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In today’s fast-paced, social media-driven world, viral products are an exciting phenomenon. A product can go from obscurity to global sensation in the blink of an eye, thanks to the power of influencers and online platforms. While it may at first seem like a dream come true for brand owners, viral successes bring a unique set of challenges for the supply chain. What begins as a “good problem” can quickly spiral into a crisis if companies aren’t prepared to deal with the sudden demand surges.

In today’s volatile global supply chain environment, disruptions are not only possible—they’re inevitable. From global pandemics and natural disasters to sudden demand fluctuations and supplier issues, brand owners face constant challenges that threaten production continuity, customer satisfaction, and profitability. To combat this uncertainty, more companies are turning to shadow planning—a proactive approach to supply chain management that enables brand owners to prepare for the unexpected and maintain business continuity under various scenarios. 

At some point, you’ve likely heard the adage, “Go where your customers are.” Nowhere could this be truer than in channel management, where optimizing market coverage is a major priority and a driver of growth. However, the recent evolution of the channel landscape has added more complexity to the process. In just two decades, the number of channels available to both B2B and B2C consumers has expanded, creating a “good problem” for companies seeking to increase channel sales.

E2open is powered by a strong global network of problem solvers and innovators driven by strong values and our company culture. Together, we are focused on doing what’s right in business and in our communities. Every month, we will shine a spotlight on an exceptional team member who is helping us transform the supply chain industry. This month, we held a Q&A with Diana Olivera, Solution Architect at e2open.

Close your eyes and think about all the places you can now purchase products. There are traditional brick-and-mortar retail outlets like GAP or Dick’s Sporting Goods, or online e-commerce sites like Amazon or Newegg. You can click an ad you see on Instagram or Facebook, or maybe your favorite YouTuber shared a new product. It's never been easier for companies to reach customers. However, this proliferation of channels presents brands with a plate of jumbled spaghetti noodles – disparate partners and mounds of unorganized data – and they are left to try and sort out one strand of pasta from the next. Such complexity demands a more sophisticated, organized approach to channel management.

Logistics operations are the circulatory system of any brand. Without them, companies could not move the lifeblood of their business – products – from Points A to B and get them in the hands of customers. However, in recent years the business landscape has grown in scope and complexity, presenting a variety of new challenges for logistics managers. As a result, companies should look to supply chain logistics software for more visibility, flexibility, and control, and ensure that they can keep their “circulatory system” in good health.

Logistics operations are the circulatory system of any brand. Without them, companies could not move the lifeblood of their business – products – from Points A to B and get them in the hands of customers. However, in recent years the business landscape has grown in scope and complexity, presenting a variety of new challenges for logistics managers. As a result, companies should look to supply chain logistics software for more visibility, flexibility, and control, and ensure that they can keep their “circulatory system” in good health.

E2open is powered by a strong global network of problem solvers and innovators driven by strong values and our company culture. Together, we are focused on doing what’s right in business and in our communities. Every month, we will shine a spotlight on an exceptional team member who is helping us transform the supply chain industry. This month, we held a Q&A with Evamarie Manieri, Manager, UX Design at e2open.

With global commerce at an all-time high, the complexity faced by shippers has increased exponentially. Stricter regulations, geopolitical instability, new competitors, and changing consumer habits are the new normal, and these trends show no signs of abating. As a result, many shipping companies are looking for ways to streamline and simplify supply chain operations and might choose to adopt a transportation management system (TMS), a software platform designed to help businesses manage the complexity of operating across multiple transport modes and regions.