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.

IoT, AI, wearables, blockchain & RPA are providing seamless and hassle-free management of supply chain flows while cutting down operating costs. Right from product development to its sale, organizations have to pay special attention to streamlining the internal activities for creating an impact on the organization's bottom line. For offering expeditious service to customers and to gain competitive advantage in the market, in this fast-paced digital world, companies should revise their supply chain activities and services with a focus on appropriate business strategies and state-of-the-art technologies. Technologies will enhance the speed, dynamics, and resilience of internal, as well as, external supply chain operations, which will, in turn, strengthen customer relationships, leading to increased revenue flow. Let's see some key supply chain technological trends, which will soon redefine the current practices, thereby helping companies experience operational efficiencies, market valuation, and financial growth.

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.

The supply chain industry is in a state of transition and transformation. New technology such as AI, Big Data and machine learning is making life easier for industry executives as an ever-increasing number of companies begin to digitise their offerings. In order to stay ahead in a dynamic and continuously evolving industry, businesses must trial technology to increase efficiency. The technology giants, IBM Watson, understands the challenge that supply chains face. The company has announced Watson Supply Chain Insights, an AI-based solution that enables supply chain professionals to get through a data overload for enhanced visibility throughout the entire supply chain.

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.

What are the key skills supply chain professionals should be developing in an AI-enabled future? "I'm a great believer in great passion," says Ron Castro, Vice President, IBM Supply Chain. And it's just as well given that Ron is responsible for all strategy, execution, and transformation of IBM's US$70Bn global end-to-end supply chain, delivering to clients across more than 170 countries. "Always be as bold and as fast as you can," he says. "I've never looked back in a transformation and thought'Darn it! I wish I had gone slower.' There's always room to be bolder and to go faster."

How can AI help supply chain professionals streamline their processes and improve visibility? Did you ever manage to find out what happened when one of your shipping containers went missing? Are you able to recover your products in time? Many global companies are struggling with this in an ever-changing, digitised world where there is an increasing demand for transparency and visibility. Consumer satisfaction is being tested by speed of delivery, and as a result, accuracy in your supply chain is essential.

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.

Global businesses are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the enterprise and product offerings at an increasing rate. After decades of research by academic, government and corporate research and development, this cutting-edge technology has matured and become affordable. In 2016 alone, McKinsey analysts noted that companies spent between $26-$39 billion on AI investments. However, the research firm also uncovered a large gap between AI awareness, commitment and commercial adoption. Its research shows that less than 50% of CEOs across multiple vertical sectors have any plans associated with AI deployment.

As far as emerging technologies go, Chatbots are everywhere. They are the automated agent customers talk to when they dial a customer service hotline; the personal assistants embedded in smart phones and many smart devices; they exist in cars to make driving easier; they can even entertain people who want to chat for fun or even provide emotional support for when someone needs companionship. Many different kinds of chatbots have been built to bring conversional user experience to the masses, and in 2016 alone, more than 34,000 different chatbots were built. And this trend is only increasing. The 2018 Chatbots Market Report, which was just released on March 21st 2018, predicts the global chatbot market will grow with a Compounded Annual Growth rate (CAGR) of 27.5% between now and 2024.