Visibility Across The Supply Chain

The need, and demands, for visibility across the supply chain has always been a key focus in the extended supply chain network and to this end, the extended supply chain network has always been focused on using technology to achieve results.  The extended supply chain recognized early on that technology must be utilized to meet their objectives and moreover, have always been open to the investments in technology to meet these needs. The extended supply chain partners have recognized and achieved dramatic benefits through the use of investments in technology.  The Internet of Things is the most recent wave of technology investments for the extended supply chain partners and these tools combined with the growth and improvements in data collection and data analytics is fueling the next wave of improved and extended visibility across the extended supply chain.

The supply chain extended partners have shown over and over again an ability to incorporate technology and network capabilities to increase the visibility across the supply chain to help improve services and capabilities and each time these efforts have provided a great return on investment.  Now with the increase of collaboration and the even greater extension of the supply chain reach there is even more opportunity to leverage technology through enhanced collaborative practices. The key now to the efforts is the collaborative capabilities through the network. The growth of consumer interaction and demands on the market through their embrace of similar collaborative technologies is now pushing the edges of supply chain visibility even further.

Every partner in the extended supply chain including the end customer of the supply chain is now demanding increased visibility and capabilities to optimize and even adjust within the supply chain.  You see the results of this especially within the retail supply chain where the end consumer is interacting directly with not only the carriers to coordinate the last mile delivery but also interacting directly from the manufacturer to the end retailer in shopping and purchasing.  The enhanced visibility supports the endless aisles concept beautifully and efficiently and these capabilities have moved the baseline even higher.

The visibility drive is enhanced from the improved data analytics and the tools incorporated by the supply chain to track and manage the processes through the supply chain provide a treasure trove of data to be used to increase the visibility and tracking through the supply chain.  The data is the driving factor of the visibility across the supply chain. The technology improvements in networks and wireless capabilities allow the tracking and visibility of each individual delivery and shipment and container from cradle to grave. This capability is truly available now and in some industries has been incorporated and other industries have already started moving in this direction.

Enhanced visibility in the supply chain is a reality and the visibility is driven by the demands of all partners across the extended supply chain that is fueled by improved data analytics and expansion of the Internet of Things technology to capture data from additional outlets.  To put it into a consumer perspective, the days are limited where consumers will sit at home waiting on a morning or afternoon appointment. The number of partners that provide specific time and tracking of deliveries and repair trucks is increasing every day. This is only a surface example of the types of capabilities available and the extended supply chain is continuously pushing the limit to increase efficiencies and eliminate issues.  The increased visibility becomes now a key tool in the validation process of the continuous improvement process.