Lone hackers, rogue nations and cybercrime syndicates have a big agenda in common: Alone or collectively, they can bring the global supply chain to its knees.

To help safeguard their supply chains against future unpredictable events, organizations can implement a master data management (MDM) strategy as a foundation for strong risk mitigation during times of crisis.

Retailers and suppliers face multiple headwinds, but they should be looking at the situation as an opportunity to cut costs and streamline supply chains, says Jason Murray, chief executive officer of Shipium.

Because global modern supply chains are incredibly complex, involving a vast network of manufacturing and logistics personnel, even simple mistakes can result in lengthy delays.

Quality assurance management no longer needs to convince the C-suite of its contribution to the bottom line, says Lusi Zheng, senior director of quality assurance, with Gartner.

The focus by companies on fulfilling basic orders during the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed a more insidious problem to come to a head: the influx of gray-market products into the supply chain.

Supply chains consume resources on a large scale, making decarbonization an enormous priority.

Despite the challenges higher fuel costs bring to industries, few companies have made significant efforts to address the issue. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate the worst effects of the cost burden.

Companies seeking to decarbonize their supply chains will never reach that goal without the help of suppliers over which they assert no direct control.

Amid strained supply chains, heightened consumer demand, increased regulatory scrutiny and looming economic factors, companies must monitor for changes and implement clear procedures to ensure product safety in today’s environment.