DELOITTE
THE HACKETT GROUP
DELOITTE
Deloitte points out that , while 76 % of respondents to its Deloitte 2019 Supply Chain and Digital Analytics Survey agreed that AI and ML investment was crucial to their overall strategy , only 44 % invest at least $ 5mn into developing it .
This disparity is only emphasised by the organisation ’ s ‘ Building a cognitive digital supply network ’ article , which extolls the virtues of a balanced human-robot workforce by breaking down the augmentations of automation into three categories :
● Cognitive assistance
● Cognitive insights
● Cognitive engagement
The first two focus on the more ‘ mechanical ’ aspects of automation ( process assistance and data analytics ). RPA ( robotic process automation ) – described here by Deloitte – is an example of this : software observes and ‘ learns ’ repeatable patterns of behaviour by observing a computerised task performed by a person , which the software can then replicate .
The third aspect , however , manifests a more ‘ cerebral ’ or ‘ smart ’ form . AI robots programmed to recognise and emulate human interaction with logic and nuance ( chatbots ) can be invaluable for operational procurement by giving customers fast , intelligent solutions to common enquiries ( invoicing , payment , approval , etc ).
THE HACKETT GROUP
We spoke with Nicolas Walden , Senior Director at management consultancy The Hackett Group , on the topic of automated vehicles and their contemporary deployment in supply chains :
“ Mining companies , such as Rio Tinto and BHP Billington , have really been investing in this area by automating the trucks and heavy equipment they use ,” he says . “ It can drive a lot of value – not just in terms of saving costs , but also by reducing the necessary frequency of vehicle maintenance and increasing the standards of health and safety .”
However , Walden clarifies , it isn ’ t just this aspect of logistics or type of vehicles that could be enhanced by AI : cars , vans and even trains can be included . As 5G becomes
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