Model your Supply Chain in a Graph Database | Part 4. Model your Supply Chain in a Graph Database | Part 4

This article is the last part of a four-part series on Supply Chains and Graph Databases. Part 4 focuses on visualizing a graph using PowerBI and the force-directed graph visual. The article explains how to transform SQL Graph data into a compatible format for the visual and how to link the data to the visual fields for beautiful rendering of the graph. The visualization tool enables interactive exploration of supply chain relationships and informed decision-making.

Part 1: Understanding Supply Chains

Part 1 provides an introduction to supply chains, explains how they function as workflows, outlines the benefits of using graph databases to store and analyze supply chain data, and highlights the importance of using graphs to validate data and discover relationships for effective communication with stakeholders.

Part 2: Enabling SQL Graph

Part 2 focuses on enabling SQL Graph, a feature in Microsoft SQL Server that supports graph data and queries, and how to use it to represent supply chains as graphs and nodes. It provides examples of queries and explains how they can be simplified and optimized with SQL Graph.

Part 3: Reaping Graph Rewards

Part 3 discusses the benefits of using graph data models, including the ease of querying relationships, tracking data changes, and detecting anomalies. It also explains how graph queries can be used to visualize and optimize supply chains for increased efficiency and effectiveness.

Conclusion

By applying graph databases to supply chain management, businesses can better understand and optimize their operations. Graph data models provide simpler, more declarative queries that are easily verifiable, enabling businesses to quickly identify missing or incorrect data and make informed decisions. Visualization tools such as PowerBI and the force-directed graph visual make it easy to explore the relationships within supply chains, identify areas for improvement, and stimulate discovery and innovation.