Automation in Supply Chain: Where to Start?

Turning repetitive effort into scalable efficiency — without overwhelming the system.

1. Identify High-Friction, High-Frequency Tasks

Automation should not begin with the most “sophisticated” function — it should start with the most painful one.

Typical candidates include:

Manual data consolidation (Excel hell)
Supplier order confirmations / PO follow-ups
Inventory reporting across warehouses
Shipment status updates
Invoice matching and GRN reconciliation

📌 Filter tasks by two criteria: volume and variability. Start with low-variability, high-volume processes.

💡 One CoreChain client automated 85% of their weekly replenishment reporting with a simple RPA script — saving 12 hours per planner per month.

2. Classify Your Automation Use Cases

There are different levels of automation maturity. Classify use cases into:

Rule-based automation (RPA, macros, Zapier flows)
Data integration (APIs between ERP/WMS/TMS)
AI-powered optimization (forecasting, routing, pricing)
Decision support systems (dashboards, scenario modeling)

📊 Start with rule-based tasks for speed and ease of deployment. Save AI/ML for later stages once the data foundation is stable.

3. Map the Process Before You Automate It

A flawed process, when automated, becomes a faster flawed process.

Use value stream mapping or SIPOC to break down:

Who does what?
What inputs/outputs are required?
Where are delays, bottlenecks, or rework loops?

📌 Include the people who run the process daily. Automation is as much about change management as technology.

4. Choose the Right Tools for the Job

No need to start with SAP Leonardo or Oracle Autonomous Planning.

For entry-level automation:

Power Automate, Zapier, or Make.com for task chaining
UiPath or Automation Anywhere for RPA
Power BI / Google Data Studio for reporting automation

For mid-level integration:

Custom APIs between systems (ERP, WMS, CRM)
Cloud-based workflow tools like Airtable + Make + Slack

📌 Tool selection should follow process need — not the other way around.

5. Build a Minimal Viable Automation (MVA)

Think like a product team: test fast, scale slow. Don’t try to automate the entire supply chain in phase 1.

Your MVA should:

Solve one pain point
Be measurable (time saved, errors avoided)
Involve key users from day one

🧠 Example: Automating inbound ASN validation in your WMS can reduce receiving time by 30% — without touching your ERP.

Conclusion

Supply chain automation is not a tech project — it’s a performance accelerator. The right entry point delivers quick wins, creates buy-in, and sets the stage for long-term digital transformation.

At CoreChain, we guide clients through automation strategy, process mapping, tool selection, and implementation — always with business ROI in focus.

Curious which supply chain processes you should automate first?

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