Contributed by FourKites

The first few miles of a supply chain are incredibly complex — though retailers are further down the chain, all the inputs and inbound logistics are crucial to their performance and customer satisfaction. And yet, at best, most retailers have visibility into about 70% of their network of suppliers and transportation partners. As a result, inefficiencies are rampant, disruptions have an outsized impact and employees are left to put out fires, which diminishes morale and increases turnover. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Supply chain professionals will tell you there’s no such thing as perfect, but eliminating what is call the Network Uncertainty Factor can go a long way to keeping shelves stocked and everyone happy.

About FourKites

FourKites is the world’s leading supply chain intelligence platform, delivering real-time visibility and execution for 1500+ companies and third-party logistics firms across 230 countries. Using a patented artificial intelligence to calculate shipment arrival times, FourKites enables customers to lower operating costs, improve on-time performance, and strengthen end-customer relationships. Tracking over 3.2 million shipments each day, FourKites covers all modes, nodes and signals to extend visibility beyond transportation into yards, warehouses, stores and more. The platform provides a single view of your entire supply chain and is optimized for mobile, equipped with market-leading end-to-end security.

To learn more, visit fourkites.com.