:
- Errors in manual entries lead to delayed deliveries.
- Complexities with tracking shipments in real-time.
- Disjointed systems for customs clearance, leading to compliance risks.
- Excessive time spent on manual validations.
ServiceNow for Custom Automation– Streamlining Supply Chain and Logistics Operations for Faster, Smarter Processes
With ServiceNow’s digital workflow automation and powerful cloud platform, organizations can optimize their operations, reduce manual handling, and deliver a faster, more seamless experience for both importers and exporters. Let’s explore how ServiceNow can revolutionize the entire customs processing workflow:
1. Managing Customs Documents with Ease
Document management is one of the most critical but complex aspects of an organization’s operations. As mentioned, suppliers generate essential documents like invoices, BL, and AWB. Organizations need to handle, validate, and ensure compliance with each shipment document, often leading to bottlenecks and errors.
How ServiceNow Can Help : ServiceNow offers a centralized system to simplify this process. Instead of manually uploading or verifying documents, ServiceNow can automate document intake and validation across the BL, AWB, and invoices.
For example:
- ServiceNow’s intelligence technology can pull data directly from invoices and other documents into pre-configured fields, reducing manual data entry and eliminating errors.
- As the invoice is uploaded by the supplier, ServiceNow can auto-fill or cross-check quantities, shipment types, and other details, ensuring it matches regulatory and customs standards before submission.
This level of automation allows organizations to manage large volumes of documents easily without the headaches associated with manual data handling.
2. Streamlined Task Management and Workflow Automation
When dealing with complex documentation, several steps need to be followed to get everything in order. Organizations can find themselves constantly rechecking invoices, coordinating between customs authorities, and managing customer interactions manually.
How ServiceNow Can Help : By robotic process automation, ServiceNow enables organizations to map the entire workflow. ServiceNow’s cloud platform centralizes information, automatically routes tasks to the appropriate personnel, and generates notifications to all stakeholders.
For instance:
- After receiving a BL and AWB, invoice and other shipment details such as origin, destination, and product details can automatically trigger an action for task verification by a senior agent.
- ServiceNow can create automated alerts, like notifying a regulatory authority when necessary for compliance checks or sending automated status updates to clients.
These automation features reduce errors, save time, and improve communication for faster processing of documents.
3. Real-Time Shipment Tracking for Full Transparency
Tracking shipments is another significant challenge, as delays or inconsistencies can happen at any point in the customs clearance process. Without real-time visibility into shipment status, organizations often have trouble responding proactively.
How ServiceNow Can Help : ServiceNow integrates with customs authorities, ICEGATE, and other external systems, offering complete visibility. Organizations can track the progress of all their shipments in a unified platform.
With real-time tracking, organizations can:
- Monitor the shipment’s status and quickly assess any issues such as avoidance of unclaimed shipments.
- Share updates seamlessly with stakeholders, avoiding delays and ensuring timely deliveries.
Key Benefits of Using ServiceNow for Supply Chain and Logistics in India and Other Countries
ServiceNow addresses many of the pain points logistics providers face and delivers clear benefits to custom house agents, logistics companies, and supply chains, including:
- Reduced Time for Logistics Management – With automated workflows and document validation processes, decreasing logistics management time with ServiceNow improves overall turnaround times.
- Improved Documentation Handling – By streamlining the management of customs documentation, ServiceNow minimizes errors and speeds up the process.
- Improved Operational Efficiency – Logistics automation with ServiceNow cuts manual workloads, enabling quicker delivery cycles and better resource allocation.
- Better Decision-Making – Logistics data automation with ServiceNow allows for predictive analytics and operational insights that optimize logistics planning and strategy.
- Higher Compliance and Risk Mitigation – Automation of customs documentation management with ServiceNow reduces human error and ensures up-to-date regulatory compliance.
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Conclusion – How ServiceNow Can Transform Logistics Operations Globally
As logistics operations grow increasingly complex and the pressure to deliver goods swiftly and accurately intensifies, ServiceNow logistics management solutions stand out as the answer for digitally transforming logistics in India and globally.
From automated customs information processing to real-time shipment tracking and automated validation processes, ServiceNow offers organizations, logistics providers, and supply chain operators an end-to-end solution for greater logistics operational efficiency.
By transitioning to ServiceNow for Logistics Solutions, your logistics operations will no longer struggle with manual processes, delays, or errors.
Instead, you’ll benefit from a fully integrated platform that improves customs automation, enhances supply chain visibility, and ultimately ensures a smoother, more efficient logistics operation.
Is your logistics company ready to take the next step toward revolutionizing operations with ServiceNow?
As an official ServiceNow Build Partner, we, at LMTEQ are ready to provide out-of-the-box implementation or custom ServiceNow solutions that adapt to your business.
Reach out to our team today and learn how we can support your logistics digital transformation journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can ServiceNow automate my logistics processes?
Yes, ServiceNow automates key logistics operations like document handling and shipment tracking. This reduces manual work and speeds up processes.
2. Does ServiceNow integrate with existing logistics systems?
3. Is ServiceNow suitable for small logistics companies?
4. Can ServiceNow improve the accuracy of customs documentation?
5. Will ServiceNow help reduce shipment delays?
Yes, ServiceNow offers real-time tracking and automated workflows, allowing faster issue resolution and reducing potential shipment delays.