This month's CBR focuses on the issue of "visibility," which our IT systems are supposed to provide for us. Visibility may not be the first thing that comes to mind when people think about the benefits of computerization. But it is, in fact, extremely important -- and for more reasons than the costs of just-in-case inventory. Visibility into operations provides a basis for better decisionmaking and allows us to service our customers more promptly. One company I know jokes about the lack of visibility in their systems with a turn of phrase that comes up anytime they have to check the status of an order: "Five calls does it all." This expression makes clear the potential customer service consequences of lack of visibility, as well as the efficiency losses that can result.