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Why Data Visualisation is essential in ensuring an efficient supply chain
In today’s fast-paced supply chain environment, where supermarket delivery slots are booked within minute-tight intervals, efficiency and precision are everything.
Suppliers selling into supermarkets know just how critical it is to maintain seamless operations, particularly when managing the exchange of data such as orders, shipping notes, delivery confirmations and invoices.
But what happens when these exchanges don’t go as planned? What if an order confirmation isn’t received or an invoice gets lost? For supermarket supply chains operating on just-in-time stock management, the ripple effects can be devastating –
missed delivery slots, empty shelves, frustrated customers, and spiralling costs.
This is where Data Visualisation becomes an indispensable tool. By enabling suppliers to track, monitor, and resolve issues in real time, Data Visualisation eliminates blind spots, providing the visibility needed to ensure supply chain efficiency.
The problems facing today’s supply chains
Every time data is exchanged – whether it’s an order, a confirmation, a shipping note or an invoice – suppliers must be 100% certain it has been successfully sent and received. Unfortunately, in many supply chain processes, once the data is sent, it disappears into a “black box”. You might not know whether it was delivered, delayed or lost entirely.
This lack of visibility can lead to significant problems:
Late payments:
If invoices aren’t delivered or processed, payments are delayed, affecting cash flow.Missed delivery slots:
Supermarkets rely on just-in-time stock management, with delivery slots scheduled down to the minute. A missed slot creates backlogs and could leave shelves empty.Discrepancies in stock and orders:
Data interconnectivity means you can’t simply resend a missing order. Sending duplicates could result in discrepancies, triggering stock reordering errors and further supply chain disruptions.
In short, the stakes are high. To prevent these issues, suppliers need a way to not only exchange data but also monitor its journey, status, and delivery.
Why Data Visualisation is key to supply chain success
Data Visualisation takes the uncertainty out of supply chain communication by providing a clear, real-time view of all data exchanges. Instead of operating in the dark, suppliers gain full transparency into the status of their documents.
With Data Visualisation, suppliers can:
Track data in real time:
See instantly whether orders, invoices, or confirmations have been sent, delivered, or flagged as undeliverable.Pinpoint issues early:
If data isn’t delivered, visualisation tools help identify where the problem occurred – saving valuable time in resolving it.Ensure smooth operations:
By catching and fixing issues before they escalate, suppliers can maintain seamless supply chain operations.
Data Visualisation also addresses the three key reasons why data exchanges fail:
Inaccurate data at the point of send:
For instance, if a system expects a field to contain only numbers but a letter is mistakenly included, the data exchange will fail.System failures during handshake:
As data is passed between different systems and networks, handshake errors can occur, causing delays or disruptions.Server issues:
Problems with internal servers, such as those hosting the data exchange, can also lead to delivery failures.
Introducing DataTrack: The solution for supply chain transparency
To eliminate the “black box” problem, Transalis DataTrack offers a single platform where suppliers can monitor the entire lifecycle of their supply chain data.
With DataTrack, suppliers gain:
Status tracking:
Know whether documents are delivered, pending, or failed, so you can flag and resolve issues immediatelyRoot cause identification:
If data fails to reach its destination, Transalis’ team is on hand to help identify exactly where in the process the issue occurred -whether it’s at the point of send, during a system handshake, or across interconnected networks.Seamless integration:
DataTrack works with your existing systems, meaning no need for a complete operational overhaul.
With DataTrack, you’re not alone. If an issue arises, Transalis’ experts work alongside you to resolve it quickly and ensure minimal disruption to your supply chain.
How DataTrack benefits suppliers selling to supermarkets
For suppliers selling into supermarkets, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Delivery slots are non-negotiable, and data errors can ripple through the entire supply chain. With DataTrack, suppliers can stay ahead of these challenges:
Avoid missed deliveries:
Track data in real time to prevent issues before they disrupt supermarket operations.Resolve problems faster:
Quickly identify and fix the root cause of errors, minimising delays.Reduce costs and manual effort:
Automating data tracking reduces time spent chasing missing documents, allowing teams to focus on core activities.Strengthen supermarket relationships:
By consistently meeting delivery expectations, suppliers build trust and loyalty with supermarket partners.
A real-world scenario: How DataTrack makes a difference
Imagine this: You’re a supplier managing a critical delivery to a leading supermarket chain.
An order confirmation is sent through your system, but instead of being delivered, it fails due to a formatting issue in the data.
Without a platform like DataTrack, you’d be unaware of the failure until it’s too late – potentially missing the delivery slot and causing disruption to the supermarket’s stock levels.
Take control of your supply chain with DataTrack
In a world where supply chain efficiency can make or break your business, Data Visualisation is no longer optional – it’s essential. With Transalis DataTrack, suppliers gain the visibility, control, and confidence needed to navigate the complexities of supermarket supply chains.
Get in touch
Don’t let blind spots disrupt your operations. Discover how DataTrack can transform your supply chain by contacting us today.
Nathan Roe, Transalis supply chain expert
eDI Software
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