A supply chain control tower is a central hub for collecting and utilising supply chain data to support decision making that is aligned with strategic objectives. The control tower provides the capability for tracking information and product flows along with costs by monitoring critical processes in the supply chain, including positions and levels of inventory, shipment in- transit conditions and real-time order movements. It improves speed, reliability and flexibility for gaining a competitive advantage according to well controlled and managed supply chain functions.

(a) Show the operational issues which can be resolved after appropriately introducing supply chain control tower.

(b) Demonstrate how the functionalities of electronic data interchange (EDI) technologies facilitate communication of data from diverse sources and integrate data into the supply chain control tower.