{"id":8443,"date":"2021-08-02T13:58:17","date_gmt":"2021-08-02T17:58:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=8443"},"modified":"2026-02-12T04:39:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T09:39:34","slug":"supply-chain-visibility-for-process-manufacturing-traceability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/supply-chain-visibility-for-process-manufacturing-traceability\/","title":{"rendered":"The secret sauce of supply chain visibility for process manufacturing\u2014traceability"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTechnology & Innovation<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe secret sauce of supply chain visibility for process manufacturing\u2014traceability\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Traci\t\t\t\tTraci Baskin<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A new report from IDC says that 96% of process manufacturers will be shifting their focus to increasing visibility, with 57% drilling down into the end-to-end supply chain<\/a> specifically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Process manufacturers include industries like food and beverage, plastics, chemicals, metals, and paper markets. They need to focus on supply chain improvements more than ever before in response to global pressures and the challenges raised by the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason? It’s all about strengthening themselves against weak spots in the supply chain exposed by the pandemic,<\/a> not to mention environmental changes, trade tensions, regulation, and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lets dig deeper into the statistics from this report, which features 140 medium to large-sized organizations, indicating that many process manufacturers have room for improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. 63% believe that a lack of supply chain visibility and flexibility will cause significant issues in the future if not addressed appropriately<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. 43% say that supply chain visibility is a focus from a supply chain risk management perspective compared to only 35% in 2018.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    End-to-End Traceability in Process Manufacturing<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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    Global supply chain are facing unprecedented pressures. Download this IDC report to learn why automating traceability is critical now more than ever.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDownload now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    What does this mean?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    It means that you need to improve the tracking of the materials and the products from the manufacturer to their final destination. It’s about improving and strengthening the supply chain\u2014which may mean making data better available to all stakeholders, including customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To help, here are takeaways when thinking about supply chain visibility for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Traceability and supply chain visibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Let’s start with the basics. First, it is traceability which is the secret sauce to superior supply chain visibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Traceability is about tracking and tracing your supply chain\u2014identifying all relevant data for the raw materials used to produce and distribute finished products to their final destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tracking is about the progression of products from one sequence to the next and how they move through the manufacturing process. Through data, you can see where products are, who’s worked on them, and how long until they’re finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tracing is more about identifying products through their records. In addition, it supports supply chain visibility, as data such as certifications of origin and purchase order numbers help you link products to their sources in the supply chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here’s the thing about traceability. It only works when:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1) Information from manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors is effectively recorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2) The systems covering different process steps are connected and integrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The benefits of automation for process manufacturers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    It is here where automation can be your new best friend. Automating traceability to track and trace raw materials allows you to track materials throughout the production process, save time, and reduce waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Unfortunately, there is a gap between what process manufacturers should have and what they do have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n