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Supply chain intelligence for risk management

A company needs to know how to leverage supply chain intelligence to minimize potential threats.

No business is an island. Behind essentially every organization is a complex network of manufacturers, suppliers, vendors, distributors, and transportation partners, each operating together to ensure that the organization and its customers can do business. Unfortunately, with this interdependability comes uncertainty and the potential for disruption—as evidenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The global lockdown and other safety measures put in place to contain the spread of the virus disrupted supply chains across nearly every industry. Hampered or paralyzed, most supply chains suffered systemic damage. In fact, according to research by Ernst & Young, only 2% of companies were prepared for the pandemic, and 72% suffered a negative impact thanks in part to suspended supply chains.

Supply chain risks have the capacity to cut off organizations from the resources and support they depend on. As such, today’s businesses need a clear understanding of what threats they face and how to minimize them.

Supply chain risk refers to the potential disruptions, uncertainties, and vulnerabilities that can affect a supply chain. These have always been present and can originate from many sources, such as natural disasters, geopolitical instability, economic downturns, supplier failures, transportation bottlenecks, quality issues, and pandemics.

The interconnected nature of supply chains magnifies the impact of any disruption, as a single unexpected event can send ripples throughout the entire network. And the more widespread the event, the bigger the ripples. Today, as we move into the post-pandemic era, organizations worldwide recognize supply chain intelligence is a competitive necessity.

Supply chain intelligence places data and analytics at the heart of supply chain risk management. This approach harnesses empirical information, technology, and strategic insights to enhance the resilience and agility of supply chains. By leveraging real-time insights and advanced analytics—further enhanced through machine learning (ML) capabilities—organizations gain deep visibility into their supply chains, empowering them to anticipate and more effectively respond to changing customer demand, market dynamics, and emerging risks.

Although the pandemic helped bring the need for digital transformation in supply chain analytics to the forefront of business consciousness, the advantages of supply chain intelligence go well beyond crisis response. Supply chain intelligence also empowers businesses to optimize inventory management, streamline logistics, enhance supplier relationships, and improve customer satisfaction. It provides the foundation for end-to-end visibility, collaborative decision-making, and the integration of digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT), into the supply chain ecosystem.

As with most aspects of business, the field of supply chain management and logistics has witnessed a remarkable rise in the application of AI and related technologies. As organizations use AI to revolutionize their supply chain operations and enhance decision-making, they are also driving efficiency and reducing risk in ways that would not have been possible only a few years ago.

At the heart of supply chain management AI is the ability to automate both basic and increasingly complex tasks. Here are some of the ways that AI may revolutionize supply chain management:

Centralized enterprise resource planning

The integration of AI in supply chain and logistics revolutionizes the enterprise resource planning (ERP) framework, making it adaptable to future needs while seamlessly connecting people, processes, and data—intelligently and with full integration. By implementing AI effectively within ERP and related data systems, these systems become more receptive and event-driven over time, capable of processing vast volumes of information. This allows AI to incorporate complex data sets into its learning algorithms, quantifying risks and opportunities, ranking priorities, and proactively prescribing solutions to issues. 
 
End-to-end visibility

AI provides end-to-end visibility into the entire supply chain ecosystem. By integrating data from suppliers, logistics partners, IoT sensors, and other reliable sources, organizations can gain real-time insights into inventory levels, production statuses, and transportation milestones. This visibility enables proactive decision-making and improved collaboration with stakeholders throughout the supply chain 
 
Enhanced operation efficiency

AI automates tasks and streamlines essential processes. ML algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and provide actionable insights for process optimization. This in turn leads to better resource allocation, minimized lead times, and increased operational efficiency.

Improved inventory accuracy

A significant benefit of applying AI technologies to supply chain management is improved inventory accuracy. AI algorithms can analyze historical data, purchase patterns, and market trends to create highly accurate forecasts about demand. This reduces the risk of stockouts and excess inventory. By optimizing inventory levels, organizations can lower holding costs, improve cash flow, and ensure timely fulfillment of customer orders.

Optimal warehouse efficiency and safety

Through ML algorithms, organizations can optimize storage, route planning, and labor allocation in warehouse environments, minimizing time spent retrieving and transporting goods within the warehouse itself. AI-powered technologies, such as robotics, can further enhance safety by reducing manual handling, which helps minimize the risk of employee accidents and injuries while on the job.

Timely delivery

Finally, AI may be applied to improve transportation and delivery times. ML algorithms can analyze numerous factors, such as traffic conditions, weather patterns, and historical trends, to create highly efficient routes and data-backed delivery schedules. This leads to more on-time deliveries and reduced transportation costs while helping ensure that the end customers' needs and expectations are being met.

AI, ML, automation, predictive analysis, and other intelligent technologies are transforming traditional supply chains into dynamic digital supply networks. This shift has the potential to unlock new levels of integration, optimization, and efficiency in supply chain management practices across essentially every industry.


At the heart of these digital supply networks is the seamless integration of various components, processes, and stakeholders. Gone are the days when the supply chain operated as an independent entity within retail or manufacturing companies. Today, intelligent supply chain management requires an interconnected approach, where all areas of operation are integrated and optimized using connected networks and troves of data.

Digital supply networks may take various forms, depending on the organization's specific needs and industry. They may encompass interconnected systems, platforms, and applications throughout the business, all seamlessly exchanging information and enabling unrestricted visibility of the supply chain. By integrating every stakeholder—including suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, logistics providers, and customers—organizations can establish a networked ecosystem that thrives on collaboration and information sharing.

The interconnected nature of supply chains magnifies the impact of any disruption, as a single unexpected event can send ripples throughout the entire network.

In other words, it is no longer feasible or appropriate to treat the supply chain as its own entity, separate from other aspects of the business. Organizations that make the transition to digital supply networks integrated across every level of the company will be in a better place to achieve improved coordination, responsiveness, and agility—breaking down silos, providing real-time transparency, automating essential tasks, and building a foundation of reliable data to power decision-making.

The shift toward intelligent supply chain management may require a new way of thinking for many organizations. To facilitate this transformation, companies must be committed to adopting best practices that leverage advanced technologies, data-driven insights, and a proactive mindset. By implementing these practices, organizations can optimize their supply chain management processes and secure their future against disruptive events. 
 
Consider the following recommendations:

Automate wherever possible

Automation plays a pivotal role in streamlining supply chain processes. By leveraging technologies such as robotic process automation (RPA) alongside other AI-driven systems, organizations can automate tasks, eliminate human errors, and accelerate processes. This enables improved accuracy, faster throughput, and enhanced operational efficiency throughout the supply chain.

Use big data to identify inefficiencies

Harnessing the power of big data analytics provides organizations with valuable insights into their supply chain operations. By analyzing vast amounts of data, including sales data, logistics data, and customer data, organizations can identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement. This data-driven approach empowers organizations to make informed decisions and drive continuous improvement across the supply chain.

Leverage IoT 

IoT devices provide opportunities to gather real-time data and enhance supply chain visibility at the source. Through the deployment of IoT sensors, organizations can collect data on factors such as the temperature, location, and condition of goods in transit. This data enables proactive monitoring, predictive maintenance, and timely intervention (in the event that unfavorable conditions are reported). Ultimately, IoT integration will enhance supply chain visibility and reduce the risk posed by disruptions.

Prioritize agility

Agility is a critical success factor for modern supply chain management. Organizations should prioritize developing agile supply chain strategies that can adapt to changing market conditions, customer demand, and emerging risks with accuracy and a minimum of downtime. This involves fostering a culture of flexibility, implementing agile processes, and establishing strong relationships with suppliers, vendors, and logistics partners.

Unfortunately, the naturally complex structure of today's supply chains means that there are certain hurdles organizations must overcome in their pursuit of effective digital supply chain transformation. Navigating these challenges is crucial to fully leveraging the potential of supply chain intelligence and driving successful digital transformation initiatives. 

Consider the following obstacles:

Cultural resistance

The adoption of supply chain intelligence involves a significant cultural shift within organizations. This requires increased focus on change management efforts to drive adoption, overcome user resistance, and foster a data-driven mindset. Such a shift may be especially difficult when working with third-party vendors and partners. Nevertheless, aligning stakeholders, educating employees, and cultivating a culture that embraces continuous learning and innovation throughout the supply line are critical for successful digital transformation.

Integration between new and legacy systems

Many organizations grapple with the integration of new digital technologies into their existing legacy systems. Legacy systems often lack the flexibility and interoperability needed to seamlessly exchange information with modern supply chain intelligence solutions. This challenge requires careful planning, robust integration strategies, and potentially replacing outdated systems to embrace more agile and connected technologies.

Problems with data quality and accessibility

One of the fundamental challenges in supply chain intelligence is the availability of high-quality, accurate, and accessible data. Organizations often struggle with fragmented and inconsistent data sources, making it difficult to derive meaningful insights. Ensuring data quality, standardization, and accessibility across systems and stakeholders is vital to enable effective supply chain intelligence.

Security and data privacy

With a supply chain’s increased reliance on digital technologies and data sharing, security and data privacy become major concerns. Organizations must implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive supply chain data from cyber threats. Additionally, remaining compliant with data privacy regulations adds an additional layer of complexity and risk to supply chain intelligence initiatives.

Talent gaps

Embracing supply chain intelligence requires a workforce equipped with specific skills and expertise. However, organizations often face challenges in finding and retaining talent with a strong understanding of data analytics, AI, and supply chain management. Bridging the skills gap through training programs and recruitment strategies is essential to build a capable workforce that can effectively leverage supply chain intelligence.

Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, involving a combination of technological, organizational, and cultural changes. Further, it demands a solution capable of integrating disparate systems, data sets, and people so that everyone has access to the same single source of reliable digital truth with which to optimize and streamline the supply chain.

As unprecedented disruptions, new challenges, and increasing complexity threaten to upend the supply chains businesses and customers rely on, supply chain intelligence emerges as a game-changer for organizations around the globe. By leveraging the power of advanced technologies, data-driven insights, and an agile approach, intelligent supply chains are reshaping traditional practices, enabling organizations to navigate uncertainties, optimize operations, and secure a competitive advantage.

Improved inventory accuracy, optimal warehouse efficiency, timely delivery, enhanced visibility, increased operational efficiency, complete centralization, and more—the benefits of embracing supply chain intelligence may be as extensive as the supply networks themselves. But there are also challenges that may prevent organizations from fully realizing these advantages.

To counter potential obstructions, businesses need the right tools for coordinating vendors and automating the full life cycles of everything that passes through their supply chains. Learn more about how ServiceNow Supply Chain Risk Management can help you turn your supply chains into disruption-proof drivers of success. After all, no business is an island, and with ServiceNow Supply Chain Risk Management, you’ll never have to worry about your critical supply chains leaving you adrift.

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