Disruptions to global supply chains aren't going away anytime soon. Jason Tham, chief executive officer with Nulogy, explains how companies are addressing the problem with technology.

Industries across the board — consumer brands, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, home and beauty — are all facing the same problem: how to solve for a lack of visibility across their supply chains. “They’re looking for that next S-curve,” says Tham.

Technology through automation promises to equip companies with the ability of supply chain partners to collaborate and share data, both within organizations and externally. The effort encompasses manufacturers, packagers, distributors, third-party logistics providers and many others that contribute to the greater supply chain, as they seek visibility “to derive better efficiencies and mutual benefits.” They’re also intent on breaking out of the organizational silos that have characterized so many companies, in favor of a “multi-enterprise” approach to supply chain management.

Such efforts are more vital than ever, given the rising uncertainty caused by a “constant plethora of disruptions,” including wars, inflation and geopolitical tensions. The key, says Tham, isn’t to be able to forecast such events — that’s a hopeless task. Instead, companies should seek to acquire the level of agility that’s allows them to adjust to whatever might occur. “Agility beats forecasting any day,” he says.

Looking at the next five years, Tham sees companies improving their ability to deal with disruptions in a collaborative manner. Technology can help to integrate functions across organizations, but what’s also needed is a new mindset that prioritizes a holistic view of product as it moves through the supply chain. “Better collaboration, synchronization, working with external supply chain partners: That’s where the next S-curve is,” Tham says.