Resources ## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/) 2. [Resources](/resources/resource-center) 3. [Resource Center](/resources/resource-center) # 5 Powerful Features to Look for in a Digital Supply Network ![banner-image](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/2021-03/spi_cmo_thumbnail_300x200.jpg) - [Download PDF](/node/20106/pdf) - [Share](#) - [ LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.tracelink.com/resources/resource-center/5-powerful-features-digital-supply-network&title=5 Powerful Features to Look for in a Digital Supply Network&summary=Digital supply networks hold great promise for the future of supplier management. But what should you look for in a digital supply network? 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Digital supply networks will have a major impact on all industries: Supply chain disruptions will be more easily predicted and prevented. Supplier networks will grow more efficient, agile, and resilient. And innovative operating models will emerge to deliver new sources of competitive advantage. But how will you know when you’ve found the right [digital supply network](https://go.tracelink.com/Future-Insights-Paper.html) platform? Start by looking for these five key features and capabilities: **Simplified Network Management and Onboarding:** It’s important to be able to quickly and cost-effectively get your supplier partners up and running on a digital supply network. The [digital supply network platform](https://www.tracelink.com/agile-supply-chain/insights/inside-the-rise-of-digital-supply-networks) should make it easy to establish unique network identifiers; verify certificates; vet users; align on format and data requirements; and conduct end-to-end system testing. **Multienterprise Applications:** Look for a platform that offers collaborative, multienterprise applications that enable you to create your own digital supply networks, linking companies, people, processes, and systems around common business processes and objectives. ![](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/2021-05/Multienterprise%20Image.PNG)**Process Networks and Process Teams:** Look for the ability to create unique networks of suppliers and teams of experts from inside and outside of your company to collaborate, resolve issues, manage changes, and review documents. Process networks can be used to segment suppliers by category. Process teams can be assembled to resolve specific types of quality and business process defects. **Custom Solutions:** The ability to customize existing multienterprise applications to fit your unique business processes is a critical success factor. You also need a low-code environment for building and customizing your own [collaborative supply network applications.](https://www.tracelink.com/agile-supply-chain/insights/supplier-relationship-management-best-practices-risk-mitigation) Seek out a platform that gives you the tools to design user experiences, workflows, and data models. **Collective Intelligence:** The right data mesh architecture makes the gathering of collective intelligence across all networks and industries possible. Collective intelligence enables real-time, demand-based resource planning while helping you predict and prevent shortages and disruptions. *In the next Agile Supply Insights article, we’ll explore some of the current and soon-to-be-unveiled categories of multienterprise applications that will have a major impact on supplier networks in the future.* *[ Download our new handbook for more information on supply chain issue management.](https://go.tracelink.com/supply-chain-issue-management-best-practices-handbook.html "Supply Chain Issue Management Best Practices Handbook")* [![](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/2021-06/SupplyChainIssueManagementHandbook_LinkedIn%20%281%29.jpg)](https://go.tracelink.com/supply-chain-issue-management-best-practices-handbook.html "Supply Chain Issue Management Best Practices Handbook") [Blog](/category/blog)[Supply Chain Collaboration](/category/supply-chain-collaboration)[Supply Chain](/category/supply-chain) #### Table of contents Subscribe to Agile Supply Chain Insights Stay informed with the latest patient-centric agile supply chain thought leadership content. SUBSCRIBE NOW Subscribe to Agile Supply Chain Insights Stay informed with the latest patient-centric agile supply chain thought leadership content. document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() { // Delay the execution by 2 seconds (2000 milliseconds) setTimeout(function() { (function() { 'use strict'; // Load Marketo form MktoForms2.loadForm("//go.tracelink.com", "776-BAW-230", 2258); })(); // Wait until the Marketo form is loaded MktoForms2.whenReady(function(form) { var formElement = document.getElementById('mktoForm_2258'); if (!formElement) { console.error("Form with id 'mktoForm_2258' not found."); return; } var formLocation = formElement.querySelector("input[name=formLocation]"); // Get the current URL and set the formLocation field if (formLocation) { var currentURL = window.location.href; formLocation.value = currentURL; } // Add onSuccess handler form.onSuccess(function(values, followUpUrl) { var formElem = form.getFormElem()[0]; if (formElem) { formElem.style.display = 'none'; } else { console.warn("Form element could not be found to hide it."); } var confirmMessage = document.getElementById('confirmform'); if (confirmMessage) { confirmMessage.style.display = 'block'; } else { console.warn("Confirmation message with id 'confirmform' not found."); } return false; // Prevent the form from submitting normally }); }); }, 2000); // Delay for 2 seconds }); **Thank you for contacting us; we’ll be in touch shortly.** ##### Learn more about the power of digital supply networks: [ ![Rethinking Supplier Relationship Management eBook Cover](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/2021-04/Rethinking_Supplier_Management_ebook_v2_3d-cover-image.png.webp?itok=RVOjNkRv) ](/resources/resource-center/rethinking-supplier-management-ebook) ##### Rethinking Supplier Management: How New Digital Technologies are Boosting the Performance, Quality, and Resilience of Pharma Supply Networks Learn about the powerful new digital technology that is changing everything about supplier relationship management. [View More](/resources/resource-center/rethinking-supplier-management-ebook) [ ![Digital Transformation](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/2021-03/digital-transformation-2.png.webp?itok=gj9YhK_S) ](/resources/resource-center/the-top-6-supplier-relationship-management-challenges) ##### The Top 6 Supplier Relationship Management Challenges—and the Digital Capabilities You Need to Overcome Them Get six key insights on the evolution of supplier relationship management in the pharmaceutical industry. [View More](/resources/resource-center/the-top-6-supplier-relationship-management-challenges) [ ![boxes-warehouse-scanner.jpg](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/_global-asset/images/insights/boxes-warehouse-scanner.jpg.webp?itok=oNKGRA9m) ](/resources/resource-center/how-digital-network-platforms-improve-supply-chain-agility) ##### How Digital Network Platforms Will Improve Agility and Resilience in Your Supply Chain Watch Merck’s Executive Director of Supplier Management, Megan Sewell, and TraceLink CEO Shabbir Dahod debut the new digital supply network technology that will transform your entire supplier network. [View More](/resources/resource-center/how-digital-network-platforms-improve-supply-chain-agility) [ ![thoughtleadership_hospital_healthcare.jpg](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/_global-asset/images/agile-supply-chain/thoughtleadership_hospital_healthcare.jpg.webp?itok=bkAqKZ1l) ](/resources/resource-center/podcast-episode-8-kerrie-hoffman-on-evolving-from-industrial-to-digital-supply-chains) ##### Podcast Episode 8: Kerrie Hoffman on Evolving from Industrial to Digital Supply Chains Supply chain expert and CEO Kerrie Hoffman joins Roddy Martin to discuss how the pharmaceutical industry is moving from an industrial age to a digital age. [View More](/resources/resource-center/podcast-episode-8-kerrie-hoffman-on-evolving-from-industrial-to-digital-supply-chains) [ ![Digital Supply Networks White Paper Cover Image](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/2021-04/Digital-Supply-Networks-White-Paper-ebook-cover-image.png.webp?itok=u69Hu1rL) ](/resources/resource-center/digital-supply-networks-white-paper) ##### The Future of Pharma: How Digital Supply Networks are Changing the Face of Supplier Relationship Management Improve delivery performance by 82%. Reduce manufacturing disruptions by 97%. A new evolution in supplier management is here. [View More](/resources/resource-center/digital-supply-networks-white-paper)