Reverse Supply Chain Ensuring A Sound Aftermarket

The technologically sound business world, in its process to beat the aggressive competitive market, heads for the high-tech infrastructure. These forward-looking organizations are waiting to see the profit figures rolling up. However, with customer and his demands ruling the changes in the industry trends, the modern day enterprise are equally concerned about the aftermarket sales activities.

Reverse logistics as it is mostly referred to, relates to all activities associated with a product or service after the point of sale, with a goal to optimize the aftermarket activity while saving money and environmental resources. This is also referred to as Aftermarket Logistics, Retrogistics, Aftermarket Supply Chain or a reverse supply chain. Unlike the forward logistics which handles the product from the manufacturing or production unit to the market, the reverse supply chain activities include logistics, warehousing, repair, refurbishment, recycling, e-waste, call center support, reverse fulfillment, and field service.

A fully integrated reverse logistics managementtool incorporates the repair and returns process, repair and calibration process as well as the returns solutions and provides visibility throughout the complete cycle for all parties involved in the reverse supply chain. The process involves a high degree of functionality through interaction and exchange of information for return orders, repair orders, stock updates, inventory specifications and sales orders authorizations and acknowledgements besides expert handling.

Thereverse logistics managementmaximizes infrastructure investment through integration with a partner's existing systems. Similar to thesupply chain management solutions, this also provides order application and connectivity to all parties in the logistics network, enables total visibility with ability to track and trace products with the help of reference identifiers. Besides offering a order and return placement at the end-user location, it generates an order fulfillment documentation, transport labels and performance based billing.

A number of organizations that having forayed into providingreverse logistic management solution ensure that thereverse supply chainfacilitates reduction of cost through automation of business processes and early notification of opportunities. The generation of real time reports paves way for immediate action and enhanced asset utilization. The supply chain is quick to adopt any changes in the regulations and also implements it without compromising on the quality of service. With a 24/7-support service, these help to streamline business intelligence reporting.