Achieving Digital Excellence In Supply Chain Through Advanced Technologies

Abstract

By focusing on the shifting role of the supply chain to drive overarching business strategy, this research presents the journey of three companies in the quest to achieve digital leadership in the supply chain domain. Digital excellence in the supply chain has become more than a desirable goal for companies engaged in production, distribution, and retail activities. It is now a vehicle for communication and for expressing external value. Achieving digital excellence in the supply chain has traditionally meant bolstering the chain's internal performance with a beam of information technology-led light. In today's era of advanced technologies, which include artificial intelligence, machine learning, Internet of Things applications, robotics, and blockchain at its core, that well-lit path has become a highway with multiple lanes stretching toward endless possibilities.

Companies are reaping huge benefits by developing innovative products and services or using next-generation technologies to transform their businesses. The leaders in each industry have already taken positions by demonstrating the power of digital excellence, but all companies that seek growth are wending their way toward supply chain digitalization, with varying degrees of speed and commitment. In this industry report-based research work, we describe the approaches and lessons learned from three very different companies as they seek supply chain digital leadership. What unites these companies is a belief in the transformative power of advanced technology and a conviction that supply chain performance is a key driver of overall business success.