With globalization at its peak and the rise of e-commerce giants, it’s become increasingly clear that siloed operations and isolated decision-making can no longer sustain competitive advantage.
During the disruptive Covid-19 Pandemic, lack of collaboration and resilience were identified as the major weaknesses of global supply chains. This is why collaboration and integration have become a top priority for supply chain leaders and organizations (Figure 1).
Supply chain collaboration software reshapes traditional supply chain models to adapt to the fast-paced and complex world of global commerce.
This article offers a guide to finding the most suitable supply chain collaboration software for your business.
Top 6 supply chain collaboration software compared
| Vendor | Customization | Integrations to SCM platforms*, ** | # of employees on Linkedin as of April 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
Pegasystems | Low code | – SAP | 5,803 |
Appian | Low code | – SAP | 2,271 |
OutSystems | Low code | – SAP | 1,960 |
Mendix | Low code | – SAP | 1,284 |
UCBOS | No code | – SAP | 53 |
Regrello | No code | – Oracle | 38 |
Notes (Table 1):
- Based on vendor claims: *
- Not comprehensive: **
To leverage no-code supply chain software in your business to facilitate data sharing, check out our data-driven list of no-code supply chain software to find the right fit.
How we choose the top supply chain collaboration vendors
- The vendors compared in this table
- offer low or no-code solutions that can be integrated into other supply chain solutions to help improve collaboration.
- employ 25+ employees.
Public data on vendors
We selected the following criteria for the comparison because the data related to them was publicly available and verifiable:
- Level of customization
- Integrations capabilities
- Number of employees
Criteria that require buyer-specific assessment
The remaining criteria can be used to conduct personal evaluations since, for that specific criteria, the answers would differ from business to business. These are:
- Scalability
- Security and Compliance
Top 5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Supply Chain Collaboration Software
When it comes to choosing the right vendor for your business, several factors should be taken into consideration.
1. Level of Customization
No two businesses are identical, and neither are their supply chain needs. A software solution should offer a high degree of customization, allowing you to tailor features according to your unique requirements.
Low or no-code supply chain solutions can help achieve the desired level of customization. With the growing number of citizen developers, it can be beneficial to consider if the vendor’s platform has low or no-code capabilities.
2. Integration Capabilities
The best supply chain collaboration software should seamlessly integrate with your existing systems—ERP, CRM, or any other business management software. This compatibility ensures smooth data transfer, avoiding the need for manual input that often leads to errors.
3. Number of Employees
It is also important that the vendor offers adequate customer support for its solution. Research1 indicates that small to medium-sized businesses, also known as SMBs, may provide a more individualized and tailored service due to their emphasis on prioritizing customer care.
A minimum company size (ideally 25+ employees) can be considered adequate. It is also important to test their customer service capabilities before making any commitments.
4. Scalability
As your business grows, your software should be able to adapt. Look for a platform that can effortlessly scale with your business, whether you’re adding new products, entering new markets, or increasing your workforce.
5. Security and compliance
Ensure your chosen software complies with industry standards and regulations such as GDPR compliance, ISO 27001 certification, e.g., especially when dealing with sensitive data. Also, check the security features to protect your information from threats and breaches.
What does supply chain collaboration mean?
Supply chain collaboration (SCC) is the strategic alliance of different businesses with the common goal of improving efficiency, enhancing customer satisfaction, and driving profitability. By uniting manufacturers, suppliers, logistics providers, and retailers in a shared platform, companies can streamline supply chain operations, reduce errors, and predict potential disruptions before they occur.
Supply chain collaboration isn’t simply about sharing information—it’s about creating a synergistic network where all participants can effectively communicate, coordinate, and synchronize their efforts to achieve the best outcomes. However, achieving this level of collaboration is easier said than done.
How can sophisticated software help overcome supply chain collaboration challenges?
The complexities of modern supply chains—extending across multiple countries and involving numerous stakeholders—pose a considerable challenge to effective collaboration. This is where sophisticated collaboration software becomes an invaluable tool.
Here is how supply chain collaboration tools can help overcome challenges:
1. Limited visibility
As identified by the previous global Pandemic, lack of visibility into supplier operations is a challenge that supply chain leaders are still working to overcome (Figure 2).
Supplier collaboration is the key to improving collaboration. Collaboration tools can provide end-to-end visibility, helping supply chain leaders identify and address issues proactively. For example, a car manufacturer can prevent production disruption by being aware of component shortages in advance.
Check out these quick reads to learn more about improving supply chain visibility and supply chain visibility software.
2. Ineffective communication
Real-time communication software, like instant messaging or collaborative platforms, allows individuals and businesses to share information as it arises. This helps eliminate time lags often associated with traditional communication methods such as emails.
Consider the impact of the recent Covid-19 Pandemic as an example. When lockdown measures were imposed, many retail businesses were left with a surplus of seasonal stock because they couldn’t communicate changes in customer purchasing behavior quickly enough to their suppliers.
On the other hand, certain products, like personal protective equipment and home workout gear, saw a sudden surge in demand, yet suppliers were not informed in time to ramp up production. With effective collaboration software, these issues can be avoided.
3. Lack of synchronization
The software allows for real-time demand forecasting and inventory management, reducing stockouts and overstocks.
This is especially useful when a sudden demand spike for a product, such as a popular smartphone, needs to be addressed quickly. In this case, the software’s supplier portal can inform suppliers and other external partners of the demand surge.
4. Inconsistent data
Centralized data management ensures accuracy and consistency, improving overall operational efficiency. For instance, an electronics manufacturer can avoid overproduction caused by inaccurate demand forecasts.
5. Compliance and security risks
The software helps manage compliance requirements and security risks. For example, a pharmaceutical company can meet strict tracking regulations and protect sensitive data using robust security measures provided by supply chain collaboration solutions.
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