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April 11, 2025
March 2020: When COVID Broke the Chain
Store shelves were empty, global shipments stalled, and “supply chain” quickly rose to the forefront of boardroom discussions. What we witnessed wasn’t a one-off disruption—it was a wake-up call. The world learned the hard way that having a supply chain control tower, resilient supply chain solutions, and solid supply chain resilience strategies wasn’t a luxury; it was survival 101.
So, how did some companies dance in the storm while others slipped on the logistics ice rink? The secret lay in one powerful tool: a supply chain control tower software—and we’re not talking about an air traffic kind.
In this blog series, let’s decode the journey of resilience, failures, smart pivots—and, spoiler alert, a bit of crystal ball gazing.
Think of a control tower in supply chain like Google Maps for your logistics—real-time traffic updates, alternative routes, and that voice that calmly says, "Recalculating" when chaos strikes. A control tower for supply chain resilience doesn’t just show where your goods are; it tells you why they’re stuck, when they’ll move, and what to do next.
Why it matters:
Without it? You’re driving blindfolded through a hurricane.
1. PepsiCo's Advanced Supply Chain Control Tower :
In 2022, PepsiCo implemented an advanced supply chain control tower platform, which provided end-to-end visibility across its global operations. This enhancement enabled the company to reduce response times during logistics disruptions. This information was highlighted in a presentation by PepsiCo's Senior Director of Digital Strategy for Latin America, Steven Hoinka, during the Gartner Symposium 2023 (Source: One Network)
2. Cisco’s Early Warning System
During the 2011 Japanese tsunami, Cisco was one of the few companies that pivoted fast. Why? Their integrated supply chain management control tower flagged disruptions from Tier-2 suppliers, which most companies didn’t even have on their radar. (Source: mit.edu)
Cisco’s supply chain resilience system helped them reroute orders and inform customers proactively.
" Cisco’s proactive approach and leading supply chain risk management capabilities were key to ensuring minimal impact to our customers during the Japan earthquake crisis - —John Chambers, Chairman and CEO, Cisco Systems” (Source: Pearsoncmg)
If you’re looking for a deep dive into how Cisco responded during that time, check out the case study “Cisco Systems, Inc.: Supply Chain Risk Management” by Dr. María Jesús Sáenz and Professor Elena Revilla.
3. Unilever’s Suez Canal Blockage
During the 2021 Suez Canal blockage, Unilever showcased its supply chain agility by leveraging its Virtual Ocean Control Tower and rapid-response teams to minimize supply disruption.
The control tower offered real-time visibility into Unilever’s global shipping containers, enabling the company to quickly identify affected vessels and assess the situation. This capability allowed them to initiate impact assessments and take corrective action nearly a week faster than traditional methods.
Their strategy included a segmented recovery model using a delay-versus-uncertainty matrix, which helped prioritize decisions and actions. Cross-functional teams worked across global hubs to monitor progress and maintain product availability in key markets.
Unilever’s swift, coordinated response highlights the strength of its supply chain resilience and its ability to navigate unexpected global challenges with speed and precision
(Source: Unilever)
Read also: Order Management Systems in Modern Supply Chains
Still think a supply chain control tower is just a fancy dashboard with graphs?
In Part 2 of our series, we go beyond the buzzwords to explore what a true control tower really looks like—real-time visibility, predictive insights, and smarter decisions across the value chain.
Stay tuned.
