Glossary
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Example H2
Supply Chain Glossary
ABC analysis
Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN)
Agile supply chain
Air waybill (AWB)
Arrival notice
Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)
Backhauling
Backorder
Bayplan
Beneficial Cargo Owner (BCO)
Bill of Lading (B/L)
Blank sailing
Blind shipment
Bonded warehouse
Booking request
Break bulk cargo
Buffer stock
Bulk cargo
Bullwhip effect
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)
Cargo release
Cargo survey
Carrier
Carrier haulage
Carrier scorecard
Certificate of origin
Commercial invoice
Commodity
Confirmed bookings
Consignee
Consignment inventory
Consignor
Container freight station
Container grade
Container packing certificate
Container rollover
Cross docking
Customer
Customs and transit documentation
Customs broker
Customs clearance
Customs manifest
Cut-off
Cycle counting
DAP (Delivered At Place)
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid)
DPU (Delivered At Place Unloaded)
Dangerous goods declaration
Deadheading
Deadweight tonnage
Demurrage
Depot
Detention charges
Digital twin
Dimensional weight
Discharge / Discharging of container
Discharge instructions
Dock receipt
Drayage
Drop shipping
Dry bulk cargo
EDI booking
EORI number
ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)
EXW (Ex Works)
Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)
Electronic Product Code (EPC)
Empties
Equipment
Equipment discharge / load report
Event
Exception
Expedited freight
FAS (Free Alongside Ship)
FCA (Free carrier)
FOB (Free on board)
Feeder operator
Feeder vessel
Fill rate
Financial clearance status
Flags of Convenience
Fourth Party Logistics (4PL)
Free trade zone
Freight forwarding
Freight visibility
Full truckload (FTL) freight
GLEC framework
Gate-out
German Supply Chain Act
Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)
Goods Receipt Note (GRN)
Green logistics
Haulage equipment
Haulage requirements
Haulage type
Haulier
House Bill of Lading (HBL)
Hub and spoke model
INCOTERMS
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Inbound visibility

What is Inbound Supply Chain Visibility?

Inbound supply chain visibility refers to the ability to track and monitor the movement of goods, materials, and shipments as they move from suppliers to a company's receiving or manufacturing facilities. It provides real-time information about the location, status, and estimated arrival times of incoming inventory. Inbound visibility is crucial for managing supplier relationships, optimizing inventory levels, and ensuring that production schedules are met without delays. By having clear visibility into inbound shipments, businesses can improve planning, reduce disruptions, and increase overall supply chain efficiency.

Benefits of Inbound Freight Visibility

The benefits of inbound freight visibility are numerous, starting with improved supply chain efficiency. It allows businesses to anticipate delays, adjust schedules, and better manage inventory, reducing stockouts and overstock situations. Real-time visibility helps companies make informed decisions, improve supplier performance, and enhance coordination across the supply chain. Additionally, inbound freight visibility can lead to cost savings by enabling better planning of labor, warehousing, and transportation resources, ultimately improving customer satisfaction by ensuring on-time deliveries and a more agile supply chain.

How to Improve Inbound Shipment Visibility

Improving inbound shipment visibility involves the use of technology and process improvements. Implementing a supply chain visibility platform with real-time tracking capabilities can give businesses better control and insight into shipments. Technologies like IoT sensors, GPS, and RFID tags can also provide real-time updates on the location and condition of inbound goods. Strengthening communication with suppliers and logistics partners, standardizing reporting methods, and integrating data from various systems into a centralized platform are also key strategies to enhance visibility and improve supply chain responsiveness.