How Supply Chain Visibility Improves Operations: Real Stories

This article is based on C3's White Paper: "Supply Chain Visibility: Illuminating the Path to Responsive, Agile Operations," written by Gregory Braun, Senior Vice President at C3 Solutions.

Having clear visibility into your supply chain helps avoid risks and delays. The following real-world examples show how different companies improved their operations by using visibility tools.

Case 1: Meeting Rules and Staying Accountable

Following regulations is crucial to running a smooth and cost-effective supply chain. If companies don’t follow the rules, they can face fines, shipment delays, and legal problems. Regulations are always changing, like electronic logging for truck drivers in North America, so businesses need tools to stay compliant.

One global consumer goods company ships products worldwide from a U.S. distribution center. Since they import and export a lot, they must ensure compliance with trade regulations while keeping operations running smoothly.

Their challenge? Managing risks without slowing things down. Their solution? A cloud-based system where all partners in the supply chain can collaborate.

They use a scheduling system that helped them achieve the first step of their C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) certification. This system keeps records of shipping details, tracks access to information, and makes audits easier. If there’s an issue, they can fix it immediately.

Suppliers, clients, and carriers can access the system to see real-time updates, delays, or changes. This way, everyone stays informed, reducing confusion and improving efficiency.

Case 2: Making Sites More Productive

Knowing what’s coming in and going out of your warehouse is essential for efficiency. When you have visibility into your operations, you can manage inventory better, prioritize shipments, and handle unexpected problems quickly.

A fruit and vegetable supplier faced long wait times for truck drivers at its distribution center, even though they had an appointment scheduling system. The problem? The scheduler and carrier didn’t have all the necessary information—such as how the trailer was loaded or what type of trailer it was.

To fix this, they connected their scheduling software with their Warehouse Management System (WMS). Now, purchase order details are automatically available, and carriers must provide key information before booking an appointment. The system uses smart rules to pick the best time slots, cutting wait times and improving dock efficiency.

In another case, a manufacturer had a plant in Monterrey, Mexico, and a distribution center in Laredo, Texas—just 180 miles apart. But once shipments left Monterrey, they lost track of them, making it impossible to plan for arrivals.

The reason? Everything was done manually. Handing off shipments between the plant, the carrier, the Customs broker, and the U.S. carrier involved paper documents, leaving the Laredo team guessing about delivery times.

By switching to a cloud-based scheduling system, the Monterrey plant could enter shipment details, upload documents, and assign carriers in one place. The broker could also update the shipment’s status. Now, the Laredo team knows exactly when to expect deliveries, making planning much easier and keeping everyone accountable.

Case 3: Working Together with Supply Chain Partners

Supply chain visibility isn’t just about tracking your own shipments. It also means sharing information with your partners—like suppliers, carriers, and Customs brokers—so everything runs smoothly.

A retailer managing inbound shipments at a seaport used to rely on spreadsheets sent via email to track shipments. They received multiple emails—one for container and PO arrivals, another for Customs clearance, and more for deliveries to distribution centers. This process was slow and inefficient.

To fix it, they gave their Customs broker direct access to their scheduling system. Now, the broker uploads and updates shipment details directly into the system, so the retailer can see real-time updates without waiting for emails. This improved scheduling and cut down on delays.

A third-party logistics provider (3PL) faced a similar challenge. They needed a way for suppliers, carriers, and clients to track shipments in real time while ensuring data security.

By using a cloud-based system, the 3PL allowed each user to see only the information relevant to them. They also integrated purchase order data, improving efficiency and reducing manual work.

In another case, a national retailer used an appointment portal to manage store deliveries. Suppliers received alerts when deliveries arrived, allowing them to track shipments from dispatch to final destination. This reduced late deliveries and ensured shipments arrived as expected.

Why Supply Chain Visibility Matters

These examples show how visibility tools help companies stay compliant, improve productivity, and strengthen collaboration. By using digital solutions, businesses can reduce delays, keep track of shipments, and improve communication with their partners.

Want to learn how visibility tools can help your supply chain? Let’s connect!