SUPPLY CHAIN
“ As compared with domestic distribution management , global trade management introduces the complexities of multiple languages , time zones , currencies , and modes of transport ,” he added . “ Further , there can be more than a dozen parties involved in a single international shipment . The laws governing global trade are numerous , highly complex , and ever-changing .”
The average end-to-end shipment can routinely involve up to 25 distinct organisations , around 100 people , and hundreds of interactions and data exchanges . In complex global trade , where flexibility and agility is key , minimising or eliminating errors is critical . Just a small miscalculation or disruption can upset this delicate balance , Ed Jennings , CEO of Quickbase says : “ When there ’ s any kind of disruption to a supply chain – big or small – it ’ s critical to have access to all data in real-time to make decisions .”
GTM and the Semiconductor Shortage The disrupted global flow and shortage of semiconductor chips has come to epitomise the need for GTM . One of the world ’ s most valuable and sought-after manufacturing components , used in everything from mobile devices to cancer research equipment and military hardware , it is a truly global commodity – designed on one continent , manufactured on another , installed in an assembly line 1000 miles away , and distributed around the world – and as such encapsulates each and every one of these challenges .
Supplyframe ’ s latest Commodity Intelligence Quarterly report indicates that shortages are expected to persist well into the first quarter of 2023 , at a minimum . Lead times have grown to 52 weeks-plus in extreme cases , according to the report ,
“ You need supply chain and procurement professionals in the conversation earlier , and more involved ”
SUNDAR KAMAK HEAD OF MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS , IVALUA supplychaindigital . com 63