Longer transportation chains; more complex business processes and the need for sophisticated management structures increasingly complicate the demand for agility within modern supply chains. Visibility of materials, information and cost with both local and global reach is crucial to inform decision-making, but is often limited by the range, granularity and timeliness of available data. This paper discusses how the effective integration of data carrier technologies with distributed computer systems and network communications could provide a more inclusive model for delivering item-level information and hence improved visibility. Termed item-attendant information and communications technology, this rich and inclusive model can provide the capability to see, understand and react intelligently to market, environmental and process requirements within limited lime frames, thereby improving supply chain agility. The paper will review key issues associated with global supply management and identify how item-attendant ICT could provide solutions to many of the current challenges.-Abstract from conference proceedings