Collaboration and communication are increasingly important for effective continuity planning and business development in a complex and uncertain global supply chain operating environment.

Read also: Building a Resilient Supply Chain with Advanced Predictive Analytics

Forwarders and their business partners must maintain clear lines of communication and always-on access to information about disruptive events to quickly manage exceptions, whether weather-related, geopolitical, or other events.

When supply chain and logistics service companies have an effective, secure way to communicate and integrate with business partners and industry trading contacts, they enable greater supply chain resiliency, flexibility, and safety.

Timely digital communication and collaboration enable partners to a shipment to be proactive in researching disruptive events, determining their impact, and exploring alternative solutions. Supply chain and logistics options, such as alternate routes, backup storage facilities, port gateways, or transportation modes must be evaluated quickly to maintain production schedules and meet customer expectations.

Plus, when expanding into new markets, a secure, globally connected network offers access to new business partners, such as agents, that have local and regional knowledge and experience and the boots on the ground to facilitate reliable freight movements.

By being part of a collaborative industry network that securely connects to global shipping industry participants 24/7, an organization’s supply chain and logistics network can quickly address disruptions and seize business opportunities to successfully address unique market and infrastructure conditions.

Uniting businesses in commerce

Through a cloud-based global network, a worldwide community of users can quickly access logistics and market updates and build trusted business relationships with trading partners across the globe to improve visibility, predictability, and control. 

For example, Magaya, a logistics and supply chain automation software provider, connects forwarders and logistics service providers and their agents across the globe with the Magaya Network.

The Magaya Network facilitates timely, direct peer-to-peer dialogue when supply chain disruptions are occurring and facilitates reliable origin-to-destination data flows. Information can be exchanged faster, more securely, and more accurately when sent electronically in the cloud.

Shipping documentation can be electronically exchanged, enabling transactional information to be completed and flow smoothly and accurately from end-to-end. Participants can immediately transfer all necessary shipment and customs documents electronically allowing for faster freight clearance, eliminating the errors that occur with manual data entry, and, ultimately, lowering costs.

Secure connections

With the constant risk of scams, spam, and cyber-attacks, electronic transmission of shipment documentation via a secure network is an essential capability for today’s global shipping participants. Networked communication has encrypted data and uses authentication to verify a user’s credibility. It is much more secure than email, which is known for its risk of data breaches and can easily fall into the wrong hands.

Additionally, as part of a global network, trading partners can rely on an outside firm like Magaya for its established cybersecurity protocols and ongoing security updates. This alleviates the burden on businesses to manage this critically important aspect of their business.

Collaboration and communication are indispensable enablers for today’s global supply chains. Navigating today’s uncertainty, disruptive events, and evolving market dynamics underscores the importance of seamless connectivity. Through fostering robust partnerships and embracing digital networks, companies can fortify their supply chains and logistics networks against disruptions while seizing new opportunities. Digitized communication platforms like the Magaya Network provide secure communication and reliable data exchanges to support resilient, efficient supply chains.