Digital tools helping SMEs to handle supply-chain chaos

These tools keep operations lean and costs low, and enable rapid scale-up. Tech startups offering these tools say they are no longer a luxury.

Published Tue, Apr 13, 2021 · 05:50 AM

Singapore SMEs

THE chaos in global supply chains caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed inefficiencies and blind spots in the shipping and logistics industry, which still depends heavily on old-school methods of pen and paper, phone calls, e-mail and faxes.

At the same time, it has shown companies that have embraced digital tools to be more adept at dealing with the challenges that keep popping up.

In December, HEC Electrical & Construction started using a supply-chain digitalisation platform developed by local startup Trames to manage its purchases of items such as electrical switchboards and lights from overseas suppliers.

Previously, the company had difficulty tracking product shipments once they left the origin port. The procurement team's e-mail and phone calls to suppliers for updates did not receive pro…