The Supply Chain Glossary
Curious about common supply chain definitions or acronyms? project44’s Supply Chain Glossary has you covered.
Resources on supply chain from project44. What is project44?
Supply Chain Fundamentals
The supply chain is the movement of goods through a globally connected network of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. This end-to-end system ensures products are produced, transported, and delivered to meet customer demand.
Transportation Management (TMS)
In transportation management, systems and processes are used to plan, execute, and optimize the movement of goods across various modes. This ensures shipments are delivered efficiently, cost-effectively, and on time.
Artificial intelligence (AI) for TMS
Decision Intelligence
Decision Intelligence (D.I.) for the supply chain refers to the use of data, analytics, and AI to improve the speed and quality of logistics and supply chain decisions. It enables optimized routing, inventory, carrier selection, and exception handling in real-time.
Decision intelligence platform
Decision-support capability in supply chains
Future of decision intelligence in supply chain
Machine learning in supply chains
Optimization technology in supply chains
Predictive analytics in supply chains
Visibility
Visibility in supply chain is the ability to track the location and status of shipments across every mode, anywhere, anytime. This helps businesses respond faster to delays, improve customer service, and reduce disruptions.
AI-powered supply chain visibility
End-to-end supply chain visibility
Multimodal visibility in supply chain management
Predictive supply chain visibility
Real-time supply chain visibility
Supply chain visibility platform
Sustainable supply chain visibility
The role of end-to-end supply chain visibility in supply chain management
Yard Management
In yard management, software and processes are used to track and coordinate the movement of trailers, trucks, and goods within a facility’s yard. This improves gate flow, reduces dwell time, and enhances overall warehouse efficiency.
AI-powered yard management in supply chain
Smart yard in supply chain management
Yard automation in supply chain
Yard detention in supply chain
Freight and Multimodal Transport
In freight and multimodal transport, goods are moved using multiple modes of transportation, like truck, rail, ocean, or air, within a single shipment journey. This approach improves flexibility, reduces costs, and optimizes delivery timelines across regions.
Freight and multimodal transport
Less-than-container-load (LCL)
Supply Chain AI
Supply Chain AI uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze data, automate processes, and optimize logistics operations. Making it easier to forecast accurately, and make faster, smarter decisions.
AI agents in supply chain management
Multi-Agent Orchestration in supply chains
AI’s application in supply chain sustainability
AI-powered procurement in supply chain management
Artificial intelligence (AI) in supply chains
Intelligent inventory management in AI-powered supply chain management
Machine learning (ML) in supply chain risk management
Natural language processing (NLP) in supply chain management
Logistics Costs and Pricing
There are set financial terms and cost structures associated with moving goods through the supply chain. These include tariffs, accessorials, detention, demurrage, and service-level agreements that define how logistics services are billed and managed.
Customs duty in supply chain management
Detention cost in supply chain
Dynamic pricing in freight and logistics
Shipping Events
In shipping events, key milestones like pickup, departure, arrival, and delivery are tracked throughout a shipment’s journey. Monitoring these events helps ensure timely updates, reduce delays, and improve supply chain visibility.
Actual time of arrival (ATA) in supply chain
Actual time of departure (ATD) in supply chain
Delivery event in supply chain management
Estimated time of arrival (ETA) in supply chain
Estimated time of departure (etd) in supply chain
Exception event in supply chain management
Last mile delivery in supply chain
Middle mile delivery in supply chain
Pickup event in supply chain management
Compliance and Regulation
Supply chain activities must follow laws, industry standards, and documentation requirements across regions and modes to ensure the safe and legal movement of goods while avoiding delays, fines, or customs issues.
Bill of lading (BOL) in supply chain management
Compliance and regulation in supply chain management
CTPAT in supply chain management
Customs broker in supply chain
Freight brokerage firm in supply chain
Incoterms in global trade and supply chain management