Manhattan and Sendflex Ride the Microservices Architecture Wave

Leading the charge in this technological evolution are Manhattan and Sendflex, who recognize the value of microservices in supply chain software to enhance performance and scalability. By breaking down complex applications into smaller, manageable services, they have achieved a level of operational efficiency and responsiveness to meet the demands of today’s fast-paced market.

In this blog, we will explore how these pioneers are harnessing microservices to revolutionize supply chain management. From improved performance to quicker deployment times, we will delve into the specific benefits that these architectures deliver, demonstrating their pivotal role in driving long-term success and innovation in the supply chain sector.

What is Microservices Architecture in Supply Chain Management?

In the fast-evolving supply chain sector, microservices architecture is quickly becoming a necessity. It helps address critical challenges by offering scalability, security, and adaptability that were hard to manage with older, legacy parcel platforms. The following microservices benefits are particularly transformative in streamlining and enhancing supply chain operations, ensuring businesses can meet the demands of a rapidly changing marketplace.

Versionless

Microservices enable a versionless environment, eliminating the need for scheduled downtime for major software upgrades. This leads to significant savings in human and capital resources, allowing organizations to focus on enhancing customer experiences and operational efficiency, rather than waiting for critical software updates. Being versionless means constant access to the latest supply chain features and capabilities, ensuring businesses are always equipped with up-to-date rating, routing, and tracking tools to drive efficiency and deliver a best-in-class customer experience. In summary, zero planned downtime.

Elastic

Elasticity is a crucial feature of microservices, especially for the supply chain’s unpredictable demand fluctuations. Unlike unwieldy, inflexible monolithic architectures, microservices can easily scale up or down to meet varying demands without extensive human intervention. This flexibility ensures that supply chain operations can efficiently handle peak periods, like holiday seasons, and scale back down in slower times, optimizing resource use and operational costs.

Extensible

Microservices architectures are inherently extensible, allowing for customization and adaptation to unique business needs. This is particularly advantageous for supply chains, as it allows logistics managers to tailor their systems to their specific processes and requirements, without engaging already backlogged IT teams. The extensibility of microservices ensures that businesses can evolve their supply chain solutions quickly without disrupting existing operations or incurring additional costs for third-party services.

Secure

Security is paramount in supply chain management, and microservices architectures offer robust security features. These include advanced authentication, role-based authorization, and data protection both in transit and at rest. By adhering to high-level security standards and undergoing regular audits, microservices ensure that sensitive supply chain data is always secure.

Modular

The modular nature of microservices allows an unparalleled level of flexibility in supply chain management. Each module, or service, can be developed, deployed, and updated independently, reducing the complexity and risk associated with changes. This modularity leads to quicker deployment, easier maintenance, and enhanced overall system stability.

Unification

Unification in microservices architecture refers to the seamless integration of various components and systems within the supply chain. This interconnectedness facilitates smoother operations, real-time data sharing between partners and providers, and advanced decision-making capabilities. A unified microservice-based system ensures a more cohesive and efficient supply chain, capable of adapting to changing market demands and business needs.

The adoption of microservices in supply chain management is undoubtedly a strategic imperative for modern businesses. This approach is reshaping how supply chains operate, offering more than just efficiency gains – it's a pathway to innovation and adaptability in a complex, ever-changing market.

Manhattan Associates: Reaping the Rewards of Microservices

Manhattan Associates' strategic investment in microservices technology has led to impressive financial and operational gains. In 2023, the company's positive stock performance reflected investor confidence and the market's recognition of its tech-forward approach. With a market capitalization now standing at $13 billion, Manhattan's focus on advanced cloud-native solutions is clearly paying dividends.

As evidence of Manhattan's success in this domain, they were recognized with the Google Cloud Industry Solution Technology Partner of the Year Award, a testament to their innovative use of cloud technologies in supply chain solutions. This award highlights Manhattan's expertise in integrating cloud-based microservices into their platform, enhancing flexibility, scalability, and efficiency in supply chain management.

Additionally, the company's commitment to continual innovation and customer-centric solutions plays a crucial role in their market success. By prioritizing microservices, Manhattan Associates has kept pace with the evolving demands of the supply chain industry and has positioned itself as a leader in driving future trends and technologies.

Sendflex's Cloud-Native Microservices Success Story

Sendflex has made similar strides in driving supply chain efficiency with its cloud-native microservices architecture. Central to this success is their high-performance parcel optimization engine, capable of processing 20,000 concurrent instructions and carrier rates per second, opening the door to iterative planning and simulations. This technical capability underscores the power of microservices in managing complex, high-volume transactions with ease.

A notable example of Sendflex's prowess is their collaboration with a global retail conglomerate, where they achieved an 80% reduction in time to benefit. This efficiency is largely due to configurable instructions. Instead of custom programming business rules, Sendflex’s no-code approach allows their customers to configure instructions to address specific business needs, in minutes, not weeks. The adaptability of Sendflex's system is further highlighted by its user-centric design, enabling business users to execute changes to parcel management in minutes, not weeks.

Sendflex’s technology showcases the enhanced efficiency possible through microservices by providing Manhattan customers with parcel optimization across the entire fulfillment process including digital storefronts, order allocation, warehouse management, and shipping. This integration facilitates seamless operation and data exchange, underscoring the role of Sendflex's optimization instructions in enhancing supply chain processes.

Harnessing Sendflex's Microservices for Supply Chain Excellence

Sendflex's parcel orchestration platform showcases their mastery of cloud-native microservices architecture, emphasizing advanced capabilities in parcel shipping execution. Key features include no-code optimization intelligence, advanced “what if” simulation capabilities, and seamless integration with various carrier services. Sendflex's solutions are designed to optimize cost savings, cartonization, and customer delivery experiences, marking a significant advancement in supply chain and parcel management. To discover how Sendflex can help you leverage the valuable benefits offered by cloud-native microservices architecture, schedule a consultation with their experts today.

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