The Language of Visual Business Intelligence

Visualising Supply Chains

Futuretech Labs - Monday, October 19, 2009
Sourcemap is a tool for producers, business owners and consumers to understand the impact of supply chains. The site is a social network where anyone can contribute to a shared understanding of the story behind products. You can simulate the impact of manufacturing, transporting, using and throwing away products using their Life-Cycle Assessment calculator. This web-based tool uses linked data from geological and geographic resources. Each 'Sourcemap' can be used to help market socially - and environmentally - conscious products and to buy carbon offsets. Supply chains published on the site can be embedded in external websites, printed onto product packaging or linked through QR codes readable by camera phones. As the site grows, suppliers will be able to contribute their products to the Sourcemap database, providing a geographic catalogue of materials and products around the world.

It really shows how our choices have significant impact. "Understanding the reach of our sourcing is fundamental to improving economic, social and environmental conditions."  

Check it out at http://www.sourcemap.org