Elevating Cannabis Logistics: Solutions for Vertically Integrated Companies with FlyWheel

The cannabis industry, with its fragmented state-by-state structure, regulatory restrictions, and immature technology and solutions, is a breeding ground for unique challenges. 

Vertical integration, or when a company owns the complete supply chain from growing the plant to selling the product, is required in some states, illegal in others, and tolerated in still more. This has created a system where vertically integrated cannabis companies often find themselves having to piece together different technologies, leading to large tech stacks and inefficient processes. Or even worse, large organizations relying on manual processes that require lots of time and put the business at risk for manual errors. 

Today, we’re going to touch on the current state of cannabis logistics for vertically integrated cannabis businesses, while exploring the possibilities that FlyWheel provides to these operations. 

Current Realities of Vertically Integrated Logistics

In the rapidly evolving cannabis industry, operational efficiency is paramount for sustained success. Yet, many vertically integrated cannabis organizations find themselves shackled by outdated processes and disjointed systems, hindering their ability to thrive in a competitive market. Specific pain points include: 

Manual Processes: Manual tasks plague the daily operations of cannabis organizations, consuming valuable time and resources while leaving room for error. From inventory management to order processing, reliance on manual methods introduces inefficiencies that stunt growth and erode profitability. 

Lack of Integration: Disconnected systems, particularly in the realm of ERP solutions, create silos for information that impede operational cohesion. Without seamless integration, businesses struggle to synchronize data and streamline workflows, resulting in fragmented operations and missed opportunities. 

Limited Insights: Access to actionable insights is the lifeblood of informed decision-making, yet many cannabis companies are left without the necessary tools to understand their data. Without a holistic view of operations, businesses operate in the dark, unable to identify trends, optimize processes, or capitalize on opportunities. 

Inefficient Ordering: The ordering process, marred by manual entry and disjointed communication channels, represents a significant bottleneck in the supply chain. Cumbersome workflows lead to delays, errors, and frustrated stakeholders, undermining customer satisfaction and eroding profitability. 

Ineffective Logistics: Logistics inefficiencies pose a significant challenge for cannabis organizations, driving up costs and compromising customer service standards. From suboptimal route planning to inadequate inventory visibility, legacy logistics processes fall short of meeting the demands of a dynamic market landscape. 

The FlyWheel Difference

FlyWheel, in contrast, was created to tackle the 3 big challenges faced by vertically integrated cannabis companies – Ordering inefficiencies, lack of ERP integration and providing insightful analytics. Here’s how we address these challenges: 

Seamless Integration: FlyWheel connects seamlessly with ERP systems like Flourish and Distru, enabling streamlined operations. FlyWheel bridges the integration gaps, providing a centralized platform that harmonizes disparate systems and unlocks synergies across the organization.

Automation:  Utilizing the best APIs, FlyWheel automates manual tasks, reducing errors and freeing up time for more strategic activities. With FlyWheel, labor-intensive processes are automated, liberating teams to focus on strategic initiatives that drive business growth. 

Enhanced Insights: Businesses gain holistic insights into their operations, including sell-through data and product profitability across all locations. FlyWheel illuminates the path forward, delivering real-time analytics and predictive insights that empower businesses to navigate with clarity and confidence. 

Streamlined Ordering: The ordering process is simplified, making it easier for businesses to replenish stock and manage inventory efficiently. FlyWheel streamlines the ordering process, providing a seamless interface that simplifies inventory management, accelerates order fulfillment, and enhances overall efficiency.

Empowered Decision-Making & Proactive Solutions: FlyWheel not only provides data but also equips businesses with the tools to act upon that data, enabling informed decision-making. FlyWheel offers proactive solutions, such as automating reorder reports, to address immediate business needs and drive operational efficiency.

Improved Logistics: FlyWheel enhances logistics offerings, negotiating better discounts, accelerating payment cycles, and consolidating orders to reduce costs. FlyWheel optimizes logistics operations, leveraging advanced algorithms and real-time tracking capabilities to minimize transportation costs, improve delivery times, and elevate the customer experience.

Overall, FlyWheel emerges as a catalyst for transformation within the cannabis industry, empowering organizations to overcome the operational hurdles that once impeded their growth. By automating manual processes, fostering integration, unlocking actionable insights, streamlining ordering workflows, and optimizing logistics operations, FlyWheel equips cannabis enterprises with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace. 

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