Back
Supply Chain Dashboard: 5 Examples + Template
Mar 26, 2024
Ka Ling Wu
Co-Founder & CEO, Upsolve AI
Tired of not knowing what's happening in your supply chain? I know how hard it can be to keep track of everything.
A supply chain dashboard can help you see all the important details in one place without compromising.
If you don't have a supply chain dashboard, you might miss big problems such as delays, extra costs, or unhappy customers that could surprise you later. And nobody wants to happen like this, particularly your business!
In this blog, I will show you 5 examples of supply chain dashboards and give you a free template to help you create your own. This will make your supply chain work easier and better.
Here's what you'll find inside:
Examples of supply chain dashboards
Tips on how to use dashboards to improve your supply chain
A free template you can start using right away
I’m sure by the end, you’ll learn about many resources that will help you enhance, support, and maximize your supply chain dashboard and never miss the important details.
Why You Need a Supply Chain Dashboard?
Having a supply chain dashboard is important because it puts all the key information in one place, making it easier to see what's happening and how you could improve your decisions over time.
Here are some significant reasons why you need a supply chain dashboard:
1. Real-Time Tracking of Supply Chain Metrics
With a dashboard, you can see what's happening right now. You don't have to wait for reports or guess what's going on. You can:
Monitor inventory levels instantly.
Track shipments and deliveries as they happen.
Spot delays or problems before they become big issues.
This real-time tracking helps you react quickly and keep things running smoothly.
2. Improved Decision-Making and Efficiency
When all your data is easy to see, making good choices becomes simpler. You can:
Find trends in your supply chain.
See where things are slow and fix them.
Save time and money by being more efficient.
Having clear information helps me make better decisions, and I think it will help you, too.
3. Better Visibility of Supply Chain Performance
It's hard to manage what you can't see. A dashboard gives you a clear picture of how everything is working. You can:
Check key performance indicators (KPIs) at a glance.
Ensure you're meeting your goals for delivery times and costs.
Communicate easily with your team about what's happening.
You can keep your supply chain on the right track with better visibility.
Also, using a supply chain dashboard helps you see what's important, make smart decisions, and keep everything running well. It's a tool that can make a big difference.
5 Best Supply Chain Dashboard Examples
The right dashboards can really help manage your supply chain better. Here are the 5 best supply chain dashboard examples that can make your job easier.
1. Inventory Management Dashboard
An Inventory Management Dashboard helps you keep an eye on everything you have in stock.
It tracks:
Inventory Levels: You can see how much of each product you have right now.
Turnover Rates: This shows how quickly your products are selling.
Stockouts: It alerts you when you're out of a product.
This dashboard is super helpful because it shows me what's selling fast and what's not. This way, you can order more of what's popular and avoid having too much of what's not selling.
Why It's Useful:
Prevents running out of popular items.
Reduces money tied up in unsold stock.
Helps you plan better for future orders.
2. Logistics Dashboard
A Logistics Dashboard lets you see how your products are moving from one place to another.
It monitors:
Delivery Times: You can check if shipments are arriving when they should.
Shipping Costs: See how much you're spending to move products.
Delays: Find out if there are any hold-ups in shipping.
Using this dashboard, I can quickly spot if something is slowing down deliveries. You can then fix the problem fast, so your customers stay happy.
Why It's Useful:
Keeps deliveries on schedule.
It helps you find cheaper shipping options.
Improves customer satisfaction with timely deliveries.
3. Supplier Performance Dashboard
The Supplier Performance Dashboard shows how well your suppliers are doing their jobs.
It measures:
Lead Times: How long it takes for suppliers to deliver after you order.
Quality: The condition of the products you receive.
Costs: How much you're paying your suppliers.
I like this dashboard because it helps me choose the best suppliers. You can see who's reliable and who might be causing problems.
Why It's Useful:
Ensures you work with dependable suppliers.
Helps negotiate better prices.
Improves the quality of your products.
4. Demand Forecasting Dashboard
A Demand Forecasting Dashboard helps you guess what your customers will want in the future.
It uses:
Past Sales Data: Looks at how products sold before.
Trends: Finds patterns in what customers are buying.
By using this dashboard, I can plan ahead and make sure I have enough stock for upcoming sales. It helps prevent having too much or too little of a product.
Why It's Useful:
Improves inventory planning.
Increases sales by meeting customer demand.
Reduces wasted stock.
5. Procurement Dashboard
The Procurement Dashboard keeps track of everything you buy for your business.
It tracks:
Purchase Orders: All the orders you've made.
Costs: How much you're spending on purchases.
Vendor Reliability: How well your vendors are delivering.
I find this dashboard helpful for managing expenses. You can see where your money is going and if your vendors are doing a good job.
Why It's Useful:
Controls purchasing costs.
It helps you find and fix problems with orders.
Builds better relationships with reliable vendors.
By using these dashboards, you can see everything that's happening in your supply chain. They help you make smarter decisions, save money, and keep your customers happy. I believe these dashboard examples can make a big difference in how you run your business.
What Should a Good Supply Chain Dashboard Include?
When you're setting up a supply chain dashboard, it’s essential to include the right information.
Otherwise, you might end up with a tool that looks fancy but doesn’t really help you grow. So, keep these metrics on any excellent supply chain dashboard.
1. Inventory Levels
Trying to meet customer orders, but suddenly, you realize you’re out of stock. Frustrating, right? That’s why tracking inventory levels is crucial. A good dashboard should show:
Current Stock: How much of each product do you have?
Reorder Alerts: When it’s time to order more.
Dead Stock: Products that haven’t sold in a long time.
By keeping an eye on these numbers, you’ll avoid stockouts and overstocking, saving both time and money.
2. Delivery Timelines
Nobody likes delays, and your customers are no different. Your dashboard should help you monitor delivery timelines, such as:
On-Time Deliveries: How many shipments arrive as scheduled?
Average Delivery Time: The time it takes for products to reach your customers.
Delayed Shipments: Any orders running late.
This helps you quickly spot and fix bottlenecks before they cause bigger problems.
3. Supplier Performance
Your suppliers play a huge role in your supply chain’s success. A dashboard should track:
Lead Times: How quickly suppliers fulfill your orders.
Quality Ratings: Are you getting products in good condition?
Order Accuracy: Are suppliers delivering the correct items?
With this data, you can build stronger partnerships with the best suppliers.
4. Demand vs Supply Trends
Understanding the balance between demand and supply is key to running a smooth supply chain. Your dashboard should highlight:
Sales Trends: What’s selling well and what’s not?
Forecast Accuracy: How close your sales predictions are to reality.
Inventory vs. Demand: Do you have enough stock to meet customer needs?
This ensures you’re always prepared for customer demand without overstocking.
5. Procurement Efficiency
Finally, your dashboard should give insights into your procurement processes. Key metrics include:
Purchase Costs: How much are you spending on supplies?
Vendor Reliability: Which vendors deliver on time and within budget?
Order Processing Time: How long it takes to complete a purchase order.
Efficient procurement helps you cut costs and improve overall operations.
Including these metrics will make your supply chain dashboard a powerful tool that saves you time, money, and headaches. Trust me, managing your supply chain will be much easier once you have all this data in one place!
Free Supply Chain Dashboard Template
Managing a supply chain can be complex, but having the right tools makes it more accessible.
That's why I'm excited to share a free supply chain dashboard template with you. This template helps you track key metrics and streamline your operations.
This template is designed to give you a clear view of your supply chain by tracking essential metrics such as:
Inventory Levels: Monitor stock quantities to prevent shortages or overstocking.
Supplier Performance: Evaluate suppliers based on delivery times and product quality.
Delivery Timelines: Keep track of shipment schedules to ensure timely deliveries.
By consolidating this information, the dashboard provides insights into your supply chain's health and efficiency.
How to Use the Template: Step-by-Step
Download the Template: Click the link below to download the Excel file.
Download Supply Chain Dashboard TemplateOpen the File: Open the template with Microsoft Excel or a suitable compatible program.
Enter Your Data:
Data Worksheet: Input your supply chain information, including order numbers, item details, supplier names, order dates, and delivery statuses.
Master Section: Update details like months, years, supplier availability, defect presence, and defect types.
Review Calculations:
The Calculations Worksheet processes your input data automatically. You don't need to make changes here unless you have specific calculations to add.
View the Dashboard:
Navigate to the Dashboard Worksheet to see visualizations of key metrics such as defect rates, availability by month, lead times, and supplier performance.
How This Template Saves You Time and Effort
Automated Calculations: Once you input your data, the template automatically processes it, reducing manual work.
Visual Insights: The dashboard presents data in charts and graphs, making it easy to identify trends and areas for improvement.
Improved Decision-Making: You can make informed decisions quickly with all critical information in one place.
By using this template, you can enhance your supply chain management without investing in expensive software. It's a practical tool to help you stay organized and efficient.
How to Choose the Right Supply Chain Dashboard for Your Business
Choosing the perfect supply chain dashboard can feel overwhelming. So many options are available, but you want to ensure you pick the one that fits your business needs perfectly.
These are key factors to consider when making this critical decision-
Factors to Consider while Choosing the Right Supply Chain Dashboard
1. Your Business Goals and Key Metrics
First, think about what you want your dashboard to do. Every business has unique goals, and your dashboard should align with them. Ask yourself:
What metrics are most important for my business?
Inventory levels, Delivery timelines, or Supplier performance?
Do I need a dashboard to track daily operations or long-term trends?
For example, if reducing delivery delays is your priority, look for dashboards with strong logistics tracking capabilities.
2. Integration with Your Existing Systems
A great dashboard should work smoothly with the tools you already use. But if you’re juggling multiple systems, then it’s a headache, right? Instead, check for the following:
Compatibility with your current software (like ERP, CRM, or accounting tools).
Real-time data syncing to ensure your dashboard stays up-to-date.
Easy setup without requiring extensive technical knowledge.
3. Ease of Use and Customization
Nobody wants a dashboard that’s too hard to use. You need something simple but powerful. In this situation, consider:
User Interface: Is it easy to navigate and understand?
Customization Options: Can you tailor the dashboard to show only the metrics you care about?
Learning Curve: How quickly can your team learn to use it?
A user-friendly and customizable dashboard will save you time and make your workday smoother.
Why Upsolve.ai Could Be the Right Fit For You
Upsolve.ai is an advanced platform for automating and optimizing supply chain processes.
It uses real-time data to provide actionable insights, speeding up and making decisions smarter.
How Upsolve.ai Helps You in Supply Chain Analytics
Here’s what makes Upsolve.ai stand out:
Real-Time Data Integration: It pulls live data from your existing systems, giving you the latest information.
Pre-Built Customizable Templates: You don’t have to start from scratch. Upsolve.ai offers ready-to-use dashboard templates that you can tweak to fit your needs.
Scalability: Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, Upsolve.ai grows with you.
Upsolve.ai Features
Automated Metrics Tracking: No more manual data entry—Upsolve.ai updates everything in real-time.
User-Friendly Dashboards: Clean layouts make it easy to see what matters most.
Custom Alerts: Get notified when something needs your attention, like a delayed shipment or low inventory.
How Upsolve.ai Saves Time and Boosts Efficiency
Using Upsolve.ai means spending less time wrestling with spreadsheets and more time focusing on your business. It helps you:
Save Time: Automation handles repetitive tasks, freeing you up for strategic planning.
Improve Decision-Making: With real-time insights, you can make informed choices quickly.
Enhance Efficiency: Better visibility into your supply chain reduces waste and delays.
Quick Comparison: Upsolve.ai vs Basic Dashboards
In short, choosing the right supply chain dashboard is not as tricky, but you need to focus on your goals, find a dashboard that works with your systems, and ensure it’s easy to use.
And Upsolve.ai can take things to the next level by saving you time, boosting efficiency, and simplifying your processes.
Conclusion: Make Your Supply Chain Smarter With Dashboards
Managing a supply chain is no easy task, but a supply chain dashboard can make it much more straightforward. It allows you to see everything at a glance, track important metrics, and make smarter decisions.
Here’s what supply chain dashboards can make a difference:
Stay updated with live data on inventory, deliveries, and supplier performance.
Dashboards help you identify problems early and fix them quickly.
You can confidently plan for the future and gain better insights using dashboard examples such as demand forecasting and procurement tracking.
I also shared 5 examples of supply chain dashboards and a free template you can use right now. These tools will save you time, reduce costs, and make your supply chain easier to manage.
Tools like Upsolve.ai can make it easier by offering ready-to-view dashboards and no-code dashboard creation. We also provide your business with real-time integrations, customizable dashboards, and scalability.
If you’re serious about improving efficiency and reducing stress, explore the examples and templates we discussed.
