Because visibility shows what is happening, it does not automatically stop problems from happening or fixing them in time.
What it is:
In logistics, visibility means being able to see the status of a shipment. This usually includes information such as vessel location, estimated arrival time, port events, and delivery milestones. Visibility answers the question “What is happening?” It does not answer “What should be done next?”. A shipment can be fully visible and still delayed, blocked, or generating extra costs.
How it works:
In many logistics setups, tracking data comes from multiple disconnected systems. One system shows vessel location, another shows port events, another shows trucking status, and another shows documents. Each system updates independently. When something goes wrong, visibility often works like a notification system. It reports the issue after it has already happened. By the time a delay appears on a dashboard, the container may already be stuck in the port, free time may already be running out, or a cut-off may already be missed. True control requires more than seeing the problem. It requires the ability to act quickly, coordinate multiple parties, and adjust the plan before costs start accumulating.
Examples:
- A dashboard shows that a container will arrive one day late. No action is taken because the information is only informational. Two days later, the container is still in the terminal, and charges have started.
- Different systems show different ETAs for the same shipment. One system updates the vessel delay, another still shows the original schedule. Teams are unsure which ETA is correct, so decisions are delayed.
- A shipment is visible as “arrived,” but customs clearance is not complete and trucking is not arranged. The container is visible, but not moving.
Facts:
- Many visibility gaps are caused by disconnected workflows, not by missing tracking data. Tracking technology is widely available, but it is often not linked to planning, documentation, or execution systems.
- In practice, most shipping problems are not caused by lack of information, but by late reaction. The problem is seen, but no coordinated action follows quickly enough to prevent extra cost or delay.
Misinterpretations:
- Many shippers believe that adding a tracking dashboard will solve logistics problems. Dashboards provide information, but they do not enforce deadlines, coordinate parties, or resolve exceptions.
- Another common misunderstanding is assuming that real-time updates automatically lead to better outcomes. Without clear ownership and action paths, visibility simply makes problems more visible, not less costly.
Who solves it:
Skypace connects visibility directly with execution. The Skypace system links shipment events to:
- planning decisions;
- document readiness;
- cut-off deadlines;
- transport coordination.
When a risk appears, the system triggers action, alerts the right people, and allows adjustments to be made while there is still time to avoid delays or extra charges.
