Category: Digital Supply Chain

The Digital Supply Chain is the manifestation of all the technologies enabling the end to end electronic connectivity of the Supply Chain.

Creating a Smart Supply Chain in the Era of Disruption!

Shiny New Technology or Back to the Basics? What is Your Strategy?

In a recent article on CIO Dive, The state of AI across 5 industries, I read that “retailers now have a call to action to use AI. They want to improve middle and back-office functions, including improved financial forecasting and supply chain management.”

This article resonated with me quite well, as it coincided with my recent panel at last week’s BGSA Supply chain conference. The panel “Managing Technology in This Era of Disruption” covered how to leverage new technologies like artificial intelligence and advanced analytics so companies can enable customer success strategies.

Fascinating topic on its own.

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7 Technologies to Optimize Supply Chain!

Stand Out Digital Supply Chain Strategies!

Advanced technologies to optimize Supply Chain are believed to be the springboard on which you can make your business successful and competitive. 

Leveraging relevant technology in the supply chain from the moment your suppliers bring in raw materials, during storage of the materials and manufactured products in the warehouse, and distribution of products to the final consumer can increase efficiency, boost production, reduce time wastage and improve business revenues. 

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Digital Identity Solutions for the Manufacturing Industry!

What is the Digital Supply Chain?

In the age of digital transformation, the manufacturing industry is embracing innovative technologies to stay competitive. One such area of focus is the implementation of digital identity solutions, which play a critical role in securing access to systems and data, streamlining identity verification processes, and improving operational efficiency. 

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What is Supply Chain? According to ChatGPT!

What is ChatGPT?

There has been a lot of interest in ChatGPT since its launch in November, 2022. When we wrote our article, “What is ChatGPT?” in February of 2023 at which time it was the fastest app ever.

According to mlyearning.org, ChatGPT had over 1.6 billion users in March 2023. The interest in this app and technology is unprecedented.

Curious to understand more about what it is and how it worked, I asked ChatGPT to write an 800 word essay on the definition of Supply Chain Management.

Here are the results as to what is Supply Chain Management, according to ChatGPT.

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The Supply Chain Renaissance Has Begun!

Imagining the Supply Chain of the Future!

The term Renaissance is widely associated with the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries in Europe, denoted by the dramatically renewed interest in, and advancement of, art, science, literature, learning, composition and exploration.

Dozens and dozens of perpetually famous individuals made their enduring mark during this period, including Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Galileo, Shakespeare, Marco Polo, the Medicis, Martin Luther, and Gutenberg, to name but a few.

The 21st century marks a similar period for Supply Chain. Never in history have we heard so much about Supply Chain, its critical importance to every aspect of our lives, and its role in shaping the very fabric of our future.

The Supply Chain Renaissance has begun!

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Think Global Logistics! (Podcast)

Supply Chain’s Moment of Truth Has Arrived!

We are at an interesting inflection point in the history of Supply Chain and Logistics. It is no longer sufficient to think locally. We must think global logistics!

I recently had the opportunity to talk with La Chang, CEO at Think Global Logistics (TGL). Here is that Podcast!

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13 Predictions for Logistics!

The Resilient Supply Chain! Passing Fad or Long Term Strategy?

The logistics market is projected to hit $12,975.64 billion by 2027, registering a 6.5% growth rate from 2020 – and it’s no surprise why. 

As the world continues to get interconnected, consumers continue demanding readily available goods at short notice. For these demands to be met, we need resilient supply chain models along with an understanding of our predictions for logistics.

The weak link in supply chains over the years has been transportation. In response, companies are working to offer great value to customers’ demands, while keeping their transport logistics budget sustainable.

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Supply Chain Visibility Has Never Been More Important!

The Toilet Paper Supply Chain!

In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic the need for complete, end to end Supply Chain visibility has never been more important!

The necessity for visibility started with store shelves being emptied of toilet paper, food, and various household items. People were panic buying in the face of the unknown implications of the pandemic. More and more countries and jurisdictions were locking down their citizens, temporarily shutting down businesses and enforcing social distancing and self isolation.

The chronic need for Supply Chain visibility has become of utmost importance with the overwhelming strains on global healthcare systems and networks. Hospitals and support organizations have been running low on masks, personal protective equipment and ventilators.

Most alarming is that projections of the heightened demand for these items are not met with broad visibility as to the supply and inventory of these items.

Supply Chain visibility and the Digital Supply Chain has never been more important!

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An Outlook for the Future of Supply Chain!

Supply Chain as a Service (SCaaS)!
Get Our Inventory ManagementEBOOK HERE

The purpose of this article is to introduce an outlook for Supply Chain and my view on the current and future state of Supply Chain Management; aiming to continue growing my network of like-minded professionals.

Upon graduating with a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 2017, I started my Supply Chain career planning inventory and managing orders on Excel to fulfil online consumer and retail business demand for a haircare product.

Albeit with dynamic data to analyse and understand, the manual and repetitive nature of many tasks confirmed my interest in roles exploiting technology and automation. As a digital native born at the end of the millennial era, it is fair to say I also expect nothing less.

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What is Deep Learning? And What Does it Mean for Supply Chain?

Preparing Business for the Digital Supply Chain! (Oracle Interviews Mike Mortson)

When I start writing text messages or emails these days I automatically receive prompts for the next words that I may want to use, or even phrases to complete my sentence, as I’m typing.

The word and phrase suggestions are ones that are consistent with the type of language I would use. And the name suggestions are unique to people I know and communicate with regularly.

My Google mini recognizes family voices instantaneously and responds not only to our questions but adds custom comments directed at each of us individually.

It’s clear to me that my computer and smart phone and Google mini are learning what language I typically use. With increasing accuracy they can predict what I might want to write next based on words I am typing. And the voice activated devices are increasingly interactive.

How does this Machine Learning, or Deep Learning, actually work? And how will it shape Supply Chain now and in the future?

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How to Optimize Your Factory for Industry 4.0!

Industry 4.0 – Smart Manufacturing of the Future! (Infographic)

Believe it or not, Industry 4.0 — the latest specialization for modern factories and manufacturing plants — does factor into design and and help optimize your factory layout. That is because digitization, or the current movement to connect and bring all equipment into modern times, absolutely influences design.

In essence, that is the heart of Industry 4.0, a complete synergy between operations, equipment, properties and, of course, the people who spend their time there. If 3.0 was about automation and boosting efficiency, this generation is about injecting the human touch back into the work environment, and that means accommodating such things from a design standpoint.

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Smart Manufacturing: 5 Factors That Make Your Factory Smart!

Industry 4.0 – Smart Manufacturing of the Future! (Infographic)

The manufacturing industry has been changing rapidly, aided by the newest software systems and machinery. Consumers continue to demand customized products, adding to the challenge of low-cost production.

Manufacturers have been forced to look hard at their production methods, labor costs, and transportation expenses, among numerous other areas throughout the organization. This focus has resulted in the emergence of smart factories in which machines and software share information and collaborate as never before.

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How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Change Decision Making!

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Over the Next Half Decade!

From The Terminator to Blade Runner, pop culture has always leaned towards a chilling depiction of artificial intelligence (AI) and our future with AI at the helm. Recent headlines about Facebook panicking because their AI bots developed a language of their own have us hitting the alarm button once again. Should we really feel unsettled with an AI future?

News flash: that future is here. If you ask Siri, the helpful assistant who magically lives inside your phone, to read text messages and emails to you, find the nearest pizza place or call your mother for you, then you’ve made AI a part of your everyday life.

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Digital Procurement Ecosystem Creation in 8 Minutes!

What is the Digital Supply Chain?

I was in Paris last week, touring around as people do in Paris, and visited Fondation Louis Vuitton. What does that have to do with a Digital Procurement ecosystem?

If you’ve never been before and are a fan of art, architecture, and culture, I can highly recommend adding it to any future itineraries.

The museum’s collections are magnificent, and the building itself is a true masterpiece. Beyond the artwork, Fondation Louis Vuitton offers an experience to tour the multiple levels of decks that interweave themselves between the inside and the outside of the building’s structure.

On one of the decks sits a piece of artwork named “Where the Slaves Live”. It is a living organism, composed of inorganic and organic materials, forming a ‘living sculpture’ that is a small scale ecosystem- an ever-changing work of art.

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The Industry 4.0 Ecosystem!

The Industrial Revolution from Industry 1.0 to 5.0!

The Industry 4.0 Ecosystem involves leveraging the latest technologies, digital capabilities, the unprecedented dissemination of IoT (the Internet of Things) and the incredible ability to tap into data anywhere and everywhere in the Supply Chain.

The level of digital connectivity across the entire End-to-End Supply Chain, from customers through to manufacturers, distributors, logistics companies, and suppliers of all kinds enables this forward leap to an Industry 4.0 world.

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