Technology
Go to PartnersTechnology can be a game changer but it keeps evolving and new ideas and solutions are created all the time some of which could disrupt your industry Technology is increasingly at the heart of every supply chain. Here at the Digital Supply Chain Hub we work with a range of advanced technologies including future networks, distributed systems, IoT and AI. Systems, technology and access to data provide information and visibility, and help managers make decisions to deliver customer orders accurately, on-time and competitively. This module will help you understand some of these solutions and how they can help your supply chain improve. Poor Technology implementation can have a bad reputation for the time and cost involved – the module includes some tips on how to manage this. Finally, you need to consider cybersecurity, which is unfortunately more important than ever and needs to be considered
Technology is increasingly at the heart of every supply chain, providing information and visibility, supporting decision-making and enabling efficient and accurate end-to-end demand fulfilment. Technology continuously evolves so effective adoption requires an up-to-date understanding of current IT systems and infrastructure. This can include appropriate IT support and an increasing choice of innovative equipment and hardware, ranging from RFID tags and readers to autonomous mobile robots, and increasingly use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
Technology solutions need planning and support to be implemented effectively and accessibly. This could include enabling new and disruptive digital technologies to work alongside existing legacy machines. For example, integrating robotics and automation alongside existing CNC machinery to automate simple processes. Extensive data sharing, reliance on cloud-based systems and use of sensors and other devices connected to the Internet Of Things means that cybersecurity is increasingly important. Software, hardware and people must all be prepared to avoid data losses, hacking or other threats to IT infrastructure.
Pause and reflect on following questions:
- What technologies have you seen or heard about working in your peers and competitors?
- Are you confident that your IT infrastructure can withstand cyber-attacks?
- Is data collected, stored and analysed safely and in a way to support decision making and provide required information to partners and customers?
Why does this matter?
Technology keeps evolving and new ideas and solutions are created all the time, some of which could disrupt your industry. New technology also needs to integrate with existing equipment either working alongside or as a replacement. Proper IT system integration allows existing data to be transferred, ensures data monitoring is reliable and all systems work as intended. Well-configured and maintained IT infrastructure keeps data private and secure and withstands cyberattack.
What does good look like?
- Up-to-date knowledge of emerging technologies and new developments
- Awareness of how competitors are using technology in their business
- Current IT systems are fully documented
- Compliance with cybersecurity recommended practice and standards
- IT department is sufficiently resourced
- Effective IT support function keeping systems, equipment and devices running without unplanned stoppages
How can we improve?
Digital supply chain technology can provide information and visibility, support decision-making and enable efficient and accurate end-to-end demand fulfilment.
An important aspect of technology adoption is how it will integrate with existing machinery and equipment. While the functional capability of the technology should be the priority, if it's going to take a long time to implement, it may be preferable to choose a slightly less capable solution with a pre-built integration to your existing systems.
One area which can be overlooked when implementing new technologies is the quality of underlying data. New systems and equipment may require data that has not previously been a concern, for example, accurate dimensions and weights for every product. Checking and updating data such as this can be a time-consuming exercise, and you will also need to establish processes to ensure that this required data is also provided for any future changes.
Digital technologies can be key enablers of improved collaboration, for example, sharing information with suppliers. Systems need to be accessible to permitted suppliers and partners, whilst ensuring that they see only data relevant to the products they supply. Although sharing information across the supply chain is proven to be powerful in improving availability and reducing the bullwhip effect, it's important to agree principles for joint decision-making with supply chain partners.
Digital technologies can help you to develop new business models. For example, can products provide information back to your business to predict the need for maintenance? Could you provide enhanced functions to your customers, giving them additional value whilst also generating a new revenue stream? New products can also be designed with integrated digital features.
Any data collected and held by the business must comply with data regulations, in particular regarding privacy and security of customer information. IT architecture must therefore ensure efficient data transfer and sharing, while maintaining the highest standards of security to withstand hacking and cyber-attacks.
Explore Further
Increased connectivity opens up new risks and avenues for attack. Take action to ensure your supply chain is appropriately protected and resilient.
Read more
Ensuring underlying data quality is a key consideration when starting your digital supply chain journey.
Read more
Singular Intelligence worked with Cranswick, a leading UK food producer and Sainsbury, a supermarket on their pork supply chain supply and demand imbalances.
Read moreYou’ve read about some of the ways to use technology to improve your supply chain, and I hope the case studies have shown some of the new solutions out there.
Now have a look at the exercise, which first asks you to think about those opening questions –
- Is your technology providing the right level of support across the supply chain?
- Are you using data to make better decisions and collaborate with suppliers and customers?
Consider where on the journey your business is and what the next priorities for improvement are.
Work through the exercise template, ideally with your team, and this will lead you to some actions to continue your journey towards a digital supply chain.
Interactive Exercise
Consider the current supply chain challenges and priorities for improvement in your business. Work through the exercise template, ideally with your team, and this will lead you to some actions to continue your journey towards a digital supply chain.
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