What are the primary preparedness gaps identified in the survey?

The survey identifies multiple critical gaps including inadequate ERP system capabilities, insufficient demand forecasting accuracy, limited supplier visibility across extended networks, incomplete business continuity plans, and gaps in real-time monitoring and response capabilities across supply chain operations.

Which industries and company sizes are most vulnerable?

The survey indicates that preparedness gaps span multiple industries including manufacturing, retail, technology, and automotive. Organizations of various sizes show vulnerabilities, though smaller and mid-market companies often lack the resources for comprehensive supply chain risk management infrastructure.

How do these gaps increase supply chain risk?

Inadequate preparedness creates cascading vulnerabilities: poor visibility delays disruption detection, weak forecasting leads to inventory mismatches, incomplete contingency plans prevent rapid response, and fragmented systems prevent coordinated action. Together, these gaps amplify the impact of any supply chain event.

What should organizations prioritize to close these gaps?

Priority actions include: upgrading ERP systems for real-time integration and visibility, implementing demand planning analytics, establishing supplier management platforms with visibility features, developing and stress-testing business continuity scenarios, and creating cross-functional teams responsible for ongoing resilience assessment.

What is the financial impact of remaining unprepared?

While the survey doesn't specify exact costs, supply chain disruptions typically result in significant revenue loss, increased costs from expedited shipping and production rework, inventory write-offs, and reputational damage. Organizations with strong preparedness reduce these exposure costs substantially.

Risk & Disruption

Moderate

Survey Reveals Critical Supply Chain Preparedness Gaps Across Industries

Apr 28, 2026

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The signal

A new survey conducted by ERP Today reveals significant preparedness gaps in supply chain operations across multiple industries and geographies. The research identifies critical deficiencies in how organizations are planning for, monitoring, and responding to supply chain disruptions. These gaps span across ERP system capabilities, demand forecasting accuracy, supplier visibility, and business continuity planning—areas that have become increasingly essential in today's volatile operating environment.

The findings underscore a troubling disconnect between the complexity of modern supply chains and organizations' actual readiness to manage them. Many companies appear to lack adequate visibility into their extended networks, struggle with real-time data integration, and have incomplete contingency plans for major disruptions. This creates compounding risk: as supply chains become more interconnected and geographically dispersed, the consequences of inadequate preparedness multiply rapidly.

For supply chain professionals, this survey serves as both a warning and a call to action. Organizations that fail to address these preparedness gaps face heightened exposure to demand shocks, supplier failures, logistics disruptions, and regulatory changes. The strategic imperative is clear: investment in ERP modernization, supply chain visibility platforms, scenario planning capabilities, and cross-functional resilience programs is no longer optional but essential for competitive survival.

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#enterprise-resource-planning

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#business-continuity

#supply-chain-risk

#disruption-mitigation

#operational-readiness

#erp-systems

Frequently Asked Questions

What This Means for Your Supply Chain

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if 30% of suppliers suddenly become unavailable?

Simulate an unplanned 60-day disruption affecting 30% of your supplier base across key commodity categories. Model the impact on production schedules, inventory depletion rates, and demand fulfillment under current preparedness levels.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if demand forecasting accuracy decreases by 25%?

Model the operational and financial impact of forecast error increasing from typical levels to 25% above baseline. Simulate effects on inventory levels, safety stock requirements, working capital, and service level targets.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

strategic

What if transportation costs increase 20% and lead times extend 2 weeks?

Simulate a combined shock: 20% increase in freight costs across all modes and 2-week extension in transit times globally. Model total cost of ownership impact, inventory carrying costs, and service level performance under reduced preparedness.

Run this scenario

Go deeper:

Supply Chain Digital Twin: The 2026 Guide

How operators model end-to-end supply chains to see how tariffs, supplier shocks, and regulatory changes ripple across cost, service, risk, and time.

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The signal

Frequently Asked Questions

What This Means for Your Supply Chain

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