Logistics benchmarking can be broadly divided into two groups: transportation rate benchmarking and logistics performance benchmarking of logistics-specific metrics. Transportation rate benchmarking compares transportation rates against the market, whereas logistics performance benchmarking compares logistics performance against other companies by using logistics-specific key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics. Not all benchmarking service companies supply data for both or offer the same level of coverage and granularity.
Gartner defines supply chain planning (SCP) solutions as platforms that provide technological support to enable a company to manage, link, align, collaborate and share its planning data across an extended supply chain. An SCP solution supports planning, ranging from demand planning through detailed supply-side response planning and from strategic planning through execution-level planning. It is the planning decision repository for a defined end-to-end supply chain. It is also the environment in which end-to-end-integrated supply chain decisions are managed. It establishes a single version of the truth for planning data and decisions, regardless of the underlying execution technology environment. Organizations use SCP solutions to improve their supply chain planning decisions and reach higher levels of maturity.