Supply chain orchestration considers the number of systems, processes and people that must operate in tandem to create success. It involves the synchronized, real-time evaluation of all core planning and execution functions.
Benefits of Supply Chain Orchestration
- Keeps all stakeholders across the end-to-end value chain in sync with business processes, KPIs and overarching objectives.
- Eliminates manual processes and other critical gaps not addressed by current digital applications.
- Reduces inefficiencies such as multiple planning siloes or disparate planning processes.
- Generates dynamic solutions through scenario planning, inventory management and supply-demand tracking.
- Simulate the disruptive impact on inbound raw materials, outbound shipments and the overall supplier network.
- Avoids process decay to ensure that results are compounded and scaled over time.
Why Utilize Supply Chain Orchestration?
In today’s increasingly disruptive environment, supply chain leaders need to manage three elements at once: data, automation and collaboration. OIA Global 4PL intertwines all three, creating a single source of truth that optimizes total network efficiencies and gives companies the intelligence needed to make better decisions.
Supply chain orchestration is a transformational initiative that can dramatically improve an organization’s ability to integrate planning and execution processes. It drives network unity and maximizes the planning of network flows, as well as the subsequent utilization of available resources like equipment, assets and labor.
Digitization Enables Orchestration
All the prerequisite data needed for agile orchestration resides somewhere, but it must be properly aggregated and digested so your business can make informed decisions with it. Digital tools can extract data across different systems and transform it into a single source of truth, but breaking digital siloes and moving toward a holistic vision is a significant change for many organizations.
A centralized data repository provides users with a single, real-time, consolidated view of their transportation operations and costs. Additionally, a common system better evaluates the supply chain network’s requirements and cost tradeoffs. Think of data pipelines that blend information from legacy systems, PDFs, emails and spreadsheets into a singular experience.
Enhanced digitization allows companies to address gaps between their supply chain’s planning and execution processes and employed technologies. The goal is to automate the mundane and get the appropriate data to the right people and within the right context, allowing them to make informed decisions proactively. As a result, businesses become more efficient, interconnected and responsive to pressing demands.
Questions to Ask Yourself
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Do we have strategic contingency plans in place to manage disruption?
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What advanced technologies are we using to orchestrate the end-to-end supply chain?
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How could a 4PL service provider impact business systems unification, network-wide collaboration or process convergence?
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Can we monitor supply and demand in real time? Can we react with maximum agility?
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How can a 4PL service provider not only anticipate the next disruption, but also maximize opportunities amidst disruption?
Author
Joris Nijman
