Disruptions from minor material shortages to large-scale natural disasters stopping up transportation have always been something every supply chain must be prepared for. However, some events are so sudden it is nearly impossible to properly prepare, with no better example being the COVID-19 pandemic. In mere days, healthcare products and groceries were flying off store shelves. Many supply chains could not properly shift production from their primarily Asian manufacturers to account for this sudden demand.

The pandemic put many companies to the test, something their supply chains were not ready for, exposing many issues in the inflexible nature they operate. With a “new normal” established, it is now more important than ever for companies to look at how COVID-19 impacted their business to improve their supply chain’s resilience for the future.

At Katalyst, we are no strangers to assisting clients start or improve their E-commerce business through the pandemic. Here are five critical factors we recommend considering when planning to build up supply chain resilience in your business.

1) Control your Overhead

In the business world, “resilience” refers to the ability of a company to show flexibility, allowing them to roll with the punches frequently thrown at them and quickly adjust to any change. However, it is much more challenging to bounce back from a monetary loss than a minor supply issue, and your wallet is the first thing a disruption in the business world will hit.

Consider using third party services like Katalyst to help take the load off your shoulders! Many E-commerce businesses do not have dedicated logistics or supply chain specialists as a part of their staff, leading to overpaying for materials or being blindsided by industry-changing events. Katalyst can help set up and monitor your business to optimize your transportation or warehouse costs.

2) Analyze Your Data

Looking at the hard data for your business is always vital, even more so if you want to improve your supply chain management. Through analyzing the information from your business’s day-to-day functions, you can make sure your operation is running according to plan. By measuring each step of your supply chain, from the manufacturing of your products to the shipping of the final product, you can better understand how things run at your company.

A good Warehouse Management System, like Katalyst’s Celero WMS, can show you how long it takes products to be delivered, preferred shipping methods, and more to help you fully understand how your supply chain functions.