Stressed supply chains affect revenue and productivity and interfere with our own lives. What technologies are used by those whose supply chains still function well?

According to supply chain data, we seem to be at about the same level of supply chain efficiency as last year, in 2021, which is not good. Several issues have contributed to supply chain disruptions, including the pandemic, labor shortages in trucking and other industries, etc. There is no question that supply chain and logistics systems are not up to dealing with these anomalies.

In this case, it’s more about information and intelligence than changing external issues you cannot control. Researchers have discovered that the organizations that could still deliver on time in 2021 now employ the same set of concepts, including the ability to use brilliant automation to work around problems. 

To do this, they are not just using simple data but true intelligence that may not be able to solve all supply chain issues. Still, it could remove many obstacles we encounter in making and shipping products today. Some companies stockpile parts ahead of anticipated shortages determined by AI systems before other businesses see them, or they automate re-engineering aspects of the finished product to substitute different elements without creating quality issues. 

Intelligent supply chain automation is not a new concept. I am sure those who specialize in supply chains know it very well. Supply chains have been subjected to some deep thinking about automating them more effectively for years.

As far as I can tell, less than 5% of companies that depend on supply chains for revenue have implemented these systems. But what’s most interesting is that the cost of the technology is never an issue. The systems must often be customized for a particular organization, adding more cost and risk.