With the network age, we have real-time systems that instantly analyze and enable us to evaluate what’s happening and respond infinitely more quickly.

We have mobile computing that takes technology, power, information, and the capability of collaboration right out to front-line workers who can constantly make real-time adjustments.

From opacity to transparency

In the old model, there was opacity throughout the chain. And the new model has transparency throughout. So that an OEM, for example, can look all the way down through the network right to the base suppliers and find out what’s going on. And base suppliers can look all the way up to understand the market demand.

Companies can turn their customers into producers (or “prosumers”).

Read the full post in SAP Business Innovation.