4 Supply Chain Visibility Truths to Consider for Your Business

As 2015 gets into full swing, you may be considering some changes for your business.

If one of those changes is improving your supply chain visibility, consider implementing some or all of the following ideas:

1. Supply chain visibility should be centered on the customer.
   As time has progressed, certain aspects of supply chain management have become obsolete. As an example, when was the last time you used a printed form or catalog? Meanwhile, customer expectations continue to rise, including the need for more personalized products and services, faster delivery times, and ease of ordering. Since people are used to this speed and efficiency in their business and personal lives, the pressure for suppliers to become in sync is becoming more and more important.

2. Use unstructured data for the betterment of your business.
   Time is a scarce resource in most businesses, and speed is a necessity for a competitive advantage. Researchers at The Economist Intelligence Unit recently released findings on “The Rise of the Customer-Led Economy” that suggested, for the customer-centric approach mentioned above, companies are better off implementing technology solutions now instead of using the “wait and see” method. Taking time to process, understand and make decisions with data can all cause bottlenecks in the operation. Technology can help transactions by speeding this process up.

3. Data can help bring the past into the present.
   Data is a valuable resource for companies, and it can be leveraged in real time. Using Big Data, companies can analyze past transactions to make better decisions for the future.

4. Smarter supply chain technology means better human decision making.
   There has been a fear in the last few years that artificial intelligence will overtake human intelligence. However, Wired magazine recently released a report that said human intelligence is actually expanding in conjunction with artificial intelligence. According to this idea, supply chain leaders can use predictive technologies to help anticipate scenarios for the future. This allows for more effective operations in the supply chain as well as a better understanding of the variables that affect supply chain performance.

If you’re interested in improving your supply chain process with a tool that connects importers and exporters with their overseas suppliers, customers, logistics providers, brokers and carriers, you can read Amber Road’s Supply Chain Visibility brochure.