While the concept of supply chain visibility isn’t new, advancements in analytics and technologies are helping companies to make step changes in this area. Our findings reveal the progress these enterprises are making, where they feel they need to do more, and how their efforts are paying off.

Intelligent visibility: a cost-effective route to greater resiliency

Most business leaders would likely agree that more visibility is a good thing. But how good? What could companies do with greater visibility that they could«n’t otherwise do? And does visibility alone truly make a supply chain more resilient?

We can categorize visibility capabilities into two broad groups—structural and dynamic. Each has its own characteristics and benefits.

Structural visibility helps companies understand such things as:  Where their suppliers are  Where their points of manufacturing are  What logistics routes they use, including those of their partners  Interrelationships across the broader supply chain network  Potential supply chain risks and weaknesses

There are four main types of supply chain structural visibility:

  • Network mapping documents the company-owned assets and those of key partners, illustrating their locations and connections between them

  • Classic risk management is the cyclical approach of identifying and resolving potential risks to the supply chain.

  • Network assessment determines risk inherent in the network’s design.

  • Modeling computer-based simulation refers to a computer-based simulation of the actual performance of the network.

Most companies employ regular network mapping, classic risk management, and network simulation/optimization/ modeling. Such activities tend to be more frequent during times of disruption.

Dynamic visibility: what’s happening across our supply chain right now?

There are four main types of dynamic visibility:

  • Monitoring. It involves collecting and observing signals that indicate the performance and status of supply chain functions, ideally in real time.

  • Predicting. With the usage of real-time supply chain signals to generate projections about the supply chain’s future state

  • Prescribing. It involves using real-time supply chain signals and a control tower’s algorithmic decision-making capabilities to recommend actions that take advantage of opportunities and minimize the impact of disruptions

  • Autonomous execution. With process automation control tower can independently act on real-time supply chain signals to capitalize on opportunities and minimize the impact of disruptions.

While companies have relatively mature structural visibility capabilities for their own operations (apart from N-tier supplier visibility), dynamic visibility is more nascent.

When it comes to resiliency, visibility delivers.

Companies with greater visibility are better positioned to weather all kinds of disruptions.

Good enough is, usually, good enough.

Full visibility across the supply chain isn’t necessary, or economically feasible. Focus on the really important areas of the business

Structural visibility is a requirement.

Every company should, with the help of digital twins, have the basics such as network mapping, risk management, network assessments, and modeling in place.

They can leverage advanced analytics to go to the next level— especially around end-to-end visibility and simulation.

More advanced dynamic visibility should be the target.

Predictive visibility and autonomous execution, achieved with a sophisticated control tower, are the keys to maximizing resiliency.

To enable visibility for your supply chain, you can use Microsoft Dynamics Supply Chain Management. This leading solution allows you to predict demand using AI, improve delivery by using predictive analytics, build agile factories and manufacturing processes with predictive technologies and maximize asset uptime and lifespan

Published On: / Categories: ERP, Logistics /

Upgrade your business strength with Dynamics 365

OntargIT is an official Microsoft partner for the implementation of Dynamics 365 technologies. With our experience in various industries, we will provide an individualized approach and effective solutions that will perfectly meet the needs of your company. Leave a request now, and our team of experts will help you take advantage of all the benefits of Dynamics 365.

Upgrade your business strength with Dynamics 365

OntargIT is an official Microsoft partner for the implementation of Dynamics 365 technologies. With our experience in various industries, we will provide an individualized approach and effective solutions that will perfectly meet the needs of your company. Leave a request now, and our team of experts will help you take advantage of all the benefits of Dynamics 365.