Everstream Analytics > Case Studies > Cisco's Proactive Approach to Supply Chain Risk with Everstream Analytics

Cisco's Proactive Approach to Supply Chain Risk with Everstream Analytics

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms

Applicable Industries

Equipment & Machinery
Transportation

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation
Sales & Marketing

Use Cases

Last Mile Delivery
Transportation Simulation

Services

Hardware Design & Engineering Services

About The Customer

Cisco is a global IT leader that businesses rely on for hardware, software, and services to run critical infrastructure. The company's reputation for reliable, high-performing equipment and world-class customer service forms a core part of its value. DHL Service Logistics manages a comprehensive service and support logistics operation on behalf of Cisco across 19 countries in Asia-Pacific. The operation includes hardware and spare parts from 80 rapid DHL fulfillment sites operating 365 days a year, shipping replacement equipment in as little as two hours and coordinating closely with Cisco’s own sales, customer support, and technical teams.

The Challenge

Cisco, a global IT leader, relies on DHL Service Logistics for managing a comprehensive service and support logistics operation across 19 countries in Asia-Pacific. The operation includes hardware and spare parts from 80 rapid DHL fulfillment sites operating 365 days a year. However, the network faced challenges in coping with unexpected events, ranging from minor transport delays to major natural disasters. The objective was to improve service operations performance and enhance the support provided to Cisco customers. The need was to enhance the network's resilience and agility to handle unexpected events effectively.

The Solution

DHL turned to Everstream Analytics, a leading supply chain predictive analytics company, to increase the resilience and agility of Cisco's supply chain. Everstream provided location-level risk analysis based on historical incident data and real-time monitoring of potentially disruptive events through a single, integrated portal. The platform was activated in the Cisco Logistics Support Center in Singapore, providing a comprehensive model of all operating locations and major freight lanes in the network. Each location was geo-coded at the street address level, providing a detailed overview of the nature and severity of supply chain risks. This helped in tailoring risk management, mitigation, and contingency planning. The platform also supported the risk assessment process when considering new warehouse sites or transport routes, allowing the companies to pick secure locations for facilities and target their investment in risk mitigation activities.

Operational Impact

The implementation of Everstream Analytics' platform has brought significant operational benefits to Cisco. In October 2016, when a typhoon threatened several key transportation nodes in the Cisco network, Cisco was able to identify specific shipments at risk of damage or delay. These shipments were held at a safe location until the weather had cleared, and affected customers were informed in advance of the delay. The system has also helped manage the impact of numerous smaller scale incidents, from rainstorms in Thailand to road closures in New Zealand caused by forest fires. This has resulted in better visibility of potentially disruptive events, faster and clearer communication with internal teams and customers, and a more robust, proactive approach to supply chain risks.