In our previous article we shared the first of five recommendations that we made in our latest research that has highlighted the disparity in connectivity perceived between terminals and shippers. In this final article we share the four final recommendations to industry that have been made to help bridge the visibility gap between terminals and their customers and ultimately enable better execution.
1. Deploy proven solutions and strive to use 100% of their capabilitiesÂ
Once you have mapped your organisation’s critical needs and identified where the gaps lie, investing in simple but proven solutions to start addressing these should be the first port of call. One of the most simple steps that can be taken is to deploy proven solutions that enable real- time tracking and alerts such as IoT sensors and advanced analytics.
The second part of this is to ensure that the capabilities of these proven solutions are maximised. Pick a vendor that will help you to fully understand the functionality of your technologies and be willing to adapt these as your needs expand. It is also important to invest in your people to fully execute your data strategy.
2. Prioritise flexibility and interoperabilityÂ
Prioritising the integration and interoperability of existing and future solutions should be approached as a fundamental step in the data journey rather than a luxury. Technology providers and vendors should focus on connecting platforms to ensure seamless data exchange and communication. Integrating core systems such as TOS, YMS, and TMS, and taking full advantage of their capabilities is critical for real-time end-to-end supply chain visibility.
3. Better execution leads to better visibility
This research has uncovered that much of the time, poor visibility is due to poor execution, rather than the absence of solutions. Visibility tools can provide great insight into the operations happening in different supply chain nodes, but this visibility often fails to be transmitted across various segments of the supply chain. Implementing visibility systems without considering how they will communicate with systems in other nodes could limit the insight that is achieved. Visibility tools should prioritise collective transparency. To do this they must be integrated with execution platforms. This will help to drive meaningful outcomes that can be measured with advanced analytics tools.
4. Prioritise the three Cs: Collaboration, Coordination, and Change management
Executing on a successful data strategy, to achieve outcomes like enhanced visibility, is about more than just enabling greater data flow between systems. It’s about connecting people. The relationship within an organisation and how this extends to its customers is fundamental to a successful data strategy.
Coordination and collaboration are necessary to capitalise on the benefits of a successful data strategy. Focus on building trust with partners and fostering collaboration. This avoids zero sum game situations and creates business partnerships with win-win outcomes. At the end, better execution solutions will contribute to a better data strategy that can improve areas such as alert systems, ensure better communication, and strengthen the connection between terminal and shipper operations.
For further insight into the areas highlighted in this article, download our thought leadership report, The Great Divide, created in partnership with Kaleris.
