As with many sectors, digital disruption is taking hold and is having a significant effect on procurement and supply chain practices. This disruption could lead to supply chain systems that are transparent, flexible and agile, also customer-centric, responsive and creating real value and not just delivering cost savings for organisations. Companies are no longer restricted by physical supply chains as they merge with the digital sphere. As digital takes hold, communications conducted by humans will be replaced by machine-to-machine interactions, and human intervention is likely to become more strategic.
The paper outlines 11 digital enablers in total:
- Cloud computing
- Internet of Things
- Big data
- Simulation tools and models
- Augmented reality
- RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Technology)
- Sensor Technology
- 3D printing
- Omni Channel (various customer channels)
- Artificial intelligence
- Robotics
3D printing is being used now to develop prototypes and small batches of components and products so support on return of Investment before wholesale production starts for manufacturers. Artificial Intelligence can process information more quickly and efficiently than humans and can be used for invoicing and can be used to recognise instances of fraud within a split second.
Augmented reality adds rich texture and context to physical realities and can include text, video, photos and sound. Big data is the collection and manipulation of internal and external sources of data that support real-time decision-making. Data is set to become the biggest disruptor of our age and many organisation use only a tiny fraction of the total data hoard they currently own and are unable to exploit.
Mark Lamb, General Manager – Asia Pacific commented, “These changes in the digital realm are inevitable and hugely impactful."
“All the different components affecting supply chains such as 3D printing, cloud computing and the management of big data are game changers. This paper seeks to help that process become a little easier by guiding supply chain managers towards a more robust understanding of what these disruptors will mean to them and their business.”
CIPS has a range of resources on digitalisation of procurement and supply chains including the Digitalisation in procurement and Supply paper.
Download a full copy of the Digitalisation in Procurement and Supply white paper.
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Press contacts:
Giovanni Ferrante, Marketing Manager – Asia Pacific
giovanni.ferrante@cipsa.com.au T: +61 3 8611 0320 | M: +61 416 461 983
About:
The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS)
The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) is the world’s largest procurement and supply professional organisation. It is the worldwide centre of excellence on procurement and supply management issues. CIPS has a global community of over 200,000 in 180 different countries and 10,000 in Australia alone, including senior business people, high-ranking officials and leading academics. The activities of procurement and supply chain professionals have a major impact on the profitability and efficiency of all types of organisation and CIPS offers corporate solution packages to improve business profitability.
https://www.cips.org/en-au/ | @CIPSAustralasia