Embracing technology for successful supply chain collaboration
Updated: Mar 20
No man is an island, so the saying goes. And in today's complex global supply chain environment, no business can afford to be an island either. Collaboration is crucial to survive – and thrive – in a world of constant change, challenges and disruption.
With suppliers, manufacturers, hauliers, and retailers all playing critical roles in the delivery of goods and services, co-ordination and communication are essential. However, many organisations struggle to effectively collaborate across their supply chains – leading to inefficiencies and higher costs.
Against this backdrop, a new generation of technology is playing a key role in delivering competitive advantage. From digital twin technology and blockchain to advanced analytics and intelligent data orchestration, the very latest technology is opening the door to effective collaboration across even the most complex supply chain.
Why you need a digital twin
Creating real-time digital models of physical consignments, for example, makes it possible for all participants to access them via a central platform. These digital twins comprise all relevant data for a consignment, dynamically updating in real time with new data as the consignment progresses through the supply chain. Consignment and inventory data can be combined with transport schedules and allocated transport, as well as data captured from a vehicle telematics system.
Unlocking multi-dimensional insights
Relationships between the digital models are created by the use of intelligent data orchestration – unlocking complex, real-time, multi-dimensional insights with the data that is generated across the supply chain. This can highlight areas for improvement and lead to data-driven decisions to increase efficiency and cost effectiveness. It can also help companies mitigate risk – by providing real-time visibility of supply chain performance and enabling proactive management of potential problems.
This lies at the heart of Atamai Freight as it ensures only relevant data is sourced from connected systems – something that is vital to encourage supply chain collaboration. The requirements of each stakeholder are often very different but the one thing they all have in common is the need to avoid sharing commercially confidential information.
Feeding the data into a blockchain – an advanced, decentralised database mechanism that allows transparent information sharing – provides long-term trust in the data and ensures integrity. And it can fuel machine learning and artificial intelligence models to provide predictive analysis across operations and unlock new revenue streams – a powerful incentive for increased collaboration.
There is no single answer to unlocking supply chain collaboration. But a combination of technologies is paving the way. What is critical is that these technologies are used in the correct way, playing to their respective strengths, and helping to drive the next wave of change across our connected world.
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