Managing fragmented data remains a supply chain challenge, IBM research finds

Filed in archive Research on February 28, 2009

A Global Supply Chain study by IBM, based on 400 interviews in 25 countries, reveals that 70 percent say their number one challenge is overwhelming and fragmented data, as well as a lack of ability to make sense out of the information. However fixing this "visibility" problem is low on action plans because it is costly, difficult, silos are worse than ever and respondents say they are just too busy.

The study shows the greatest opportunity for these executives are smart devices and integrated ERP systems that capture real time visibility: forecasts/orders, schedules/commitments, pipeline inventory, and shipment lifecycle status. Automating real-time detection with smart devices increases flexibility, speed and accuracy to promote better decision-making.

The Global Supply Chain study, titled The Smarter Supply Chain of the Future, was developed by IBM Global Business Services' Supply Chain Management Practice in conjunction with the IBM Institute for Business Value, which develops fact-based strategic insights for senior business executives. Supply chain executives in 29 industries participated in structured interviews and candidly talked about their most serious challenges.