cautions , visibility along the supply chain is essential . “ It ’ s having the ability to see that something has affected the plan , and having the ability to adjust , as well as the visibility across your supply chain and business to detect or predict obstacles .” He also notes that , throughout the planning of Fyre Festival “ there was very little leveraging of technology . Everything seemed to be conducted via email . There was none of the necessary visibility .” SAP ’ s integrated business tools , Howells is certain , could have alleviated a great deal of the logistical problems with the festival . “ They ’ d need an integrated business planning tool , to be able to plan and project what is required , when it ’ s required , and be able to replan as things change .”
Looking to the future , Howells cautions “ social media gives companies the ability to create a perception of being much bigger , organized or capable than they are in some cases . You have to have processes that deliver on your promises . That ’ s the key . You will get found out if you cannot deliver what the customer is expecting .” Whether in the event planning space , digital marketing , or any other vertical , Howells is hopeful that all event organisers and logistics coordinators , at every point on the supply chain , have learned the lessons of Fyre Festival : plan effectively , leverage technology , budget transparently and – perhaps most importantly – don ’ t promise the world and deliver a cheese sandwich in a hurricane tent .
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