Frankenthal (Germany), March 28^th 2017 – The availability and quality of data is developing into a key factor in successful supply chain management. That’s the finding of the new AXIT expert paper, based on discussions with managers from the manufacturing, commercial, and logistics sectors.

“Whether data becomes a blessing or a curse depends primarily on the extent to which businesses along the supply chain cooperate in getting the most out of their data,” notes Christian Wendt, Head of Marketing with AXIT, speaking to one issue in the roundtable conversation.

One of the greatest challenges facing businesses today when it comes to data is quality. Digitalization plays a big role here by interlinking data from a wide range of sources. Digitally interconnected processes that draw upon large volumes of validated data can enhance the quality of logistical services by making it possible to determine delivery dates more precisely, use transport capacities more efficiently, and plan personnel deployment in distribution hubs more reliably.

This depends on modern, integrated logistics systems, which make it possible to obtain higher-quality data. This in turn helps provide all supply chain partners with new and more comprehensive information. This information is available in real time to all participating network partners – anytime, anywhere, even on mobile devices.

The paper also explores the obstacles that logistics professionals face on the road to the digital future. “Businesses that wish to digitalize their processes must embrace change and cannot stand on the sidelines too long,” warns Wendt, pointing to the speed with which larger enterprises are already implementing their digitalization strategy.

The AXIT expert paper “Data: Blessing or Curse?” is available for free download at www.axit.de/en/expert-paper-data.