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Strengthening Supply Chain Visibility Through Connected Systems

Managing a global supply chain requires more than visibility into shipments. It requires reliable processes, connected systems, and the ability to manage supplier and logistics activity consistently from purchase order creation through final delivery.

For more than 50 years, Kids2 has designed and manufactured products for infants, babies, and toddlers around the world. Supporting families during some of life’s earliest stages means maintaining high standards for quality, safety, and operational excellence throughout the business. As the organization continued to enhance its supply chain operations, the goal was clear: create greater visibility across purchase orders, shipments, documentation, and supplier activity while improving process consistency and operational control.

Kids2 began working with Allport Cargo Services in 2023 and followed a coordinated implementation path that culminated in a successful go-live in September 2024. The onboarding process coincided with the company’s transition to a new ERP platform, requiring close coordination between systems, data management, operational processes, and internal change management efforts. Today, that partnership continues through DP World Purchase Order Management (POM), helping provide cleaner information, stronger visibility, and more dependable workflows across the supply chain.

By aligning required purchase order fields between Kids2’s ERP platform and Infor Nexus, the organization improved the connection between planning activities and logistics execution. More consistent information at the start of the process supports downstream booking activity, documentation management, shipment updates, and reporting.

Orders can now be tracked from order creation through final destination within a single platform, providing line-level visibility throughout the shipment lifecycle. This enables teams to spend less time searching for information and more time focusing on exception management and operational execution.

Enhanced booking reports have also improved transportation visibility by providing a clearer view of utilization against routing guide requirements, contract expectations, and allocation commitments. Rather than manually compiling information from multiple sources, teams can quickly identify areas requiring follow-up and focus on continuous process improvement.

Beyond shipment visibility, the platform has helped strengthen supplier management and operational governance. Direct Importer Security Filing (ISF) capabilities, structured exception management workflows, and supplier visibility tools support a more connected approach to managing import operations.

For Kids2, supplier standards extend beyond product quality. Suppliers are expected to meet defined requirements related to compliance, conduct, and responsible business practices. Improved visibility provides a more consistent way to monitor performance, identify gaps, and support ongoing accountability.

As more supplier and logistics activity flows through Infor Nexus, the resulting data supports stronger KPI reporting across vendors, carriers, bookings, lanes, and exceptions. This foundation creates opportunities for enhanced supplier scorecarding and performance measurement aligned with business objectives.

By combining visibility, process discipline, supplier management, and operational control, DP World POM has helped Kids2 build a stronger supply chain foundation that supports continued growth while maintaining the standards families expect from the Kids2 brands.