SUPPLY CHAIN
“ The adoption of AI and ML remains too low , due to unfounded concerns around control ”
WAYNE SNYDER VP RETAIL INDUSTRY STRATEGY EMEA , BLUE YONDER
“ there will be opportunities to glean intelligent analysis and insights to improve business operations and efficiency ”.
On SCM solutions , trust is an issue for the future , according to Snyder , whereas an issue at present is that businesses cannot afford to drag their feet on digitalisation .
“ It ’ s imperative that businesses do not choose to stick with legacy SCM software , rather than upgrade ,” he says , adding : “ Companies must adopt the latest technology to support operations , resolve disruption and minimise risk , because supply chain challenges look set to continue .”
He adds that recent Blue Yonder research found that just 3 % of organisations have escaped supply chain disruption in the past 12 months .
Crucial to leverage AI and ML , says Blue Yonder Synder believes that , to stay ahead of today ’ s supply chain complexities and effectively manage their priorities , organisations must be able to plan intelligently , while having the visibility and flexibility to respond at pace .
“ This can only be achieved by having a real-time , end-to-end view of the supply chain ,” he says . “ This will leverage technologies such as AI to recommend and optimise actions , and it needs to be built into both short and long-term strategies .”
Snyder says the use of AI and machine learning ( ML ) to predict demand , optimise inventory and resolve issues at pace have proven critical over the past two years .
“ Improved decision-making – alongside better predictability , real-time insights , and tracking through IoT – are transforming the supply chain minute by minute ,” he says .
He points out that the Suez Canal blockage in March 2021 showed precisely how companies can overcome disruption by utilising such tools .
46 July 2022