COVID-19 Drives Evolution of BOPIS!!!

Just as recently as January of 2020, companies could hide behind pretty-looking websites with limited supply chain capabilities, and yet tout to be leaders in supply chain. 

Then, COVID-19 happened, and the hollowness in supply chain limitations of many companies lay bare for everyone to see. At the same time, it also brought to light enormous capabilities created by companies that had invested into understanding and modernizing the e-Commerce for almost a decade. World realized that, Amazon, however big, is just one such vendor and a whole host of other companies capable of serving their customers exist and are required to sustain our lives.

Until recently, terms such as BOPIS (Buy Online Pickup in Store) was used by Early Adopters of a specific demographic as a way of shopping. However, in a matter of just a few weeks, this has become the norm of the day. 

It feels as if the adaption moved towards the Late Majority in the bell curve. The e-Commerce is no longer “another” way of shopping, but a way of life, that can adapt to good and challenging times. The “Retail E-Commerce” has shifted to “Real life e-Commerce” as the world suddenly woke up to a shift in demand to specific products and the ways of delivery in an extremely short period of time.

Like those in the past, human race will come out of this crisis too. But, as we emerge from our homes in coming weeks and months, and re-adjust to different ways of life, it’s time for companies, those that are battered by this event and also ones that have done well, to re-evaluate their future in this altered world of e-Commerce and recognize that commerce exists to fulfill the needs of real people and find efficient ways to make it happen.

“May you live in interesting times” is a famous quote, and fortunately, we live in an interesting time where innovation is at its best with supply chain technologies, empowering capabilities from keeping grocery shelves stocked to making sure that people have access to them.

But, building supply chain capabilities doesn’t happen magically by waving a wand. Creating a robust and continuously adapting supply chain that can endure and morph to handle the effects created by events beyond our control involves connecting complex systems and solutions. It starts with understanding your customers and their demographics along with evaluating your supply chain sources.

After identifying your business needs, the next step is to evaluate technological innovations that are in the market and use those capabilities to meet your evolving business. In a world where cloud solutions are the norm, finding solutions that can connect quickly and be stood up in a short period of time is of the essence.

This crisis has shown that we need to be humble in that an invisible microbe can play havoc in our lives. It also is a moment of realization that we are at the cusp of change in technological adaption by a larger population.

Make sure you are ready. Because your customers are there now!!!

To quote Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) in Jurassic park “Life, Uh Finds a way”.

To help you find such a way, connect with a knowledge-based partner that can work with you to guide you in the process.

Thank you for reading. Please provide your comments and stay safe.