Unleashing the Power of Microservices in Supply Chain Software

As their name suggests, microservices are small. This means they can be developed, deployed, and managed by an evenly small team of developers. This approach offers the advantage of increased agility. Where large teams often have to deal with communication problems and managerial red tape, small teams can respond to new developments and changes much more quickly.

Additionally, microservices allow teams to leverage domain-specific knowledge. This allows them to tailor the end product to the specific needs of users in a given industry, domain, or niche. For instance, within a procurement software platform, microservices can focus solely on managing spending.  

Each microservice is independently managed by a small core team, that facilitates much more prompt fixes, updates, feature releases, etc. 

What Are Microservices in Supply Chain Software?

Within the context of supply chain software platforms, microservices refer to independently-deployable applications to complete various business processes. These applications encompass functions ranging from order management to warehousing to customer intelligence. 

Microservices-based logistics software offers distinct advantages over traditional supply chain management software, which uses a more “monolithic” design. Therefore, understanding microservices and their potential to enhance warehouse management is essential for supply chain managers.

In this article, the pros at InventorSoft will discuss Microservices implementation in supply chain optimization.

Familiar Terminology Related to Microservices in Supply Chain Software

Before they understand how microservices will benefit them, supply chain managers should familiarize themselves with several fundamental terms related to the concept. For starters, microservices employ a RESTful API (Representational State Transfer), which requires less bandwidth for data actions.

APIs (application program interface) allow multiple programs to communicate using function cells. There are four primary actions designed to manage the client / server relationship. They are: 

• GET – Retrieves information from a resource.

• PUT – Enables a client to modify or update data within a resource. 

• POST – Creates the resource.

• DELETE – Removes the resource.

  
  

Why Microservices Are Replacing Monolithic Applications (benefits)

Again, most traditional l business applications fall under the "Monolithic” category.  Such applications require extensive coding and changes, even for the most minor data updates. In fact, most monolithic applications cannot be modified without reinstalling and updating the entire program.

By contrast, microservices-based applications rely on APIs. However, these interfaces offer greater flexibility than conventional APIs. They are specifically designed to facilitate the continuous improvement of various systems. With our supply chain development services, you can harness the power of microservices to foster innovation seamlessly, enabling continuous technology advancements while maintaining system stability.

Here are just a few associated benefits of microservices in supply chain management:

• Increased Agility – managers can facilitate a more agile supply chain with microservices, as they allow software developers to build and test new processes within specific parts of the application.

• Improved Efficiency – The microservice architecture requires fewer resources, optimizing coding practices.

• Enhanced Resiliency – Fewer disruptions ensure cross-platform functionality without risking failure.

• Cost Reducing – Faster coding results in reduced downtime and enables continuous improvement and cost savings. 

  
  

Ultimately, managers can drastically improve supply chain software development with microservices.

The Growing Adoption of Microservices in Supply Chain Software

Here’s an easy way to visualize supply chain microservices in action. Imagine that a company wants to create a new algorithm to enhance data storage and retrieval. Microservices can facilitate the connection and integration of that new function into the system much easier. In fact, scores of major companies are already using microservices to manage internet calls from hundreds of device types, including Netflix, Amazon, PayPal, and Target. <>

The Future of Microservices in Action

There’s no denying that the usage of microservices in warehouses will keep growing. In fact, many Order Management Systems (OMS) and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) are already implementing microservices in one way or another.

Many experts feel this trend is inevitable based on companies’ increased need to alter the amount of automation in their fulfillment centers. After all, microservices make interfacing with a mix of human-operated RF, voice, or vision-picking systems or Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) much more uncomplicated.

Thanks to a growing interest in faster, more reliable system upgrades, microservices are sure to play a critical role in defining the success or failure of modern warehouses.