From Blind Spots to Insights: New SOTI Research Highlights the Demand for Real-Time Device Visibility

The number of devices in organisations has increased globally by 37% in the past year. However, Australian supply chain organisations often do not have full visibility into what those devices are doing and the data they are collecting. How do device location, poor signal strength and late deliveries impact business operations and what can supply chain organisations do to overcome these challenges?

Supply Chains Need a Transparent View of Frontline Operations

According to global Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solutions leader, SOTI, businesses lacking a transparent view of frontline operations can experience increased operational costs, inefficiencies and e-waste in workforce management. Additionally, blind spots in these areas expose supply chains to vulnerabilities and risks in compliance, cybersecurity, and quality.

“In 2024, organisations need to make visualising business operations a priority by consolidating business and device data in real-time. They need to view all critical mobile and app data immediately and then leverage that data to make faster and smarter decisions to improve their operations. As devices in the field are on the move, data such as signal strength and battery health, can be merged with critical business data collected via apps. In supply chain settings, that could be using an app to confirm inventory levels as deliveries are made,” said Carl Rodrigues, President, and CEO at SOTI.

To enable Australian supply chain organisations to visualise their operations in real-time, SOTI recently launched SOTI XSight Live View, the first tool of its kind to visualise business mobility. Live View offers immediate detection and reaction to operational challenges by consolidating device and business data in real-time. Live View maps and visualises metrics such as location and signal strength alongside business data such as inventory levels, delivery status and any other priorities required by the business. It also allows IT professionals to go back and study situational data at specific times to resolve issues and keep the business running smoothly.

In a supply chain environment, organisations are able to get real-time answers to questions about mobility coverage, the status of deliveries, inventory status and driver behaviour. Live View does this through providing visibility into the real-time location of devices, access to device data for informed decision-making regarding device fleets and access to business data to improve operational efficiencies.

Retail Supply Chains Must Meet Real-Time Demands

The health and performance of technology and devices in the supply chain is critical today, as these technologies are requried to help meet consumer demands for real-time information, efficient product availability and rapid delivery in-store and online. According to a new industry research report from SOTI called, Techspectations: Consumer Demand for Digital Transformation in Retail, 77% of consumers expect to always know the status of their orders, highlighting the need for efficient supply chain visibility.

Today, 30% of Australian consumers have considered shopping with a different retailer to get a better in-store tech experience. Unfortunately, poor tech functionality along with disjointed supply chains have forced many consumers to shop elsewhere.

Many of these issues can be resolved with a more seamless, intuitive, and automated supply chain operation designed to ensure real-time, reliable visibility of items: to both the consumer and in-store staff. This supply chain optimisation is especially important, given that majority of Australians (57%) now expect to be able to pick up an item ordered online from a physical store that same day. Additionally, almost two-thirds (62%) of global consumers confirmed they have continued shopping with brands that deliver goods the fastest. Quick delivery can only be achieved with AI-driven forecasting and inventory management solutions to ensure availability of items. Optimised connectivity of solutions between the warehouse, distribution channels and the store ultimately guarantee timely fulfillment and consumer satisfaction.

“Consumer supply chain needs are centred around a few key areas – speed, visibility, and reliability. All of these needs require a supply chain that is seamlessly connected and visible in real-time to both the retailer and consumer, and only possible with effectively managed mobile device fleets,” said Rodrigues.

Trek Bicycle Corporation Transforms Device Management With SOTI

The challenges of increasing the effectiveness of mobile devices to help meet consumer demands and operate an efficient supply chain were not lost on leading bicycle retailer, Trek Bicycle Corporation (Trek). Operated for over 45 years and expanded operations to more than 80 countries, Trek had the need for increased device visibility and management to support surging production and shipping demands.

Previously, Trek struggled with troubleshooting mobile device issues, device security and gaining insight into the performance of its rugged devices. The team experienced hours of unnecessary downtime and several other mobility challenges due to a lack of visibility into its device fleet. As a result, Trek sought a solution that could increase efficiency across the hundreds of devices operating in its manufacturing warehouses.

Leveraging the SOTI ONE Platform – specifically SOTI MobiControl and SOTI XSight – Trek has been able to gain clear visibility into all its devices and can monitor how, when and where they are being used.

“Using the SOTI ONE Platform, we can quickly solve and prevent issues, limiting the amount of stoppage time for our warehouse staff. It’s safe to say we are seeing 15-20% time savings on new employee onboarding. We highly depend on SOTI MobiControl and SOTI XSight because these products drastically decrease downtime and secures our devices,” said Tom Spoke, Director of Global IT at Trek Bicycle Corporation.

The simplicity of SOTI MobiControl’s drag and drop feature allows Trek to seamlessly roll out critical updates as its IT team easily sets up and configures devices. With the addition of SOTI XSight, the team can quickly diagnose, support, and troubleshoot issues remotely. This ensures its distribution facilities can ship same-day orders, so stores have available stock for all cyclists needs.

“Visibility into the location of a device fleet is essential, especially as consumers expect their favourite brands to ship out orders the same day. With SOTI, Trek can now monitor when and where a device is being used and quickly troubleshoot device issues, remotely and in real-time,” added Rodrigues.

Maintain a Competitive Advantage Through New Technology

The rapid advancement of technology in supply chains is central to meeting the heightened demands of today's consumers. However, the increase in device usage within organisations necessitates an advanced approach to device management and data utilisation.

“The ability to seamlessly integrate device data with crucial business metrics is now indispensable in achieving faster delivery times, increased customer satisfaction and overall supply chain optimisation. As the landscape of consumer expectations continues to evolve, the role of technology in supply chains will undoubtedly grow, making it essential for Australian supply chain organisations to embrace these advancements to maintain a competitive advantage,” concluded Rodrigues.

For more information on SOTI’s latest report, Techspectations: Consumer Demand for Digital Transformation in Retail, please click here.