Managing a supply chain is a complex task which has only grown more intricate in recent years due to globalization, a volatile geo-political landscape, technological advancements, and the increasing demands of consumers. 

The problem of modern slavery — coercing labor from ethnic minorities and economically disadvantaged adults and children — has lurked in global supply chains for decades. But trade laws in recent years have made it crucial for businesses to address this risk now in their supply chains — or face serious consequences.

Technological advancements like RFID and GPS have revolutionized supply chain management, providing visibility and rapid response capabilities, but also increasing risks such as cyber threats. A combination of physical barriers, technological solutions, and procedural controls creates redundancies that enhance resilience against threats like theft and tampering. 

In today's fast-paced logistics landscape, actionable data is critical to meet the demands of consumers' expectations. Navigating the complexities of data management amid labor shortages, volatility, and evolving consumer behavior poses significant challenges.

Why it's more important than ever for manufacturers and distributors to automate their supply chains, or pay the high costs associated with not going digital.

Transportation teams have a mandate to keep costs low without sacrificing performance. Lowering transportation costs is no longer as simple as selecting the cheapest provider on a cost per mile basis. 

In this ebook, Dave Nelson, principal at value chain optimization firm River Rock Advisors discusses the use of customer relationship management (CRM) processes and tools to pilot a precision-based, in-depth use of data to forecast demand while giving leaders greater insight into their customer base.