DevOps ideas and practices in supply chain management have gained traction in recent years as firms attempt to enhance their operations and offer value to consumers more quickly. DevOps, or Developer Operations, is a software development methodology that emphasises collaboration, automation, and continuous delivery. It has been proven to enhance software quality, shorten time-to-market, and save costs. This post will examine the DevOps dynamic in supply chain management, including its advantages, difficulties, and best practices. 

An Introduction to DevOps in Supply Chain Management

Supply chain visibility solutions and management is a complicated process involving several players, ranging from suppliers to manufacturers to distributors to retailers. Each stakeholder has procedures, tools, and systems, which can require more work to coordinate. It is when DevOps enters the picture. By allowing better collaboration, quicker feedback loops, and more insight into the supply chain, DevOps concepts and practices can simplify supply chain management. 

One of the most significant advantages of DevOps in supply chain management is quicker time-to-market. Businesses can minimise the time it takes to build and launch new goods or services using DevOps ideas and practices. It is due to the importance of automation in DevOps, which can assist in removing manual processes and lower the risk of mistakes. Automation can also assist in minimising the time it takes to test and deploy software, allowing for faster delivery of new goods or services. 

Improved quality is another advantage of DevOps in supply chain management. Continuous testing and feedback are emphasised in DevOps, which can help detect and repair bugs and other problems early in the development process. It can enhance software quality and minimise the chance of faults or breakdowns in the supply chain. 

Best Strategies for DevOps Implementation in Supply Chain Management

Notwithstanding these obstacles, there are best practices that firms can use to deploy DevOps in supply chain management effectively. 

Here are some examples: 

1. Creating a DevOps culture by encouraging cooperation, communication, and experimentation. It also entails dismantling silos and encouraging stakeholders to collaborate towards a single objective.
2. Process automation entails employing tools and technology to automate manual procedures and decrease the risk of mistakes. Automation can also assist in minimising the time it takes to test and deploy software, allowing for faster delivery of new goods or services.
3. Creating feedback loops entails implementing feedback mechanisms that allow stakeholders to submit input on the software and the supply chain. Its input can enhance the software's quality and the supply chain's efficiency.
4. Accepting change entails being open to new ideas and methods and being prepared to experiment and learn from mistakes. It also entails being adaptable to shifting market circumstances and client requirements.
5. Ensuring security and compliance in integrating security and compliance into the DevOps process. It can assist in ensuring that software and systems are secure and meet industry requirements and standards.

DevOps Statistics in Supply Chain Management

Let us look at some data better to understand the influence of DevOps on supply chain management: 

1. According to a Gartner estimate, 40% of organisations will have used DevOps approaches in supply chain management by 2023, up from 15% in 2018. It demonstrates that more companies see the value of DevOps in supply chain management and are investing in its implementation.
2. According to an IDC study, firms that have used DevOps methods in their supply chain management saw a 20% improvement in time-to-market, a 22% improvement in quality, and a 24% increase in productivity. It demonstrates that DevOps can have a substantial influence on supply chain performance.
3. According to Accenture research, 87% of supply chain executives think digital technologies, especially DevOps, will significantly influence their operations during the next five years. It demonstrates that there is a growing understanding of the significance of digital technology in supply chain management.
4. According to another Forrester report, firms that have used DevOps methods in their supply chain management are witnessing a 50% decrease in lead times, a 50% decrease in deployment failures, and a 30% decrease in development expenses. It demonstrates that DevOps can substantially influence supply chain performance and cost.
5. According to a DevOps.com survey, 69% of firms that have used DevOps methods in their supply chain management have seen gains in cooperation, while 63% have seen increases in speed and efficiency. It demonstrates how DevOps can increase collaboration and efficiency across the supply chain.

Bottom Line

DevOps has become an increasingly significant aspect of supply chain management as companies seek to enhance their operations and offer value to consumers more quickly. By allowing better collaboration, quicker feedback loops, and more insight into the supply chain, DevOps concepts and practices can simplify supply chain management. Although integrating DevOps in supply chain management might be difficult, there are best practices that firms should follow to ensure a successful implementation.  

Are you looking to implement DevOps in your supply chain management? Cozentus offers cutting-edge software supply chain visibility solutions to help streamline your processes. Contact us today.