In the intricate world of global supply chains, the physical movement of goods often overshadows the crucial role of information. Yet, every shipment, every delivery, and every transaction is underpinned by a complex web of data. From purchase orders to shipping documents, the flow of information ensures that goods reach their destinations on time and in the right condition. As the world becomes increasingly digital, the quality of this information is paramount.
Global supply chains are renowned for their ability to move physical goods across vast distances. However, the true enabler behind this is information. Every movement is guided by data created, shared, and consumed by multiple parties. When ordering goods from suppliers, businesses rely on purchase orders, confirmations, updates, and various shipping and receiving documents. This information flow is critical for the smooth operation of supply chains.
Over the past few decades, the world has undergone a significant digital transformation. Most transactions now occur within sophisticated IT systems, capturing and curating vast amounts of data. Even when humans input this data, it is the quality of this information that dictates the efficiency of supply chain operations. Millions of people base their daily decisions on the information available to them, and the accuracy of these decisions directly impacts the global supply chain's efficiency.
Imagine a scenario where an order confirmation from a supplier cannot be matched with the original order due to a simple typo. This minor error can have a cascading effect: the factory might not receive the necessary raw materials, the production team might miss their targets, and the sales team might lack the inventory to fulfill customer orders. In a world governed by information, data quality is of paramount importance. Yet, many supply chain systems assume high data quality, leaving the responsibility to overburdened operators to manually ensure accuracy. This approach is fraught with challenges and often falls short.
Ensuring high data quality is a complex and demanding task. It begins with measuring and monitoring quality, which requires the continuous collection of data—a formidable challenge in itself. Next, the data must be normalized and synchronized to ensure consistency across the board. Finally, data needs to be contextualized; what may appear correct in isolation might be entirely incorrect in the broader context of a transaction. For example, a typo in a shipment ID can prevent the accurate tracking of a delivery, leading to significant operational disruptions.
The global supply chain relies heavily on data. For it to function effectively, this data must be of high quality. Systems need to measure data quality and present these measures in a user-friendly manner, enabling actionable insights. Providing users with accurate, contextual information fosters trust and supports their daily decision-making processes. Without quality data, there is no trust, and without trust, business processes revert to being driven by intuition rather than data. Operating with poor data quality is akin to driving with blinders on—decisions are made in the dark, leading to inefficiencies and errors.
Each supply chain can include dozens of entities, each with its own systems and processes, leading to fragmented data. The level of technological maturity varies between entities; some suppliers have cutting-edge technology stacks, while others use Excel documents stored on personal computers. Centralizing and synchronizing data is difficult due to these varying levels of maturity. Some entities can connect via API, while others can only email flat-files. This results in issues with the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of data, creating gaps in decision support and decision automation.
The fragmentation of data leads to several negative consequences. A lack of timely, accurate data forces teams to make gut-feel decisions or rely on outdated methods. Poor data quality results in delayed decisions, constant firefighting, and increased operational risk. It also contributes to operational inefficiencies and employee stress.
UnitySCM offers a flexible data sourcing approach, unlocking data from various sources regardless of their maturity. We collect data via APIs, SFTP, manual uploads, and email attachments. Our platform actively tracks data, reconciles it, and surfaces any issues promptly for resolution. Our configurable data model accommodates complex logic to associate disparate data sources, addressing unique quirks common to supply chain operations.
Unity ensures data quality through several steps: validating raw carrier milestones, consolidating milestones with identical meanings, filtering out erroneous data, and translating inconsistent descriptions into a unified language. We also record and surface the source of key data points, track changes to key fields, and provide comprehensive data dashboards for our customers to measure data completeness, ETA accuracy, and latency. These insights help customers achieve desired business outcomes, such as reducing detention and demurrage costs, improving transportation planning, and enhancing carrier performance management.
UnitySCM provides the high-quality data required to help our customers achieve their desired business outcomes. Examples include eliminating detention and demurrage costs, improving transportation planning to balance service and costs, renegotiating free days on carrier agreements, improving data-driven carrier performance management, and proactively identifying exceptions to manage risk. Our solutions enable businesses to navigate the complexities of the modern supply chain landscape with confidence and precision.
Achieving data quality excellence is a continuous journey. It is essential to identify optimal data quality levels for key data points specific to each business objective. Common KPIs for tracking data quality include data completeness, consistency, timeliness, accuracy, and integrity. By continuously measuring current data quality and comparing it to baseline levels, organizations can make informed, effective data-driven decisions.
In conclusion, the intricate dance of global supply chains is orchestrated not just by the movement of goods but by the flow of information. As the world becomes more digital, the quality of this information becomes increasingly critical. Ensuring data quality is a complex but essential task, requiring sophisticated systems and technologies. UnitySCM is at the forefront of this transformation, offering solutions that ensure high-quality data, support data-driven decision-making, and enhance the overall efficiency of global supply chains. By prioritizing accurate data, businesses can navigate the complexities of the modern supply chain landscape with confidence and precision.
