Despite having more resources and technology than ever, research says that two out of three businesses lack end-to-end visibility into their supply chains. Why is this so? For starters, the prime culprits are inaccurate data, multiple logistics providers and outdated processes. However, the increasing reliance on multiple carriers for cost and risk mitigation means that establishing a single source of truth for all logistics information can be a challenge. The need of the hour is a supply chain that provides visibility for each step of the way. Businesses need to rely on technologies, processes and systems to know where their products are and redirect them quickly.

Customers these days seek greater transparency with regard to their shipment, with some requiring hourly updates instead of daily. This has resulted in shippers also seeking more visibility and control over their products. While the ability to see very SKU pass through the supply chain in real-time is a blessing that modern technology affords us, the massive amount of data thrown up by the solutions are of no use unless managed or incorrect. Which is why a business needs to reach out to supply chain management consulting firms to help set up systems, processes, logistics expertise and service. They ensure that the business can see and manage everything that they need to and not things that they don’t. Having the right supply chain consultant can help you go beyond just visibility and gain transparency. These two terms may seem the same at first glance, but while visibility merely means having a full view into one’s supply chain operations, transparency means agility and empowering the right people with the right information at the right time. This also means managing by exception by building the supply chain platform around business rules. Another benefit is data accuracy as fast data is of no use if it is not accurate. Having the right supply chain management consulting firm as your partner also ensures that your supply chain always has the right resources, technology and commitment to service to keep your customers, and in turn, you happy. They can help you identify patterns such as which supplier consistently delivers late so that you can make better choices when the time for the next shipment arrives.

True supply chain visibility is not just about understanding what’s possible but also about understanding what’s best for your business. By partnering with a supply chain consultant you and your organisation gain unprecedented control over operations by building a more transparent supply chain. This will, in turn, help your business provide better customer service experiences like faster delivery, quicker returns and real-time tracking to your customer, thus boosting profit and consumer loyalty.