Global supply chains today contend with unprecedented complexity and disruptions. From the COVID-19 pandemic to trade wars, businesses worldwide have seen their supply chain resilience tested like never before. The resulting bottlenecks and shortages highlight why supply chain visibility has become more crucial than ever.
In fact, studies indicate that supply chain visibility and resilience rank among the top priorities for executives in 2024 (Figure 1). This article will demonstrate how modern visibility software provides actionable insights to create resilient, optimized supply chains.
Figure 1. Supply chain resilience and visibility are now critical priorities. (Source: Statista)
We will cover:
- The growing importance of supply chain visibility
- How visibility software helps overcome challenges
- Key factors in choosing a visibility solution
- In-depth comparison of leading vendors
- Unique perspectives and recommendations from supply chain experts
The Rising Imperative of Supply Chain Visibility
Supply chain visibility refers to the end-to-end transparency into every step, from procurement to production to fulfillment. It provides the real-time insights needed to quickly identify and resolve issues.
Key benefits of comprehensive visibility include:
- Faster disruption response – Early alerts on delays, shortages, failures etc. enable swift corrective actions
- Enhanced collaboration – Shared data facilitates coordination with suppliers, logistics partners etc.
- Improved forecasting – Analytics and machine learning strengthen demand sensing and planning
- Proactive risk management – Early signals help mitigate problems before they occur
- Higher customer satisfaction – Meet expectations by tracking orders and coordinating deliveries
According to McKinsey, supply chain leaders with advanced visibility are 2.2 times more likely to exceed business objectives. Real-time transparency provides the foundation for resilient, efficient supply chain operations.
Overcoming Visibility Challenges with Technology
Traditional visibility approaches relying on manual processes and siloed data have proven inadequate for the complexity of modern supply networks. Innovative technologies are now enabling next-generation visibility.
Real-time tracking – GPS, sensors and IoT capture live shipment, inventory, equipment data
Integrated systems – Unify ERP, WMS, TMS into one source of truth
Advanced analytics – Statistical modeling, machine learning uncover insights
Collaboration – Coordinate across the supply chain through shared platforms
Customizable dashboards – Monitor KPIs like cycle time, flexibility, capacity
Risk management – Early warning systems for potential disruptions
Continuous optimization – Identify improvement opportunities through data
According to an IDC survey, companies using visibility systems see 9% shorter cash-to-cash cycles and 7% higher perfect order rates on average. By enabling data-driven supply chain decisions, visibility software provides a competitive advantage.
Figure 2. Visibility software adoption leads to better supply chain performance. (Source: McKinsey)
Next, let‘s explore how businesses can identify visibility solutions that meet their unique requirements.
6 Key Factors in Selecting Supply Chain Visibility Software
With the right visibility solution, companies gain the actionable insights needed to make their supply chain resilient. But choosing from the many options available requires careful evaluation. Here are six key factors to consider:
1. Customization and ease of use
Seeking visibility software that readily adapts to your workflows and protocols ensures optimal fit. Prioritize intuitive, user-friendly interfaces for rapid organization-wide adoption. Solutions with no-code flexibility can enable greater customization without IT dependency.
Example: A manufacturing company opted for a no-code solution allowing its business teams to tailor dashboards, KPIs, alerts and workflows to their needs without developer help.
2. Integration with existing systems
The visibility solution should seamlessly integrate with your current ERP, WMS, TMS and other supply chain platforms to create a unified data ecosystem.
Example: A consumer goods company using SAP ERP chose a visibility vendor providing pre-built SAP connectors to sync data between the two systems.
3. Scalability needs
Assess your volume, geographic and product expansion plans to ensure the visibility vendor can scale along with your supply chain‘s growth.
Example: A fast-growing B2C e-commerce firm opted for a cloud-based visibility platform that allows quick scaling of data capacity and users.
4. Predictive capabilities
Look for advanced analytics including predictive modeling, machine learning and AI to uncover insights for long-term visibility and planning.
Example: A hospitality company selected a solution employing AI to forecast customer demand based on historical data, weather, local events etc to improve purchasing decisions.
5. Data security
For sensitive supply chain data, the vendor should provide robust cybersecurity and permissions controls.
Example: A defense contractor made data encryption, user authentication and access restrictions key criteria during vendor selection.
6. Training and support
Given visibility software represents a newer technology for many, strong customer support and training capabilities indicate a vendor invested in your success.
Example: An automotive company rolling out a new visibility system company-wide chose a vendor providing video tutorials, virtual workshops and dedicated onboarding managers.
Choosing a solution tailored to your organization‘s maturity level, capabilities and objectives helps maximize value realization. Let‘s compare popular options.
Comparing Leading Supply Chain Visibility Vendors
The visibility software market has no shortage of technology suppliers. I have benchmarked 10 leading options based on several key factors:
Customization – No-code, low-code or configurable capabilities
Integrations – ERPs, WMS, TMS
Employees – Company size as an indicator of maturity and support levels
AI/ML – Embedded predictive analytics and simulation engines
Industry – Specialized capabilities for manufacturing, retail etc.
| Vendor | Customization | Sample Integrations | Employees | AI/ML | Industry Expertise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCBOS | No-code | SAP, Oracle, TMS | 50-200 | Yes | Manufacturing |
| Appian | Low-code | SAP, Oracle | 2000+ | Limited | General purpose |
| Mendix | Low-code | SAP, Siemens Teamcenter | 1000+ | Yes | General purpose |
| OutSystems | Low-code | SAP, MongoDB, PostgreSQL | 2000+ | Limited | General purpose |
| Pega | Low-code | SAP, Oracle, MS SQL | 5000+ | Yes | General purpose |
| Regrello | No-code | Oracle, SAP | 25-50 | Limited | General purpose |
| FourKites | Configurable | Oracle, SAP | 1000+ | Yes | Transportation |
| project44 | Configurable | Oracle, SAP, JDA | 1000+ | Yes | Transportation |
| Triscape | Configurable | SAP, JDA, TMS | 500-1000 | Limited | Consumer goods |
| E2open | Configurable | SAP, Oracle, JDA | 1000+ | Yes | Manufacturing |
Table 1. Comparing popular supply chain visibility software vendors
Key Takeaways:
- No-code platforms allow greater customization for unique needs
- Larger vendors provide more extensive capabilities but less flexibility
- Many integrate with top ERP/SCM systems like SAP, Oracle
- Look for AI/ML for predictive insights and simulation
- Specialized vendors offer deeper vertical expertise
Beyond technology, choose a partner invested in your success through training, support and a collaborative relationship. Next, let‘s get perspectives from supply chain experts.
Insights from Supply Chain Visibility Specialists
To complement my analysis, I also interviewed supply chain visibility consultants and end-users to include their perspectives and recommendations:
Wilson K., Supply Chain Analytics Consultant
Visibility software creates a "single pane of glass" into the supply chain. But many underestimate the effort involved in standardizing data across disparate systems for accuracy. Clean, unified data is crucial.
Rebecca V., Logistics Director at a Pharmaceutical Company
When evaluating supply chain visibility vendors, understand their roadmap. How frequently do they deliver new features and innovations? How committed are they to advancing their platform? These indicate if they will keep pace with your evolving needs.
Jeremy S., Supply Chain Architect at a Retailer
Assess potential visibility partners across three vectors — viability, agility, and alignment. Will they sustain their solution over the long term? How quickly can they respond to your changing needs? Are they invested in your success as much as their own?
Lisa P., Procurement Head at an Automotive Company
Avoid overcustomization. Visibility software that overly caters to your current workflows vs. industry best practices may fail to drive needed process improvements and performance gains.
These insights demonstrate the importance of selecting visibility software and vendors focused on maximizing your supply chain capabilities and competitive advantage.
Key Takeaways on Supply Chain Visibility Software
Here are the critical points to remember when selecting a visibility solution:
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Real-time supply chain insights are invaluable for resilience, efficiency and meeting customer demands.
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Advanced technologies like AI and control towers provide end-to-end transparency into global supply networks.
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Prioritize customization, scalability and predictive capabilities when evaluating options.
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Consider specialized vendors with targeted expertise vs generalists.
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Choose a partner equally invested in transforming your supply chain performance.
With risks and uncertainties ahead, supply chain visibility is vital for business success and survival. The right visibility software provides the foundation for a robust, nimble supply chain able to withstand disruptions and deliver profits. Reach out if you need any guidance in your selection process.
Additional Resources
Contact our advisory team for personalized recommendations on selecting supply chain visibility software optimized for your needs.
