As supply chain complexity grows, traditional inventory systems fall short. Inventory management is more than just tracking stock—it’s the backbone of operational success. Yet, many Oracle users struggle with inefficiencies that slow down operations, increase costs, and create frustrating bottlenecks. While Oracle Cloud Inventory Management provides a robust foundation for tracking inventory, optimizing stock levels, and integrating seamlessly into the supply chain, many organizations struggle with the limitations of standard cloud-based systems, particularly in warehouse and manufacturing environments where connectivity and mobility challenges exist.
Mobility and real-time visibility are essential for warehouse and manufacturing teams, yet out-of-the-box tools often fall short. Workers waste time manually entering data instead of capturing transactions at the point of activity. Network dead zones disrupt workflows, and standard Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) can be overcomplicated, costly, and rigid—forcing companies to adapt their processes to fit the system rather than the other way around.
Many businesses are re-evaluating their inventory management strategies. The flexibility to configure workflows, maintain operations offline, and provide supervisory oversight is becoming more crucial for Oracle customers seeking to transform inventory management into a competitive advantage.
The Need for Mobility and Real-Time Visibility
Supply chain disruptions and shifting market demands have made real-time inventory visibility necessary. Inaccurate stock levels and inefficient workflows lead to costly overstocking, stockouts, and operational bottlenecks that directly impact revenue and customer satisfaction.
Common challenges include:
· Lack of Real-Time Data: Without instant access to inventory movements, businesses struggle to optimize replenishment and reduce waste. A study by International Data Corporation (IDC) found that companies leveraging real-time inventory data can reduce inventory costs by as much as 20% while improving order fulfillment by 30%.
· Scalability Issues: As businesses grow, their inventory management systems must adapt to increased complexity. Traditional systems can be problematic because as a company's order volume increases, the system of receiving and distributing orders becomes more complex.
· Limited Offline Functionality: In environments with unreliable connectivity, systems lacking offline capabilities can disrupt operations. Implementing offline inventory management solutions can help mitigate these challenges, ensuring continuous operations even without consistent network access.
· Manufacturing Complexity: Standard WMS solutions may not address the needs of manufacturers who require flexibility in tracking raw materials, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods.
How Mobile Solutions Are Transforming Inventory Operations
Mobile barcoding technology, integrated with Oracle Cloud ERP is revolutionizing how businesses track and manage stock. Unlike Oracle’s standard offerings, mobile solutions provide a lightweight, flexible alternative for businesses that don’t need the full weight of WMS but still require real-time visibility and automation. Key benefits include:
- Mobile-first Inventory Tracking: Barcode scanning and RFID automation eliminate manual data entry errors and accelerate transaction processing.
- Uninterrupted Operations: Offline functionality ensures continuous inventory tracking, reducing downtime in connectivity-limited environments and improving productivity.
- Optimized Workflows: Customizable mobile solutions increase efficiency by adapting to specific warehouse and manufacturing processes that work for your unique business needs, not against them.
- Scalability for Business Growth: Mobile solutions support seamless expansion, with companies reporting up to a 40% improvement in warehouse throughput after upgrading from legacy inventory systems.
- Manufacturing Performance Gains: Real-time tracking of materials in production prevents delays and enhances traceability. Studies show that manufacturers using mobile inventory solutions experience a 25% reduction in waste and a 30% improvement in compliance tracking.
- Improved Labeling and Compliance: Automated and secure labeling ensures accurate tracking of inventory, reduces misidentified shipments, and supports industry regulations, leading to fewer shipping errors and improved warehouse efficiency.
Real-World Success: Boyd Corporation Ensures Compliance and Production Continuity with Mobile Inventory Solutions
A mobile inventory solution can do more than track stock—it can transform a business's operations. For companies like Boyd Corporation, real-time visibility is critical for efficiency and meeting stringent compliance requirements.
Boyd partnered with RFgen to unify their enterprise data with an upgrade to a single instance of Oracle Cloud SCM while enhancing existing processes. RFgen’s Mobile Edge™ Suite augmented Oracle’s capabilities to bridge functionality gaps and create end-to-end visibility throughout Boyd’s entire production line—a must-have since Boyd’s customers include military contractors with additional compliance requirements.
Not only was Boyd able to harmonize their Oracle ecosystem, but the company also kept production on schedule without losing functionality. Mobile solutions smoothly replicated the specific work entry processes used in their existing environment, providing the best of both worlds—on-prem and Cloud.
Many Oracle users are re-evaluating their existing inventory solutions. Join the upcoming OATUG webinar, Smart Operations: Leveraging Mobile Inventory to Drive Exceptional Customer Experiences, on March 25. This webinar will explore how always-on mobile automation helps companies future-proof operations and extend Oracle capabilities beyond traditional constraints. Discover how to create seamless, scalable, customer-first experiences.
Ready to future-proof your inventory? Let RFgen help. Contact us today!