Supply Chain Visibility
Also known as: SCV, End-to-End Visibility, Logistics Visibility
Definition
Supply chain visibility (SCV) refers to the ability to track inventory, shipments, and orders as they move through the entire supply chain. It provides real-time insight into where goods are, when they’ll arrive, and what issues might affect them.
Levels of Visibility
| Level | What You Can See | How |
|---|---|---|
| Order | Order status, expected dates | OMS integration |
| Shipment | Carrier tracking, location | Carrier APIs |
| Inventory | Stock levels, locations | WMS integration |
| Production | Manufacturing status | ERP integration |
| Supplier | Inbound shipments | Supplier portals |
Benefits of Supply Chain Visibility
Operational
- Proactive exception management
- Reduced safety stock requirements
- Better resource planning
- Faster issue resolution
Customer
- Accurate delivery promises
- Proactive communication
- Improved satisfaction
- Reduced support inquiries
Financial
- Lower expediting costs
- Reduced inventory carrying costs
- Better demand forecasting
- Improved working capital
Visibility Data Sources
- Carrier tracking - Real-time shipment location
- IoT sensors - Temperature, shock, humidity
- GPS devices - Asset/vehicle location
- EDI transactions - Status messages between systems
- Port/terminal data - Container status
- Customs systems - Clearance status
Visibility Challenges
- Data silos - Information trapped in separate systems
- Trading partner cooperation - Not everyone shares data
- Standardization - Different formats, codes, identifiers
- Real-time vs. batch - Delayed data limits usefulness
- Data quality - Incomplete or inaccurate information
Visibility Technology
- Visibility platforms - FourKites, project44, Transporeon
- Control towers - Centralized monitoring dashboards
- TMS integration - Connected transportation management
- API connectivity - Real-time data exchange
- AI/ML - Predictive ETA and exception detection
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