Rashmi Singh of Reactore Systems explains about the current challenges in material delivery system and how her company is trying to solve it.

The mining supply chain involves a series of convoluted activities spanning across operations, materials handling and logistics. End to endmanagement of the mining distribution supply chain is an area that can benefit significantly by implementing digitalisation to streamline manual, complex processes and optimise output according to prescribed objectives.

The current and future economy demands implementation of a dynamic technological infrastructure that allows seamless integration and automation of operations, logistics and sales activities to carry out
material delivery process. When we talk about integration and automation of supply chain management, we are talking about a complete solution for material delivery from pit to the point of delivery.

Let’s look at some of the fundamental areas in which technology can benefit the mining sales and distribution arena.

Visibility across disconnected departments and processes
No matter how efficiently an individual department performs, unless and until it’s communicated properly to the other linear or horizontal departments, a data/ info cannot be utilized expeditiously. Starting from capturing the leads, converting them to the clients, order placement, logistic management to delivering the material to the client and processing payment! Every dot must be connected. Hence, crystal clear visibility is much needed. Well-travelled information brings transparency between various departments that allow the decision makers to boil down to sound decisions leading to:
• Generation of accurate forecasts
• Anticipation of bottlenecks and dealing with them proactively
• Seamless communication between suppliers, backend, and clients in a
timely manner.

The process of material delivery is dependent on various independent business processes fragmented across the mine value chain. This includes production, human resource management, operational planning, beneficiation, logistics, quality or grade control and at times a sales and marketing element. Without the necessary workflow taking place within these businesses silos, optimisation cannot be realised.

Use of data expeditiously
The concept of spreadsheets still hangs on with many mining companies. Mining operations typically only use as little as 10 per cent of their data and that data itself is often not used meaningfully. Managing large and complex data sets using systems that rely on manual methods of entry, leaves mining operations exposed to situations where there is potential for inaccuracy in data, lack of real-time data and no navigable audit trail. A system guided data aggregation at every level of the supply chain can help companies derive accurate and transparent data. Adopting digital technology for data collection also helps in more refined future prediction of different aspects of operations throughout the mining value chain.

Handling stock and streamlining material delivery
As the mines fasten their seatbelts for rapid transformation in mining technology, there is no room left for traditional and outdated approaches to managing operations. Advanced infrastructure and process management systems are required to manage large volumes of throughputs. In order to assure that the right material is delivered to the right place at right time within the required quality parameters and at the right cost, it’s important to synchronise between the agents, production, backend, logistics, operations as well as the clients.

Mines adapting to latest technologies to manage material delivery can experience the following benefits:
• Increased plant yields and efficiency
• Improvement in visibility of material delivery management
• Oversight to assist in achieving required quality parameters
• Optimised logistics to reduce costs and meet client contractual
sales obligations.

Reactore’s offering for the sale and distribution arena
Reactore’s ‘Sales & Distribution’ solution deals with end-to-end material delivery management for mines and their aggregates. The module has a clearly defined system that deals with processes starting from lead capturing, client management, order management, logistics to delivery to the client. The idea is to remove the complexity in executing various tasks by making all information readily available across all departments, simply and streamline business processes with system based workflow. Automation, user-friendly system interfaces, integration with existing systems and accurate reporting allows the mining companies to streamline efforts, achieve real-time accurate data and leverage the power of predictive analytics and reporting.

Typical sales and distribution cycle scenario using Reactore’s solution
A typical scenario can entail a business model where agents or intermediaries are involved in engaging with clients and processing orders for various mined and processed materials.

Reactore’s Sales and Distribution application empowers the buyers or agents to have complete access and overview on order placement and tracking. They can check the availability of materials, available
delivery time slots and place their orders according to their convenient time. Once the order is placed, the delivery instructions are automatically assigned using powerful logistics planning algorithms to the drivers available for the desired delivery slot. Based on these instructions, the driver heads towards the loading zone where both the driver and the vehicle undergo a security check. After proper authentication, the driver is allowed entry for loading his vehicle and once loaded, it goes through the weighbridge scanner to confirm load quantity and an automatic invoice is generated simultaneously. All these logistic details are duly recorded in Reactore’s Sales and Distribution platform for review, reporting, and complete oversight.

The client then receives a notification regarding the dispatch of the product, and both client and company’s personnel can track the vehicle movement in real time. Once the material reaches its destination, the delivery is confirmed after client authentication and it is updated in
his profile. For larger orders, the consignment is tracked against a larger progressive indicator of overall order completion. For the convenience of the users, Reactore provides control and tracking of
activities through easy to use mobile applications. While the client can place an order through a mobile application, similarly the loader, driver, as well as weighbridge operator can update information through Reactore’s application on their tablets where required.

Closing statement
Ultimately for Reactore, the driving factor is the removal of the complexity associated with using outdated, disconnected, manual systems and achieving optimisation by applying leading edge technology
meaningfully to operations. Reactore Systems’ drive and vision to bring the Indian mining and construction industry into the digital age will result in significant gains and ROI in the years to follow and bring these respective industries in line with all the benefits associated with the new digital age and the 4th industrial revolution.
Authored by__

Rashmi Singh
Digital Marketing Strategist
Reactore Systems