Investment in smarter technologies is likely to become an industry benchmark rather than a differentiator, says Renko Bergh, COO of Forte Supply Chain Consulting Group.
The exponential increase in the number of technology platforms and services, with the ability for different systems to integrate via the Internet of Things (IoT), has already created a level of standard requirements within the industry. A process, he says, that is sure to continue.
“Not only will this benchmarking of technology and services create a level of product standard, but also the level of expertise required within the industry,” he says.
Skilled workforce talent well-versed in digital technologies and systems however remains one of the greatest challenges for industry at present, he says.
“Supply chain managers might effectively transform hiring practices to include data science skills going forward. The lack of understanding of the emerging technologies and their likely impact on business is undeniably the biggest challenge for organisations. Those that fail to evolve will probably be left behind,” he warns.
Keeping up with technology is crucial.
“The increased free flow of data between vehicles and applications, with the hardware inevitably becoming increasingly integrated with the vehicles, will ensure that accurate instructions to point of delivery improve,” says Bergh. “The supply chain industry focus on perfect order deliveries is achievable with the use of smart and connected devices. With new smart devices that are being released every month, from tablets to voice-controlled systems, the perfect order delivery becomes more achievable.”
He adds that data visualisation is practically a technology on its own and presents users with information that enables the immediate adjustment of operations and faster decision-making abilities.
“During the past two years we have spent a lot of energy within our Forte Data Solutions division, positioning and developing our integration platform-asa-service, or iPaaS – called FLOW,” he says.
This cloud-based platform enables users to connect and display existing applications, regardless of whether they’re on the premises or in the cloud, without having to add layers to their infrastructure within a web-based portal platform.
“The feedback that remains constant for me is that information provided in real-time (even from different source systems) on a single platform provides the base for data-driven decision making.”
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Perfect order deliveries are achievable with the use of smart and connected devices. – Renko Bergh
