Whether your company makes car parts, blenders or chocolate-chip cookies, today’s global supply chains pose numerous risks to manufacturers. Catastrophes like the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster can suddenly cut off supplies. Arcane regulations covering conflict minerals or hazardous chemicals can blindside unwitting purchasing managers. And, of course, there are plain old, run-of-the-mill quality problems to contend with. Worse, thanks to 20 years of emphasis on lean manufacturing, manufacturers have little or no inventory to buffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

Fortunately, advances in software, communications and networking technology have made it easier than ever to get up-to-the-minute information on the status of raw materials, parts and finished products.