Supply chains have always been intricate – but never quite like this.
Volatile markets, rising expectations and siloed systems are making it harder to manage. The cost of disruption is high. The margin for error is small. And the tools many businesses rely on simply weren’t built for this level of change.
The demands are growing and the risks are rising. Now more than ever, organisations need a supply chain that’s connected from end to end.
Here are some of the realities leaders are working against:
Disruption in global markets
International changes, such as tariffs in the US, are driving up costs and reducing demand. 63% of UK manufacturers who export say they’re already being impacted.
Limited visibility
It’s challenging to track goods, stock levels and delivery timelines when information is spread across different systems. Without a single view of your operations, it becomes far more difficult to make informed decisions.
Labour and skills shortages
Gaps in IT, security, warehouses and call centre staffing can affect performance and productivity. Many teams don’t have the tools or support they need to work efficiently – especially in high-pressure environments.
Communication breakdowns
As supply chains grow more complex, keeping everyone aligned becomes harder. When suppliers, manufacturers, logistics teams and customers don’t communicate, delays and disruption can follow.
Pressure on precision
Just-in-time models help reduce cost and waste – but only if systems are accurate, aligned and responsive. One delay or missed update can create a knock-on effect throughout the entire chain.
A growing threat landscape
From cyberattacks to outages and natural disruption, resilience is being tested like never before. Without integrated systems and visibility, response times slow and the risks grow.
Here are some of the realities leaders are working against:
Disruption in global markets
International changes, such as tariffs in the US, are driving up costs and reducing demand. 63% of UK manufacturers who export say they’re already being impacted.
Limited visibility
It’s challenging to track goods, stock levels and delivery timelines when information is spread across different systems. Without a single view of your operations, it becomes far more difficult to make informed decisions.
Labour and skills shortages
Gaps in IT, security, warehouses and call centre staffing can affect performance and productivity. Many teams don’t have the tools or support they need to work efficiently – especially in high-pressure environments.
Communication breakdowns
As supply chains grow more complex, keeping everyone aligned becomes harder. When suppliers, manufacturers, logistics teams and customers don’t communicate, delays and disruption can follow.
Pressure on precision
Just-in-time models help reduce cost and waste – but only if systems are accurate, aligned and responsive. One delay or missed update can create a knock-on effect throughout the entire chain.
A growing threat landscape
From cyberattacks to outages and natural disruption, resilience is being tested like never before. Without integrated systems and visibility, response times slow and the risks grow.
© BT 2025
© BT 2025