What is a Supply Chain Control Tower?

A supply chain control tower is a virtual dashboard or command center that provides full visibility and actionability across the end-to-end supply chain.

It is important to note that many people call various systems a "control tower." In fact, there are four main types of supply chain control tower. The most basic control towers offer visibility only, and cannot properly be considered control towers, since they provide no control over the supply chain.

Ideally, a control tower provides full, end-to-end visibility and actionability. In order to do that, control towers must connect all supply chain trading partners, across all nodes and tiers, into a single, unified ecosystem. It must provide both planning and execution capabilities. And it should use AI to help monitor, understand, and react to issues as they arise.

One Network's Perspective on Control Towers

One Network is built on the belief that a network foundation is necessary for optimal supply chain management. One Network's Smart Control Tower is network-based, and thus connects all parties across the supply chain to a real-time, single version of the truth.

Further, One Network believes that Control Towers should work for and provide value, for all parties, not just the "hub." Thus, all companies (e.g. a retailer's suppliers), once connected to the network, a supplier or contract manufacturer can use the same control tower technology to manage their supply chains and achieve value.