The Complete Guide to Supply Chain Visibility Platforms

What is Supply Chain Visibility?

Supply Chain Visibility (SCV) platforms provide real-time tracking and status information for goods moving through global supply chains. These platforms aggregate data from carriers, ports, terminals, and IoT devices to create a unified view of shipments across all transportation modes—ocean, air, rail, and truck.

Modern visibility platforms go beyond simple tracking to include predictive ETAs, exception management, and analytics that enable proactive supply chain management rather than reactive firefighting.

Types of Supply Chain Visibility Platforms

Visibility platforms differ based on their mode coverage and specialization:

Multimodal Visibility Platforms

End-to-end visibility solutions tracking shipments across all transportation modes from origin to destination. Key capabilities include unified tracking across ocean, air, rail, and truck shipments, global carrier network integrations spanning thousands of carriers, cross-border visibility through customs and international handoffs, predictive ETAs using machine learning across all modes, control tower dashboards with exception management, IoT and telematics integration for real-time location, and ERP, TMS, and WMS integration for operational workflows. Best for global shippers, manufacturers, and retailers with complex supply chains spanning multiple modes and geographies who need a single platform to track all freight movements.

Mode-Specific Visibility Platforms

Specialized visibility solutions focused on specific transportation modes with deep functionality. Key capabilities include ocean visibility with vessel tracking, port events, and container milestones, truckload visibility with GPS tracking, ELD integration, and driver communication, LTL visibility with terminal scans, delivery appointments, and POD capture, parcel visibility with last-mile tracking and delivery notifications, air freight visibility with flight tracking, cargo milestones, and customs status, and rail visibility with train movements and terminal updates. Best for organizations with concentrated freight in specific modes seeking deeper functionality, higher accuracy, and specialized features for their primary transportation type.

Core Visibility Capabilities

1. Multi-Modal Tracking

• Ocean: Vessel tracking, port calls, terminal events
• Air: Flight tracking, cargo milestones, customs clearance
• Truck: GPS tracking from carrier ELDs and telematics
• Rail: Train movement and terminal updates
• Intermodal: Seamless tracking across mode changes

2. Predictive ETAs

• Machine learning: AI-powered arrival predictions
• Dynamic updates: Real-time ETA adjustments based on conditions
• Confidence intervals: Probability ranges for arrival times
• Delay prediction: Early warning of potential late arrivals

3. Exception Management

• Automatic detection: Identify delays, route deviations, and issues
• Alert routing: Notify appropriate stakeholders based on rules
• Escalation workflows: Automated escalation for unresolved issues
• Resolution tracking: Document actions taken and outcomes

4. Control Tower Capabilities

• Unified dashboard: Single view of all shipments and exceptions
• KPI monitoring: On-time performance, dwell times, costs
• Collaboration tools: Communication between parties
• What-if analysis: Scenario planning for disruptions

Visibility Data Sources

Carrier Integrations

Direct EDI, API, or portal connections to carrier tracking systems. Quality varies by carrier; major carriers provide good data, smaller carriers may require telematics.

IoT & Telematics

GPS trackers on trailers and containers provide location independent of carrier data. Especially valuable for multi-carrier or intermodal shipments.

AIS for Ocean

Automatic Identification System data tracks vessel positions globally. Combined with schedule data to predict port arrivals.

Terminal & Port Data

Integration with port community systems and terminals for container events—discharge, customs clearance, gate out.

Selection Criteria

1. Carrier Network

Evaluate coverage for your carrier base. Major truckload and LTL carriers are broadly covered; smaller carriers and international partners may require assessment.

2. Mode Coverage

Ensure the platform covers all transportation modes you use. Ocean and air require different data sources than domestic trucking.

3. Predictive Accuracy

Request ETA accuracy metrics. Leading platforms achieve 80-95% accuracy within defined windows. Accuracy varies by mode and lane.

4. Integration Capabilities

Visibility must connect with TMS, ERP, WMS, and customer-facing systems. Evaluate API robustness and pre-built connectors.

5. Customer Visibility

If customer-facing tracking is important, assess branded portals, embed options, and customer experience features.

Visibility ROI

Supply chain visibility platforms deliver returns through:

• Safety stock reduction: 10-20% inventory reduction from reduced uncertainty
• Customer service improvement: Fewer WISMO calls and proactive communication
• Labor savings: Automation of manual tracking activities
• Detention reduction: Better appointment management with accurate ETAs
• Carrier performance: Data-driven carrier scorecards and negotiations

Getting Started

Explore visibility solutions in our Supply Chain Visibility comparison tool to find platforms that match your network and mode requirements.