After the pandemic highlighted some inefficiencies in the global supply chain Deloitte conducted a survey of supply chain leaders to garner information that can be turned into strategies on how companies can redefine how “they connect and collaborate across the transportation ecosystem.”
The report, “Creating a competitive supply chain advantage through connected communities,” outlines success factors that can help meet the increased demand that will continue
Key takeaways include:
- Data-sharing is a top investment. Fragmentation is among the biggest hurdles across the global movement of goods today. However, data-sharing is gaining momentum as 58% of retailers and manufacturers are already implementing these solutions, while another 32% plan to invest in the future.
- In it together. Enabling cooperative operating models is critical to the industry because growing real-time ecosystem connectivity can help create new collaborative, transparent and technology-driven ways to do business. In fact, there’s been nearly $14 billion in global funding for crowd-sourced delivery platforms in last-mile delivery since 2011.
- Cooperation with partners is key. 47% of survey respondents said they are working in tandem with supply chain partners to improve cybersecurity standards. Deloitte predicts that this collaboration towards advancing connectivity solutions will continue as global shippers take a more inclusive approach to innovation with key industry partners.
In order to create a more connected community, the report offers these five steps.
1. Develop and participate in new data-sharing platforms
2. Leverage cloud solutions to provide on-ramps to partner connectivity (e.g., cloud-based analytics platforms)
3. Participate in asset-sharing partnerships and flexible talent models
4. Collaborate and innovate with key partners to realize the full potential of advanced technologies
5. Automate physical work and digital processes/transactions at partner connection points