Unlocking the Future – Key Supply Chain Tech Trends to Embrace

By: George Mathew

Technology has the potential to greatly improve the operations of supply chain management in every industry irrespective of their different operations. Logistics and supply chain management can become more efficient, transparent, and resilient by utilizing data-driven predictive capabilities and seamless system integration. However, companies must adopt a cohesive and strategic approach and make adequate investments to reap the benefits.

The latest supply chain management and logistics technology focuses on optimization, visibility, and integration. For instance, with optimization, companies can use transportation management systems to identify ways to consolidate orders, which may lead to a reduction in the number of inbound trailers or containers to a location. Additionally, real-time visibility has evolved from simply tracking and tracing trucks and containers, to providing insights into inventory levels, shipment status, and even potential disruptions. System integration in turn is what ties together the various pieces of supply chain digitization.

How do the latest technological developments in the supply chain embrace the future of organizations?

Collaboration: Improves operational efficiency and reduces cycle times

A collaborative approach brings several benefits, including improved operational efficiency, reduced cycle times, and cost savings. By collaborating on technological development, organizations can streamline their processes and workflows. This can involve automating repetitive tasks, implementing advanced software systems, or integrating different technologies. As a result, operational efficiency is enhanced, allowing for smoother and more productive operations. Collaboration for technological expansion offers significant benefits by improving operational efficiency, reducing cycle times, and lowering costs. By embracing technological advancements and working together, organizations can stay competitive, enhance their capabilities, and achieve sustainable growth.

Digitization provides real-time visibility:

Supply chain leaders understand the importance of digitalization and data transparency to enhance supply ecosystems. Digital twin technology will gain prominence as executives recognize its role in establishing a reliable source of information in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. This technology enables the creation of interoperable data models, ensuring accurate and consistent data throughout the supply chain. By embracing digital twins, organizations can achieve end-to-end digitalization and improve supply chain effectiveness.

Ubiquitous Digital industrial platforms enhance supply chain management:

Ubiquitous digital industrial platforms refer to the widespread adoption of digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and other innovative technologies, to enhance supply chain management. These technologies enable organizations to collect, analyze, and leverage vast amounts of data to gain valuable insights and make informed decisions. By integrating AI and ML into supply chain processes, organizations can optimize inventory management, demand forecasting, and logistics operations. This trend empowers businesses to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance overall supply chain performance.

AI/ML technologies enhance demand planning capabilities:

The widespread interest in ChatGPT opens opportunities for stakeholders to explore the use of advanced AI tools, especially predictive analytics, in supply chain management to improve demand planning capabilities. However, modern businesses must focus on the interpretability of predictions. In commercial and industrial settings, the need for efficient order management solutions depends on scalability and adaptability. Achieving this goal requires integrating uniformly automated and streamlined processes that use powerful technological tools such as AI and ML. As more executives adopt data-driven decision-making, it becomes essential to isolate predictions and construct models with changing input values.

Forecasting: transparency and long-term viability in the process

Forecasting transcending the obvious is a technological trend that goes beyond traditional forecasting methods to provide transparency and long-term viability in processes. It involves leveraging advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to uncover hidden patterns, insights, and future trends that may not be apparent through conventional forecasting approaches. By utilizing these technologies, organizations can gain a deeper understanding of their operations, make more accurate predictions, and ensure the long-term sustainability and success of their processes. This trend enables proactive decision-making and strategic planning based on comprehensive and reliable forecasts.

SpendEdge services that help organizations implement the latest supply chain tech trends

Supplier intelligence: Identify suppliers that provide innovative technology

Our methodology for narrowing down suppliers goes beyond historical filters like revenue and profits, performance, and service quality to find vendors who can bring the technologies that best fit the organizational requirements. By clearly defining business outcomes we provide the details of a potential supplier base to you out of which you can sort suppliers into quadrants based on operational and functional capabilities, later rank them to identify best-fit suppliers, and get additional information about the most suitable suppliers for engagement.

Technology enablement: Understanding the client’s technology need

At SpendEdge we offer technology enablement services that focus on understanding clients’ technology needs, digitizing procurement operations, and developing application architecture. This involves a comprehensive assessment of the client’s technology requirements and aligning them with their procurement goals. We help streamline and automate procurement processes through digitization, leveraging advanced technologies. Additionally, we assist in designing and implementing application architectures that optimize efficiency and effectiveness in procurement operations. By providing these services, SpendEdge enables clients to harness the power of technology to enhance their procurement capabilities and drive business success.

Aid in making valuable negotiation deals:

We provide expert negotiation advisory services to help clients achieve mutually satisfactory agreements. Our services can save time and resources, allowing clients to focus on their core responsibilities. By working with us, clients can identify opportunities for cost savings, favorable contract terms, or added incentives, which can help maximize the value of their negotiations. Our approach increases clients’ confidence and bargaining power, while also offering long-term cost savings by identifying ways to reduce expenses, improve terms, and secure favorable deals. The data we generate can be used to negotiate for better pricing and payment conditions, making negotiations more effective and efficient.

Success story: Chemical Company

Our client is a US-based chemical company that recently faced challenges in identifying and onboarding suppliers that could provide innovative technological solutions to digitize and optimize its procurement operations. The client also needed to stay ahead of future technology trends in the supply chain to maintain a competitive edge in the market.

Our experts at SpendEdge conducted a thorough analysis of the supplier landscape to identify potential technology partners for the chemicals industry. Using advanced tools, they assessed supplier capabilities, including infrastructure, innovation, and scalability. Key technology trends in the chemicals supply chain, such as blockchain for traceability and AI-driven analytics, were highlighted. Collaborating closely with the client, the team developed a tailored technology strategy, focusing on digitizing procurement, improving analytics, and optimizing supply chain visibility.

Our solutions significantly boosted the efficiency of the client’s procurement operations, elevating supply chain visibility and fostering improved collaboration with suppliers. Notably, the implemented measures also fortified the supply chain against emerging technologies, ensuring its resilience and adaptability for the future.

Contact us now to solve your procurement problems!

Author’s Details

George Mathew

Associate Vice President, Sourcing and Procurement Intelligence

George is a procurement specialist at Infiniti Research and provides advisory services to clients across the pharmaceutical, CPG & FMCG, energy, and automotive sectors. He specializes in the procurement areas of industry benchmarking, cost modeling, rate card benchmarking, negotiation advisory, and supplier intelligence.