Shifting from Just In Time to Just In Case

Below are the crucial components of a "Just in Case" supply chain

Simplicity : Simplify the supply chain - outsource the activities which are not core to the business.

                                            

Collaboration : Identify partners who complement your skills and help each other sustain in difficult times by maintaining a symbiotic relationship.

                                     

Resilience : Produce closer to the market where you have to sell - keep inventory of products which are high demand and essential.

                                     

Redundancy : To avoid disruptions from unpredictable factors, always have a back up plan for your supply chain to fall back on.

                                         

Innovation : From same day delivery to 3D Printing, innovations have a wide spectrum and are key changers of the supply chain profitability.

                              

Post COVID-19, industries will be forced to look forward and beyond JIT. 

They will have to look for-

• Diversification of supplier bases as a shield against geographical uncertainties
• Reconfiguration of warehouses to limit supply disruptions
• Increased automation in warehouses to build resilience

We don't know yet how the future will look but we know for sure technology is going to take a bigger share for high traceability in the supply chain. May be JIC or JIT or JIT+JIC hybrid model will be the new normal.