It used to be that end-to-end supply chain visibility was a luxury. Organizations could get by with a basic understanding of how products and materials were transported, diving deeper into their supply chains only when there was an issue that required more focus.
These days, though, full visibility into an organization’s supply chain is a necessity. Organizations have so much information they can access across their operations that they are missing opportunities if they aren’t tracking every piece of data that they can. Many organizations have set up control towers to ensure they don’t miss a beat. Here’s a look at how those organizations operate.
What is a control tower?
A control tower is a centralized location where organizations can track all of their information. It provides in one place all of the information an organization needs in order to make critical decisions in regard to their supply chains.
Much like the control tower at an airport, it’s a way of bringing organization to a potentially chaotic situation. The control tower allows decision-makers to keep tabs on what’s coming in or going out, whether those comings and goings are happening on time, and making sure everything is operating at peak efficiency.
What kind of data do control towers use?
A control tower offers visibility into all aspects of a supply chain operation. That includes everything from warehouses to the many different suppliers peppered throughout the globe to the Internet of Things. Using various types of sensors, IoT provides real-time data about where a package is as it makes its way to a customer, or the temperature inside a truck as sensitive materials like food or medical supplies are shipped from place to place.
Without having to check multiple sources, a control tower allows an organization to look at all of these types of data and make important decisions more quickly. This allows stakeholders to step in immediately when there is an issue, such as a temperature change that might spoil goods.
Often, real-time visibility isn’t enough – organizations need to be one step ahead with predictive data. A control tower can incorporate artificial intelligence, using all of the data at its disposal to anticipate any issues that might pop up. This can help organizations perform preventative maintenance on a fleet of trucks, for example, or it can help determine more efficient routes based on past weather or traffic trends.
Why use an analytics solution?
The most important aspect of a control tower is the ability to integrate data from different sources. In the supply chain industry, those sources could be many and varied. Whether your information is displayed as part of a control tower or not, it is important to have an analytics solution, such as Dimensional Insight’s Diver Platform, that can bring together all kinds of data while maintaining the integrity of that data.
Everyone knows by now that AI is only as good as the data it is built upon. Without that first step of ensuring trustworthy data, the rest of the functions of that data are worthless. The best analytics solutions can bring the real-time data together with all past data to make predictions that can keep an organization ahead of the competition.
It is important for an organization to have this kind of visibility into its supply chain for business reasons. One misstep along the way can result in financial losses, and information about every part of the supply chain can help operational efficiency. It is also important in terms of regulations and ethical practices. Organizations can keep track of every supplier and ensure that their goals align with the overall goals of the company.
Control towers are critical to success at an airport. In the supply chain industry, it’s a fancy buzzword. It doesn’t matter if you call it a control tower or a dynamic dashboard – what matters is how you make sense of your data. The key is visibility throughout your supply chain operation, and with the right tools and the right people, you can achieve that goal.
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