The continued disruption of supply chains suggests that the challenges of the COVID-19 era have been more than a blip in an otherwise stable period of global business. Supply chain professionals must consider that this instead marks the beginning of a new era of continuous disruption -- and it's time to take proactive action to prepare. Technology increasingly appears to offer promising answers to complex problems in business operations, and the supply chain is no different. Logistics professionals should explore integrating cutting-edge systems, particularly those centered around artificial intelligence, to fill gaps that the human workforce can't effectively manage. By combining human oversight and experience with the AI tools described below, leaders can better protect supply chains against current and future global challenges.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way supply chains operate. By helping to automate the analysis of large data sets and making it easier to identify trends in data, AI frees up time for supply chain professionals to engage in value-added activities that only humans can carry out. For example, even the best technology is no substitute for the uniquely human relationship-building skills that support listening to stakeholders, communicating effectively with business partners, innovating and thinking strategically about how to approach challenges. Through its AI in supply chain research, APQC has found that there are at least six new skills that supply chain employees need to develop or enhance as the result of AI adoption. While some of these are technical skills, most are soft skills that help supply chain professionals to forge stronger relationships, work more effectively with partners and solve complex problems.

Automation has become a'catch-all' term for the use of technology to address a range of tasks and business objectives. Although the whole business world has been swept up in the hype and optimism surrounding automation, the impact within the supply chain profession has been particularly significant, due to the fact that we can benefit from both physical automation (e.g. If we focus specifically on software-based automation, supply chain professionals are advantageously positioned. We have extensive experience leveraging technology to improve operational efficiency and streamline processes. Solutions such as inventory management, supply chain control towers or source to pay platforms have given us firsthand knowledge of how to (and how not to) select, implement and monitor enterprise technology.

AI can help supply chain professionals make better decisions, more efficiently and in a more repeatable way over time. At this point, supply chain professionals might be getting a bit impatient with AI. You've likely heard how this technology is poised to revolutionise the supply chain. The obvious question is: what's in it for me and my bottom-line performance? Supply chain professionals need to understand how AI will reduce costs and/or increase revenues.