Supply chain visibility is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. In 2025, more than 76% of European shippers experienced supply chain disruptions, underscoring the urgent need for real-time transparency and robust tracking solutions. Yet, despite this demand, only 6% of companies worldwide claim to have achieved full end-to-end supply chain visibility, according to the GEODIS Supply Chain Worldwide Survey.
As supply chains become more complex and customer expectations rise, the ability to track and monitor every step of the journey, from raw materials to final delivery, is essential for efficiency and trust.
What is Supply Chain Visibility?
Supply chain visibility is the capability to track and monitor products, materials, and information as they move through every stage of the supply chain—from raw material sourcing and manufacturing to distribution and final delivery to the customer.
This end-to-end transparency allows organizations to access real-time data on inventory levels, shipment status, production schedules, and warehouse management, enabling them to make informed decisions, quickly respond to disruptions, and optimize operations.
How to improve supply chain visibility?
The ways to improve supply chain visibility include the following:
1. Map and analyze your supply chain
Start by mapping your entire supply chain network, including suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and customers. This comprehensive overview helps identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas where visibility is lacking. By understanding the flow of goods and information, you can pinpoint where disruptions or delays are most likely to occur and develop targeted solutions.
2. Leverage data analytics and real-time tracking
Implement advanced data analytics tools to collect, process, and analyze information from every stage of the supply chain. Real-time tracking technologies, such as IoT devices and RFID tags, provide up-to-the-minute updates on inventory levels, shipments, and production status. These insights enable proactive decision-making and rapid response to potential disruptions.
3. Upgrade and integrate technology
Modernize your supply chain systems by adopting integrated platforms like order management software, warehouse management systems, and cloud-based solutions. Upgrading from legacy or disconnected systems to unified digital platforms ensures seamless data sharing and end-to-end visibility.
Technologies such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) can automate data exchange and provide instant insights into inventory and order status.
4. Enhance collaboration and communication
Foster open, frequent communication with suppliers, logistics partners, and internal teams. Sharing relevant data, forecasts, and updates builds trust and transparency, making it easier to coordinate activities and address issues quickly.
Collaborative platforms and regular meetings can help align expectations and improve responsiveness throughout the supply chain.
5. Set clear goals
Define specific objectives for your visibility initiatives, such as reducing lead times, minimizing stockouts, or improving customer satisfaction. Regularly review and refine your processes based on data-driven insights and feedback from stakeholders. Continuous improvement ensures your supply chain remains agile and responsive to changing market conditions.
Differences between supply chain visibility and supply chain transparency
(A) Supply chain visibility
- Definition: Visibility refers to a company’s ability to see, track, and monitor activities, processes, and materials as they move through every stage of the supply chain—from raw material sourcing to final delivery.
- Focus: It is about having access to real-time data and insights into operations such as inventory levels, shipment status, production schedules, and compliance metrics.
- Goal: The main objective is internal awareness and control, enabling companies to make informed decisions, anticipate disruptions, and optimize logistics.
(B) Supply chain transparency
- Definition: Transparency is about what a company does with the information it gains from visibility, specifically, how it communicates and shares that information with external stakeholders such as customers, regulators, and the public.
- Focus: Transparency involves open disclosure of supply chain practices, including sourcing, labor conditions, environmental impact, and ethical standards.
- Goal: The aim is to build trust, ensure accountability, and demonstrate social responsibility by making supply chain information accessible and verifiable to others.
How does supply chain visibility work?
Supply chain visibility works by collecting, integrating, and analyzing data from every stage of the supply chain—from raw material sourcing to final delivery—so that all stakeholders have an accurate, real-time view of product movements and status.
Here’s how it typically functions:
- Data collection:
Visibility begins with gathering data from various sources such as onboard telematics in trucks, GPS devices, RFID tags, barcode scanners, sensors (for temperature, humidity, etc.), and manual data entry points. These sources provide information on location, condition, and status of goods as they move through the supply chain.
- Data integration:
The collected data is then consolidated and shared across systems and partners. This integration allows for a unified view, eliminating blind spots, and enabling real-time tracking of shipments, inventory, and production schedules.
- Real-time tracking and monitoring:
Technologies like GPS, IoT sensors, and RFID enable companies to monitor the exact location and condition of goods at any point in time. This helps in quickly identifying delays, disruptions, or quality issues.
- Analytics and reporting:
The integrated data is analyzed to generate actionable insights. Dashboards and reporting tools provide metrics such as estimated time of arrival (ETA), inventory levels, and potential bottlenecks, supporting better decision-making and proactive management.
- Collaboration and communication:
Supply chain visibility platforms facilitate communication among all stakeholders—suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and customers—ensuring everyone has access to the same information and can respond quickly to changes or disruptions.
- Technology platforms:
Specialized supply chain visibility software platforms are designed to automate data collection, integration, and reporting, making it easier for businesses to manage complex supply chains and respond to dynamic market demands.
Benefits of supply chain visibility
Supply chain visibility offers numerous advantages that help businesses operate more efficiently, manage risks, and build trust with customers and partners. Here are the key benefits:
- Improved risk management: Real-time tracking and monitoring enable companies to identify potential disruptions or risks early, allowing for proactive mitigation and minimizing the impact on operations.
- Enhanced efficiency and cost reduction: By providing insights into every link of the supply chain, visibility helps companies streamline processes, eliminate bottlenecks, reduce waste, and lower operational costs.
- Better inventory management: Visibility allows businesses to monitor inventory levels in real time, reducing the risk of overstocking or stockouts, and optimizing their working capital.
- Faster response to problems: With up-to-date data, companies can quickly detect and resolve issues, ensuring continuity and minimizing delays.
- Increased customer satisfaction: Real-time tracking and accurate delivery information enable businesses to meet customer expectations consistently, boosting satisfaction and loyalty.
- Compliance and traceability: Visibility supports regulatory compliance and ethical sourcing by tracking the origin and journey of products, which is increasingly important for consumers and regulators.
- Sustainability and social responsibility: Insights into sourcing and logistics help companies monitor and manage their environmental and social impact, supporting sustainability initiatives.
- Better decision-making: Access to comprehensive data enables informed, data-driven decisions regarding production, inventory, and supply chain strategy.
- Collaboration and alignment: Visibility fosters stronger relationships and collaboration among suppliers, logistics providers, and partners, leading to more coordinated and efficient operations.
Conclusion
Supply chain visibility is a critical enabler for modern businesses, providing real-time insights into the movement of goods, inventory levels, and supplier performance across the entire supply chain. By leveraging advanced technologies such as IoT, blockchain, and data analytics, companies can proactively identify risks, optimize operations, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.
Enhanced visibility fosters faster decision-making, minimizes delays, and supports compliance and sustainability efforts, ultimately strengthening supply chain resilience and competitive advantage. In an increasingly complex and globalized market, achieving comprehensive supply chain visibility is essential for businesses to operate efficiently, respond agilely to disruptions, and deliver superior value to customers.
