TrusTrace vs. Excel
In this article
Overview
TrusTrace transforms static spreadsheets into dynamic business insights. With network mapping, traceability visualizations, and analytics, we provide a complete view of your supply chain. This enables smarter decision-making, operational efficiency, and new opportunities for growth.
This article compares traditional spreadsheet-based methods with digital traceability platforms, demonstrating why TrusTrace is the smarter, scalable solution for supply chain data management.
Data Management
Manual vs. Automated Data Management
| Feature | TrusTrace | Excel |
|---|---|---|
| Data Collection | Automated data extraction from uploaded documents. | Manually entered, increasing data errors. |
| Data Storage & Structuring | Centralized cloud-based repository with search and filter functionalities | Multiple spreadsheets stored locally on computers, emails or across shared folders. |
| Data Integrity | Verified data sources; automated validation | Manual validation of missing or incorrect data; often outdated data |
| Scalability | Data from thousands of PO or shipments processed at scale and in real time | Dependent on your staff; Becomes unmanageable with large PO volumes. |
| Data Analysis | Data is augmented into visual reports and analytics dashboards for fast insights | Data fragmented across spreadsheets and takes extra effort to organize it into visual reports and business insights. |
TrusTrace automates data collection to bring you fast and efficient business analysis. It reduces errors, saves time and unlocks new insights. If you continue with Excel as your only data management tool, you are limited to manual entry for increasing order volume and scaling challenges.
Supply Chain Mapping
Dynamic Mapping vs. Static Supplier Lists
| Feature | TrusTrace | Excel |
|---|---|---|
| Supplier Network Visualization | Interactive, multi-tier supply chain mapping from trusted public databases. | Manual, limited to lists in spreadsheets and the data you have. |
| Data Linkage | Uses AI to analyze and connect data found in transactions, shipments and certifications from all entities to quickly generate a traceability map | Requires manual cross-referencing to link together entities and form a traceability map. Requires a lot of manual hours. |
| Supplier Communication | Easy to communicate with suppliers and for them to upload information you need onto TrusTrace for supply chain mapping. | Email-based with a lot of back-and-forth communications to get the correct data and in the right format. |
| Traceability Across Tiers | Passive collection of relevant data from intelligence databases, and indirect suppliers (beyond Tier 1 or 2). | Difficult to extend beyond your direct suppliers (often only Tier 1). |
TrusTrace provides a dynamic, real-time supply chain map, which is easy for suppliers to use. For Enterprise level customers, we also provide supplier onboarding and training to ease the adoption and collection of hard-to-get data. Excel requires constant manual updates to keep the data relevant, leading to inefficiencies.
Due Diligence
Proactive Due Diligence vs Reactive Risk Response
| Feature | TrusTrace | Excel |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory Compliance | Automated sustainability reporting and data collection solutions tailored to each regulation. | Manual tracking, error-prone; lacks regulatory data requirements |
| Risk Identification | AI-powered risk screening in supplier networks | Requires manual analysis |
| Audit Readiness | Stores transaction and scope certificates, evidence for compliance checks and records of audits | Requires manual collation, verification and validation. |
| Real-Time Alerts | Notifications of compliance risks like expiring certificates or discrepancies in data. | No built-in alerts for data errors or expirations. |
| Integration with other software | Integrates with third-party risk databases and other supply chain software. | Cross-check data between spreadsheets one-by-one. |
TrusTrace ensures continuous compliance monitoring and risk screening with AI-powered capabilities, interoperability between software, and real-time insights. Excel requires extensive manual effort as you remain clicking between worksheet to worksheet get collect and interpret the data.
Operational Costs
High ROI vs. Labor-Intensive
| Feature | TrusTrace | Excel |
|---|---|---|
| Time Investment | Lower total cost of ownership with automated workflows, structured data collection, integrations and a centralized data hub. | Labor-intensive data entry requires constant updating of fragmented data. You need to create and continually maintain your own databases. |
| Cost Efficiency | Reduces costs associated with compliance failures, fines, and inefficiencies | Higher operational costs due to manual workload and compliance flags. |
| Interoperability | Integrates with ERP, PLM, and third-party compliance platforms. | No direct integration; relies on manual data transfer |
| Decision-Making | Real-time analytics for informed decision-making | Data fragmentation hinders insights |
TrusTrace is continually innovating on technology and uses AI to maintain advancement to ensure our platform helps brands and suppliers to minimize costs and streamlines operations. Limiting yourself to using Excel to track and report on supply chain risk, compliance and impact means to risk costly errors due to manual work, inefficiencies and thus higher long-term costs.
Final Verdict
If you want faster supply chain business insights to act on sustainability risks and business compliance choose TrusTrace
TrusTrace is built for brands and manufacturers that need real-time, automated, and scalable supply chain traceability. It enables companies to know, prove, and improve their sustainability impact, comply with evolving regulations, and mitigate supply chain risks effectively.
While Excel may serve as a cost-effective tool for data management, it cannot keep up with the increasing complexity of global supply chains and data analytics. Investing in a traceability platform like TrusTrace ensures compliance, operational efficiency, and reliable data, making it the smarter choice for companies serious about sustainability and transparency.
Empower Your Supply Chain with TrusTrace
Ready to move beyond spreadsheets? TrusTrace helps brands and suppliers standardize supply chain and PO traceability, ensuring compliance and reducing risk. Let’s build a future where all value chains are traceable, circular, and fair. Contact us today to get started with TrusTrace.
ready to trace?
