Charlotte, N.C. —VirtualView allows users to see the breadth of their supply and distribution network, according to LIS, a supply chain software maker.

"Imagine a supply chain that automatically reroutes orders around warehouse bottlenecks, inventory shortages and transport delays," said Bob Carver, vice president of sales and marketing for LIS.

VirtualView creates a real-time view of the extended supply chain through constant monitoring and reacts to exceptions in the normal flow of events, such as too much inventory in one location and not enough in another. The program uses data from existing warehouse management systems to determine what are normal and abnormal events in the customer's chain, Carver said.