Supply chain disruptions are on the rise globally, leading to issues like material shortages and demand spikes. Data silos and disconnected applications limit supply chain visibility and the ability to respond to these disruptions. A digital supply chain command centre can enhance decision-making speed and quality in the supply chain by integrating multiple data sources under a single platform.
Key Features of a Supply Chain Command Centre
A supply chain command centre should not only suggest actions but also learn from both proposed and executed actions to automate decisions where necessary. It should be able to respond quickly to challenging business conditions and disruptions in the supply chain, making the supply chain function a strategic competitive advantage.
Checklist for a Supply Chain Command Centre
- Can your company effortlessly connect internal data from the ERP system, supply chain planning, and logistics systems with external market signals?
- Can internal and external data be loaded in real-time into a data lake for daily analysis?
- Does planning generate exceptions that automatically prioritize re-planning in the case of specific risks?
- Can your company model what-if scenarios to simulate changes in capacity, demand, and supply at strategic, tactical, and operational levels?
- Can supply chain planning automatically evaluate material and capacity constraints, determine root causes, and recommend actions to solve problems?
- Does your company have predefined use cases that combine data, information, and recommendations for rapid cross-functional decision-making?
- Do you have real-time visibility into the demand at risk across your supply chain so you can quickly visualize and resolve it?
- Do you understand your suppliers’ order commitments and the impact of a delivery delay?
- Are you getting alerts about a possible production asset failure via internet-connected sensors?
- Can you compare variability of planned versus actual parts delivery times daily?
By addressing these questions, businesses can ensure their supply chain command centre is equipped to handle the complexities and challenges of today’s supply chain landscape.
