Money Matters
How to Future-Proof Your Supply Strategy with Supply Chain ERP
In a post-pandemic world, food and beverage companies need a future-proof product management strategy — and it starts with supply chain ERP.

To future-proof food and beverage product management strategy, the right supply chain ERP is critical.
When pandemic pressures began ramping up in early 2020, supply chains seemed relatively safe. But as infections accelerated and governments reacted, suppliers across the globe were thrown into turmoil — historically stable supply chains broke down, and emerging connections dried up. As noted by Supply Chain Digital, 60 percent of businesses reported supply chain disruptions during the pandemic.
In the food and beverage industry, meanwhile, the combination of tough operating restrictions and reduced supply access created a perfect storm: Some markets saw an 80 percent reduction in food and beverage open rates, and while some businesses managed to reopen after supply chains stabilized, recent data shows that 10 percent of all U.S. restaurants have now closed permanently. In Canada, predictions suggest that up to 50 percent of independent restaurants may never reopen.
For those businesses still left standing when pandemic pressures ease, there’s a growing need for future-proof strategies that account for evolving supply chains, no matter their source, scope or duration.
Broken Links: Analyzing the Pandemic Impact
It’s no exaggeration to say that the COVID-19 crisis precipitated one of the biggest shocks to global supply chains over the last few decades. The impact began in China and Southeast Asia, and as noted by the World Economic Forum, many businesses are “hugely reliant” on both production and supplies from these areas. When they locked down during the first wave of the pandemic, food and beverage providers dependant on these areas for products such as food packaging and safety items suddenly found familiar supply chains broken — and few options to replace them. As the pandemic pressed on and many restaurants found themselves partially or entirely shuttered, supply chain concerns moved backward down the chain; demand dropped even as supplies began to rebound leaving middle-chain manufacturers, warehouse operations and logistics companies treading a difficult line between securing new supplies and running the risk of costly overstocking. With many countries now making the move into “next normal” frameworks, food and beverage firms must find a way to reconcile the need for steady and stable supply with more agile inventory mandates.The Future of Supply Chain Strategy
To future-proof supply chain strategy, three factors are critical for food and beverage businesses:- Analysis
- Accessibility
- Automation
How Sage X3 ERP Can Help
Sage X3 supply chain ERP can help food and beverage firms both keep up with demand and stay ahead of the curve. Key features include:- Purchase control
- Inventory management
- Sales solutions
- Customer service integration
- Team collaboration