Future of supply chain analytics is visual, multi-sourced, and predictive: Qlik

Qlik, a leader in visual analytics, and Supply Chain Digest (SCDigest), the industry’s premier supply chain management and logistics publication, today announced the findings of a global study, Leveraging Supply Chain Data for Competitive Advantage.  According to the study, the majority of today’s supply chain analytics are “looking in the rearview mirror” when it comes to evaluating performance, but realize the potential value of adopting advanced analytics.

“Despite early stages of maturity, companies see significant potential from improvements in data management and analysis,” said Dan Gilmore, President and Editor in Chief at SCDigest. “Not surprisingly, improved supply chain decision-making tops that list, while similarly becoming more ‘forward looking’ was the number one opportunity identified by respondents from improved data management and analytics.”

More than 40 percent of respondents said they are still almost exclusively backward looking when it comes to data analysis. However the vast majority expressed the belief that predictive analytics would bring value to users enabling them to leverage data at the point of decision. Additionally, more than 88 percent of respondents ranked advanced analytic capabilities as an outstanding or good opportunity for their organization. Respondents also noted that making improvements in data and analytic capabilities was either a high priority or something they were already focused on doing.

The study revealed that while companies are realizing the value and urgency of implementing advanced analytics, few feel that they are where they need to be. When evaluating their own current capabilities generally less than ten percent felt that they had high levels of user system flexibility and empowerment, data visualization and supply chain risk management capabilities.

DynCorp International is a global services provider offering sophisticated aviation, logistics, training, intelligence and operational solutions to commercial, government, and military customers.  “Our employees don’t need another tool that puts a new face on the same old data.  Instead, they need visualizations that are intuitive and allow users to freely explore the underlying data,” said Bill Momsen, Senior Director of Supply Chain Operations at DynCorp International.  “Qlik empowers users to discover new insights, and this enhances DI’s ability to improve the performance and effectiveness of our supply chain.” “What the modern workforce needs is not another tool that puts a new face on the same old data. Instead, they need visualizations that look good, and allow users to search and explore the underlying data,” said Christof Majer, vice president of global partner sales and partner network at Qlik. “QlikView empowers users to unearth new insights, and it will enhance the ability of IBS supply chain software to drive revenue, improve productivity and give decision-makers the ability to be proactive rather than reactive to issues or market changes affecting their businesses.” What the modern workforce needs is not another tool that puts a new face on the same old data. Instead, they need visualizations that look good, and allow users to search and explore the underlying data,” said Christof Majer, vice president of global partner sales and partner network at Qlik. “QlikView empowers users to unearth new insights, and it will enhance the ability of IBS supply chain software to drive revenue, improve productivity and give decision-makers the ability to be proactive rather than reactive to issues or market changes affecting their businesses.”

“As organizations seek to implement more advanced analytics for the supply chain it is imperative that business users see the whole story in their data regardless of where or when they are making decision,” said David Telford, Senior Director, Sector Group an Industry Partner Lead, Qlik. “Qlik helps thousands of organizations use data to manage their supply chain by providing analytics at the point of decision with flexible, self-service solutions available via mobile to help users visualize and explore data for better insights.”

Methodology

The Qlik-commissioned study is a result of a global survey launched by SCDigest of its readership around the subject of how companies are planning to leverage their supply chain data, including the capabilities they have in place now or intend to develop over the next few years. The survey generated about 200 responses, a significant number, with respondents from around the globe. Responses came from individuals in wide variety of roles within the supply chain, both traditional operations-related positions, as well as some from supply chain IT. It also spanned a wide mix of industries, including consumer goods companies, automotive, industrial or aerospace, transportation and logistics, high tech/consumer electronics, retail and more.