Customers are increasingly taking low cost and higher quality for granted and are demanding product availability as soon as the need arises. Thus, time has become today's competitive factor. In order to survive, companies need to provide more value for less cost in less time. Supply chains are becoming more agile - they must be able to respond quickly, adapting their products and processes to changes in market demand. Working closely with customers and vendors is a requirement for companies to stay competitive; they must be able to collaborate and share information across a dynamic network of partners. This involves the use of new technology to enable a fast and efficient flow of goods and information. A plant can no longer be a "black box" with no view into production status. Emerging standards in supply chain and inventory processing such as RFID will further complicate the ability to employ a truly integrated solution. Organizations must be willing to share views with their customers and suppliers into factors like production status, stocks and schedules. And they must begin by making information visible (or "transparent") in their own company.