Our Managed Supply Chain Services: Three Key Aspects
At Sentro, we provide comprehensive, end-to-end supply chain management solutions with over a decade of proven success across the U.S and Canada distribution networks. Our managed services are structured around three critical phases: Assessment, Design, and Implementation. This approach allows us and stakeholders, to identify service gaps, operational improvements, and immediate cost reduction opportunities.
1. Assessment: Present State Discovery
We immerse ourselves in your supply chain to gain a deep understanding of its current performance. Going far beyond surface-level reviews, we live and breathe your operations to uncover hidden opportunities and inefficiencies.
Our thorough process includes:
- Collecting and analyzing data from every viable source involved in your supply chain
- Identifying improvement areas based on industry best practices
- Documenting all direct/indirect costs, fixed/variable expenses, and information flows
- Conducting in-depth interviews with internal departments (e.g. data entry, EDI/IT, accounts payable/receivable, customer service, traffic, sales, operations, logistics and warehouse teams) and external stakeholders (e.g. carriers, freight forwarders, audit firms, government agencies, and customers)
- Applying key performance indicators (KPIs) to previously unmeasured areas
- Evaluating performance on a clear scale: meets, exceeds, or falls short of objectives
This holistic discovery phase reveals the true state of your supply chain and highlights where targeted improvements can have the greatest impact.
2. Design: SOP and Future Blueprint Development
Building on our detailed assessment, we create a customized roadmap for optimization, including comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and a forward-looking blueprint.
Key elements include:
- Developing personalized SOP manuals that detail every task, responsibility, and process
- Creating organizational charts with clear contact details and job descriptions for every role
- Designing a flexible future-state blueprint that addresses every potential scenario while allowing for autonomy and adaptability
- Incorporating recommendations for carrier selection, focusing on long-term partnerships rather than just the lowest rates
- Evaluating carriers using a rigorous vetting process covering procurement & selection, rate agreements, operations, customer service, on-time performance, claims resolution, safety/compliance, and more
- Planning technology integrations to improve customer experience, to eliminate redundancies and to increase shipments visibility
These designs increase productivity, accelerate onboarding, ensure consistency, and set clear expectations for teams and partners.
3. Implementation: Execution, Technology, and Ongoing Optimization
We execute the blueprint with precision, leveraging our custom-built Transportation Management System (TMS) and freight audit expertise to bring your optimized supply chain to life.
This phase delivers:
- Seamless transition with dual-system support for minimal disruption
- Real-time shipment management, rate quoting, tracking, PODs, and financial controls
- Comprehensive freight auditing and invoicing to capture savings, resolve disputes expeditiously, and enhance revenue streams
- Ongoing reporting and review meetings to measure KPIs, track progress against benchmarks, and revitalize processes as needed
- Regular updates to SOPs, action plans to reduce logistics spend, and financial analysis for your management team
This holistic discovery phase reveals the true state of your supply chain and highlights where targeted improvements can have the greatest impact.