Supply Chain Visibility: Governing the Flow of Data in Manufacturing and Logistics

IDC Manufacturing Insights Opinion
Manufacturing companies and third-party logistics providers are facing the most complex and volatile business environment in their history.

With fewer people to provide analytical support, yet exponentially more data to interpret, supply chain organizations are being asked to provide better cost and service performance than ever before.

Complex and extended global supply networks are a consequence of globalization and the chase for “low cost” manufacturing, while volatile demand has become the new norm, with consumers who are less brand loyal and far more selective than ever before - and, frankly, are willing to “leave their wallet at home” if the value they require in a purchase is not apparent.

Manufacturers are finding it difficult to manage a volatile demand environment with a complex, extended supply chain, and while IDC Manufacturing Insights is starting to see some companies revising the supply side of their supply chains, this is not something that can happen overnight.

The quicker approach, frankly, is to move to an aligned “business interaction network” by having all the information necessary to make better business decisions available in one convenient place.

This is the approach that Axway takes, providing an integrated capability to offer a global view of the entire IT enterprise and enabling end-to-end visibility and event notifications.

The challenges and opportunities that we have presented in this white paper frame the way forward for the manufacturing and logisticssupply chain.

An application such as the one we have defined in this white paper can provide a foundation for success, allowing manufacturers and logistics operations to meet today’s needs while providing the flexibility necessary to evolve as their customers’ needs change.