A PRELIMINARY LOOK AT USING SATELLITE COMMUNICATION FOR COLLABORATION IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN

This article examines attitudes of four shippers that use satellite communications systems regarding the benefits of using such systems. All four ranked the value of their use as very high and gave customer service as the reason. By making information about the shipment available while it is in transit, the shipper can now have a complete view of the shipping process, which is necessary in today's market. This study is looking at attitudes toward satellite communications with an eye to discovering new ways to encourage collaboration along the supply chain. Carriers also realized benefits such as reduced costs, heightened efficiency and productivity through better utilization of assets. The results show that satellite information technology has the potential to benefit all three parties: shipper, carrier and receiver. More work can be done on ways to quantify some of the "soft" benefits, such as additional sales for shippers who are able to fulfill orders more rapidly and more transparently, and for carriers, who are better able to put their investment in assets and personnel to work. Additional questions are the strategic as well as operational applications that could still benefit.