6 Best Supply Chain Collaboration Software in 2023

With the peak of globalization and the rise of e-commerce giants, it is becoming increasingly clear that disrupted operations and isolated decision-making can no longer sustain competitive advantage. During the devastating Covid-19 pandemic, a lack of collaboration and resilience was identified as a major weakness in global supply chains. This is why collaboration and integration have become a top priority for supply chain leaders and organizations (Figure 1).

Supply chain collaboration software is changing traditional supply chain models to fit the fast-paced and complex world of global trade.

This article provides a guide to finding the most suitable supply chain collaboration software for your business.

Figure 1. Key supply chain focus areas for global brand investment

Top 6 Supply Chain Collaboration Software Compared

Notes (Table 1):

• Based on the seller’s claims: *
• Not all inclusive: **

How we choose the best suppliers for supply chain collaboration

• Traders compared in this table
  • Offers low or no-code solutions that can be integrated into other supply chain solutions to improve collaboration.
  • Employs 25+ employees.

Public data about sellers

We selected the following criteria for comparison because the data related to them were publicly available and verified:

• Level of customization
• Integration capabilities
• Number of works

Criteria that require a specific evaluation of the buyer

The remaining criteria can be used to make personal assessments, as the answers to these specific criteria will vary from business to business. They are:

• scalability
• Security and Compliance

Transparency Statement

AIMultiple serves a number of emerging tech companies, including UCBOS.

Top 5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Supply Chain Collaboration Software

When it comes to choosing the right vendor for your business, there are several factors to consider.

1. Level of customization

No two businesses are identical and neither are their supply chain needs. A software solution should offer a high degree of customization, allowing you to tailor features to your unique requirements.

Low or no-code supply chain solutions can help you achieve the desired level of customization. With the growing number of citizen developers, it can be useful to consider whether the vendor’s platform has low- or no-code capabilities.

2. Possibilities of integration

The best supply chain collaboration software should integrate with your existing systems – ERP, CRM or any other business management software. This compatibility ensures smooth data transfer, avoiding the need for manual input, which often leads to errors.

3. Number of employees

It is also important that the vendor offers adequate customer support for its solution. Research1 indicates that small and medium-sized businesses, also known as SMBs, can provide a more personalized and tailored service due to the emphasis on customer care.

A minimum company size (ideally 25+ employees) can be considered adequate. It is also important to check their customer service capabilities before making any commitments.

4. Scalability

As your business grows, your software needs to be able to adapt. Look for a platform that can effortlessly scale your business, whether you’re adding new products, entering new markets or expanding your workforce.

5. Security and Compliance

Make sure the software you choose meets industry standards and regulations, such as GDPR compliance, ISO 27001 certification, for example, especially when dealing with sensitive data. Also, check the security features to protect your information from threats and breaches.

What does supply chain collaboration mean?

A supply chain collaboration (SCC) is a strategic alliance of different businesses with the goal of improving efficiency, enhancing customer satisfaction, and increasing profitability. By bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, logistics providers and retailers on a common platform, companies can streamline supply chain operations, reduce errors and predict potential disruptions before they occur.

Supply chain collaboration is not simply about sharing information – it is about creating a synergistic network where all participants can effectively communicate, coordinate and synchronize their efforts to achieve the best results. However, achieving this level of cooperation is easier said than done.

How can sophisticated software help overcome supply chain collaboration challenges?

The complexities of modern supply chains, which span multiple countries and involve multiple stakeholders, pose a significant challenge to effective collaboration. This is where sophisticated collaboration software becomes an invaluable tool.

Here’s how supply chain collaboration tools can help overcome these challenges:

1. Limited visibility

As previous global pandemics have revealed, the lack of visibility into supplier operations is a challenge that supply chain leaders are still working to overcome (Figure 2).

Supplier collaboration is key to improving collaboration. Collaboration tools can provide end-to-end visibility that helps supply chain leaders proactively identify and resolve issues. For example, a car manufacturer can avoid production delays if it knows in advance of component shortages.

Check out these quick reads to learn more about supply chain visibility and improving supply chain visibility software.

Figure 2. Increasing visibility is a top priority for supply chain leaders

2. Ineffective communication

Real-time communication software, such as instant messaging or collaborative platforms, allows individuals and businesses to share information as it is generated. This helps eliminate the time lags often associated with traditional communication methods such as email.

For example, consider the impact of the recent Covid-19 pandemic. When lockdown measures were imposed, many retail businesses were left with excess seasonal inventory because they could not communicate changes in consumer buying behavior to their suppliers quickly enough.

On the other hand, some products, such as personal protective equipment and home exercise equipment, demanded a sudden increase, but suppliers were not informed in time to boost production. With effective collaboration software, these problems can be avoided.

3. Lack of synchronization

The software enables real-time demand forecasting and inventory management, reducing inventory and overstock.

This is especially useful when a sudden surge in demand for a product, such as a popular smartphone, needs to be handled quickly. In this case, the software supplier portal can notify suppliers and other external partners about the increase in demand.

4. Inconsistent data

Centralized data management ensures accuracy and consistency, improving overall operational efficiency. For example, an electronics manufacturer can avoid overproduction caused by inaccurate demand forecasts.

5. Compliance and Security Risks

The software helps manage compliance requirements and security risks. For example, a pharmaceutical company can comply with strict tracking regulations and protect sensitive data by using strict security measures provided by supply chain collaboration solutions.

follow up question

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Shehmir Javaid is an industry analyst at AIMultiple. He has a background in logistics and supply chain management research and enjoys learning about innovative technologies and sustainability. He completed an MSc in Logistics and Operations Management at Cardiff University and a BA in International Business Administration from Cardiff Metropolitan University in the UK.