Unlocking the Future of Supply Chain: How Technology Adoption is Revolutionizing Operations

In the supply chain industry, technology adoption has become a crucial aspect of modernizing and improving operations. Wanda Johnson, a supply chain technology fellow at Deloitte Consulting LLP, recently presented the findings of the firm’s annual industry survey in collaboration with MHI. The report, which involved over 1,500 executives, takes a “human-centric, technology-driven” approach to the topic.

Now in its 10th year, the study aimed to address major issues that have emerged over the past decade. The focus was on helping industry leaders and workers understand how trends are evolving, where the industry is headed and what the future might hold. The report emphasizes change management as an essential aspect of implementing new technologies and ensuring employees are prepared to adapt to their evolving roles in the workplace.

Robotics, automation and artificial intelligence were identified as key themes in the survey. Generative AI was noted for its potential to enhance human capabilities, facilitate reskilling and provide valuable data for predicting outcomes and improving decision-making processes. Data governance was also highlighted as crucial to ensure accurate results from clean data.

While AI offers significant benefits in processing large amounts of data and assisting with decision-making processes, Johnson cautions against relying solely on AI-generated recommendations without proper monitoring. It is essential for planners to carefully review data generated by AI systems and leverage them effectively alongside human expertise for optimal results in the supply chain industry.