This white paper discusses the challenges of supplier collaboration in complex global supply chains and the need for improved supply chain collaboration to proactively manage changes in supply and demand conditions. The problem is that supply chain partners often use different tools and rely on paper, spreadsheets, or legacy ERP systems, leading to disconnected and opaque versions of the truth. This lack of visibility can result in disruptions to deliveries and processes, particularly when there are multiple downstream suppliers involved. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the global impact of supply chain disruptions, with empty supermarket shelves and shortages of essential supplies. To address these challenges, the paper suggests the need for multitier supply chain collaboration that enables managers and planners to sense and proactively manage changes in supply and demand conditions.
