Dynamic supply chain optimization capabilities and near real-time visibility to detailed supply chain events are key requirements to thriving within the complex and shifting international transportation and global trade environment, according to a new report from Aberdeen Group.

Customer demands for high delivery performance (27 percent to 35 percent) and the increased demand for accurate delivery status and cost information is driving the need to ensure shipment integrity and enhance internal/external communications across the entire supply chain.

The findings are based on surveys in June and July of 181 companies that documented their processes and capabilities in international transportation. The report is entitled "International Transportation: Optimize Cost and Service in a Global Market."

"In the past, many organizations were blind to shipment details within the transportation pipeline. Inbound transportation is particularly troublesome since shipments are often in the hands of trading partners, carriers or suppliers, severely limiting visibility," said
Bob Heaney, senior supply chain analyst at the Aberdeen Group.

Along with demands for new levels of visibility, (45 percent of all respondents indicate they currently use supply chain visibility software) there are new demands from other internal groups to have visibility into this information as well as automated global trade
compliance data. "The key takeaway is that there is a minimum level of visibility, communication, and optimization that is required to balance all these competing pressures," Heaney said. "As we shall see, this balance is critical. Today's leaders, more than ever, have mandates to reduce transportation spending while improving the frequency of delivery without diminishing the accuracy of shipments and customer service."

A complimentary copy of the report is available at: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=6385&camp=2

Source: Aberdeen Group