1. Take control of the supply chain. Leading companies actively monitor and share their supply chain data. By placing themselves at the center of their supply chains, they gather more data.   These companies automate communications with and between trading partners through utilizing business process triggers.  The triggers may initiate a formal action or filing, or perhaps provide an executional signal of an upcoming shipment handoff.  Best in class companies also adopt collaborative technology and global standards to manage and share external supply chain data.


2. Integrate automation tools to coordinate and synchronize visibility. Global trade management tools allow leaders to dynamically manage product, information and financial flows across an extended global supply chain. By using technology, best in class companies are able to have online visibility into in-transit inventory.  They are able to quickly access supply chain data for decision making; and automate or redirect in-transit flows and orders to balance higher demands or inventory imbalances.


3. Collaborate both at the internal and external level. While all companies need effective internal communications, the need for external collaboration grows with the degree of overseas sourcing. Leading companies place a higher priority on controlling their supply chains and coordinating with external parties.


4. Find and strengthen the weakest link. A collaborative supply chain is only as strong as its weakest link. While a leader may have adopted global standards and supply chain visibility technology and processes, an external partner may not have. Best in class companies not only have collaborative visibility processes, they use them and they strive to ensure their suppliers, carriers, trading and 3PL partners have the same capabilities.


5. Track transport and logistics events to the unit level. Global supply chain shipments involve a myriad of partners, including suppliers, carriers, 3PL partners and the end customer. Ocean transport in particular can involve long lead times and a variety of hand-offs. Leaders are more likely to be compliant with global standards, such as GS1, at the unit level, and monitor activities at the unit and container levels. They are tightly interconnected with their LSPs and other partners and receive status updates on their transport and logistics events.

6. Improve upstream visibility. Typical supply chain visibility dead spots include tracking raw materials; suppliers’ production in-process events; and suppliers’ projected production plans. Better upstream visibility helps improve supply chain planning, ultimately leading to improving on time delivery to customers.