When a consumer goes to purchase a new car, the first thing they’ll notice is the vehicle’s make. Yes, the car may say “Toyota” or “Ford” on the outside, but what’s on the inside? In reality, the car’s components—from the tires to the transmission—are typically manufactured by third-party vendors and suppliers. These and a myriad of other vendor-made parts are assembled in OEM factories all over the world, where the final product comes to life.

Today’s supply chain has become increasingly global, as manufacturers in all industries (not just automotive) rely on various suppliers, plants, and assembly lines across the world to create a consistent, safe, and high-quality product with the lowest overall cost. However, for large, multinational organizations, it becomes difficult to ensure consistency without the ability to closely monitor global supply chain operations across the enterprise.

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