Trending Now

New Articles

Sales Digitalization Trends in the Logistics Industry

logistics
3pls, Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

Sales Digitalization Trends in the Logistics Industry

Leave a comment

The logistics industry across the globe is entering a new era. The accelerated development of digital technologies, combined with recent pandemic events, is the main catalysts for this change. With an increased demand for mobility and remoteness, digitalization is affecting all transportation segments, including sales processes that were firmly rooted in traditional procedures. As a result, companies worldwide are following sales digitalization trends in the logistics industry. They gather, process, and organize large volumes of information and work on making them easy to understand and use.

Current and future sales digitalization trends in logistics

This emergence of digitalization across various fields is bringing a lot of new players to the market. Once primarily dominated by large businesses, the transportation industry is experiencing a large influx of smaller distribution companies. The rise of modern, dynamic, remote-focused, and customer-oriented companies is now creating high competitiveness, which calls for a range of changes, from marketing to sales procedures, for many. The sales funnels need to go through a complete transformation to improve business operations.

What changes in technologies will have a breakthrough impact on the business now and in the next few years? Here are several sales digitalization trends every logistics company should be aware of:

-Online sales and automated pricings

-Shifting the focus to customer journey

-Automatization of procedures (AI)

-Customer acquisition changes

-Blockchain efficiency

Online sales and automated pricings

More than half of logistics companies are establishing online sales processes. However, not all the steps are touched equally. One example is the ability to provide online quoting and price estimates. Previously, they served more as an approximate estimate based on a specific set of static rules. Followed later by calls or contacts in person for negotiations. But, the ongoing digital sales revolution calls for a more dynamic solution. In general, by considering the type of goods, average delivery time, prioritization of shipments, and overall costs, the sales departments need solutions to provide instant and more precise results.

One way to solve this problem is to use dynamic automated pricing engines. They will collect real-time data by analyzing and combining different resources. Only then will you be able to successfully forecast and derive instant and precise rates. More likely, something similar to the software solutions airline companies are using today.

Shifting the focus to customer journey

The future of sales lies in their ability to focus on the customer journey. So far, it’s been proven multiple times that relationships with customers are what drive the best results. In essence, this requires specific tools like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software solutions, which will allow you to better manage current and potential customers and communication with them. You will be able to gather behavioral and other data to help you increase sales through better customer service. In addition, CRM allows you to track and trace a variety of data – everything necessary to identify patterns so you can predict customer preferences. And prevent potential issues in the supply chains. There are also IoT tracking and tracing tools logistic companies can use to monitor shipments on both ends. Allowing such transparency will increase your company’s credibility, improve procedures, and make the transportation process more profitable.

Automatization of the procedures (AI)

Dealing with new technologies on a larger scale is never easy. Many companies experience difficulties when they need to adjust new salespeople to the changes. Fortunately, the training process can be much easier with the help of digital solutions. With Artificial Intelligence (AI) available today, we can automate many previously manual procedures, making the entire training and working system more efficient and less time-consuming. Rather than investing a lot of resources into slow mentor-like coaching, sales can use the capabilities of automation through upgrading their infrastructure and technology.

Another aspect of why AI is much better to focus on lies in these systems’ additional functionality. Features like tracking finances, anomalies, delays, and better delivery planning and predicting will reduce the overall logistical risks.

Customer acquisition changes

Like for many other industries, the logistics salesforce has to follow new arising trends in customer acquisition. This is the use of social media and other alternate networks. You can increase your business operations and provide better customer relations by using these digital platforms for engagement. Previously, social media channels were the mere focus of marketing teams. However, the need and goals of marketing and sales have to align and combine perfectly to give sales a chance to improve their operations. Whether we like it or not, this shift to social network communications is establishing itself as more than just a place of entertainment for customers. Active publishing means more quality leads for your sales in the future.

Blockchain efficiency

In addition, blockchain technology solutions can make your logistics process more effective. And improve your brand image as a whole. By allowing your customers to follow the delivery, you will increase the transparency and credibility of your services. It’s time effective and creates a better customer experience. Everything you will need to acquire more loyal customers.

Adopting all the digital solutions in your sales process doesn’t come without challenges, especially for older, larger, and more established logistics companies. When everything is firmly rooted in traditional approaches, transforming the entire business model is complex. Fortunately, scaling everything across your salesforce is everything but impossible. If you follow the best sales digitalization trends in the logistics industry, you can easily remain competitive in this new industrial revolution that is shaking the transportation world.

_______________________________________________________________

Dave Atkinson is currently working with the Best Movers in Florida on providing helpful information and guidelines for researching, improving, and planning the moving business. His writings can be used by both transportation companies and their customers to better understand advanced technologies in logistics processes.

gartner
3pls, Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Warehousing

Generix Supply Chain Solution on Gartner Magic Quadrant

Leave a comment

A global provider of SaaS-based supply chain solutions, Generix Group has been recognized for the third year in a row among providers of WMS solutions with its inclusion in the 2021 Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems. 

A closely-followed series of market research publications produced by Gartner, the Magic Quadrant or “Gartner MQ” uses an evaluation matrix to analyze the positioning of technology-based companies, rate technology vendors based on defined criteria, and display vendor strengths and weaknesses, according to Techopedia.

Used to evaluate a vendor before a specific technology product, service, or solution is purchased, the Gartner MQ evaluates each vendor on vision completeness and execution ability. Digging down deeper, it classifies each vendor into four different quadrants: leaders, challengers, visionaries, and niche players.

Magic Quadrant for WMS

An industry-standard resource for supply chain professionals wanting unbiased research on the key players for advanced WMS solutions, the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Warehouse Management Systems is compiled based on the research firm’s rigorous methodology. With this information at their fingertips, companies can make a solid evaluation of WMS vendors based on multiple different criteria.

“The WMS market remains vibrant with vendors continuing to innovate,” Gartner points out. “Progress is being made in adaptability and support for automation while cloud services grow faster than the overall market. Supply chain technology leaders should use this (Gartner MQ) research to understand the current state of the WMS market.”

Gartner Magic Quadrants offer visual snapshots, in-depth analyses, and actionable advice that provide insight into a market’s direction, maturity, and participants. Magic Quadrants compare vendors based on Gartner’s standard criteria and methodology. Each report comes with a graphic that depicts a market using a two-dimensional matrix that evaluates vendors based on their completeness of vision and ability to execute.

Generix WMS Systems 

With two distinct WMS solutions, Solochain WMS and Generix WMS, Generix Group provides full-featured WMS functionality, high visibility and trackability, highly configurable automation platforms, and interactive on-the-job workforce training. The modern and intuitive visual interface supports real-time decision-making and critical business needs, including fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) as well as slow-moving consumer goods (SMCG) industries.

Working together with Locus Robotics, Generix recently rolled out automated warehouse solutions across Europe that include Locus’s innovative autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

Furthermore, with ever-increasing changes in the industry, Generix can swiftly accommodate high growth needs from level-1 warehouse operations up to level 5, thus allowing hyper-growth for clients while digital transformation exponentially accelerates organic growth.

Solochain WMS is built on a scalable and flexible platform that powers its use as a warehouse management system, a manufacturing execution system, a transportation management system, and more. Highly configurable in terms of information layout, mobile workflow processes, reporting, and optimization rules, the WMS’ technological infrastructure is designed for maximum configuration flexibility and performance scalability.

Solochain WMS adapts and scales to meet a company’s needs all from within the same warehouse facility. It’s a highly flexible and adaptive warehouse management system that’s built for companies that need their supply chains to be nimble, efficient, and scaling, while ensuring execution excellence, compliance, and operational stability. And, for companies that perform product transformation (manufacturing, product kitting, etc.), Generix’s fully native Manufacturing Execution System (MES) can be enabled in WMS for complete inventory visibility throughout work-in-progress stages.

The Power of One  

Highlighting Generix’s strengths, Gartner says the company is expanding with a new entity in the Netherlands, a software engineering center in Romania, and its services center in Portugal. The company is also growing in North America with more than one-quarter of its business now outside its home geography.

“Solochain is well-suited to combination manufacturing and warehouse operations because it offers a seamlessly integrated WMS and MES,” Gartner says in its review. “This goes beyond simple transactional integration and addresses complexities of process integration between the warehouse and the shop floor.”

Gartner goes on to say that Generix Solochain offers powerful visual tools to facilitate, accelerate, and enhance implementations, and to provide ongoing support. It provides a model-driven architecture and back-office capabilities that document every client interaction in the application, facilitating upgrades.

According to one Gartner peerinsights user review, the company’s Solochain implementation was a multi-phased project. The first phase involved implementing the core WMS software and the second phase was the full integration with the firm’s existing ERP systems.

“The Solochain implementation team focused closely on our business process. Understanding the nature and rationale of our operations was the priority,” the company says. “Solochain offers many great best practice features out of the box. Understanding that functionality and relating it to our processes allowed us to redesign poorly performing operations and optimize others. We found the implementation team to be open-minded and very knowledgeable.”

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product, or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Generix Group North America:

Solutions exist today that can ensure any warehouse or distribution center operates at peak efficiency, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Transportation Management Systems (TMS) to Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and more, software platforms can deliver a wide range of benefits that ultimately flow to the warehouse operator’s bottom line.

Generix Group North America provides a series of solutions within our Supply Chain Hub product suite to create efficiencies across an entire supply chain. Our solutions are in use around the world and our experience is second-to-none. We invite you to contact us to learn more.

This article originally appeared here. Republished with permission.

warehouse management system
Archives, Global Logistics, Software, Warehousing

WMS Software: Is a Warehouse Management System Worth the Cost?

Leave a comment

In the modern business world, software such as word processing programs, expense report software, payroll software, etc., continue to emerge. The usage of these applications is to increase and measure operations and productivity and conduct other business functions effectively.

Like those mentioned above, another software program that aids in controlling and managing a warehouse’s everyday operations is the warehouse management system (WMS). The WMS software directs inventory receipt and storage, improves order picking and shipping, and offers recommendations on inventory replenishment. A warehouse management system could be used as a standalone tool or as part of a wider Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) framework.

Primarily, warehouse inventory management systems could only deliver vital functions, primarily on the storage location information. WMS functionality can now range from basic best practices in grab, load, and ship features to sophisticated programs facilitating improved interactions with material-handling devices and yard maintenance.

A warehouse management system helps to reduce the possibility of errors occurring when a product is shipped. The program can also help you fulfill orders on time and track ordered products inside the warehouse in real-time.

Additionally, a third-party service provider can host WMS in-house (on-premise) or online (via the cloud). The latter is becoming more popular as the business landscape shifts more towards digital. A cloud-based WMS is simple to scale, allowing you to pay only for the number of users and software technologies you need. And, as appealing as this all sounds, keep in mind the underlying costs and other factors when considering WMS.

Factors You Should Consider When Estimating WMS Costs

You must carefully evaluate the offerings of your prospective technology providers and each merchant’s capabilities in providing a WMS. It is recommended to obtain quotations for the various services included in the system and compare them to the intended budget for the WMS implementation. But most importantly, it is first necessary to understand that WMS prices vary according to an organization’s size, products, industry, and specific needs. The following are some of the essential factors to consider when determining the cost of a WMS:

The Number of Users

The total sum of users who will use the software is one of the most important factors to consider when calculating a WMS cost. Note how many administrative staff or warehouse workers will have to use the WMS as this will definitely affect the fees of the subscription. The majority of technology providers base the cost of WMS on the number of users—the more users, the more expensive it may be. To determine the cost of these licenses, multiply the base WMS subscription fee by the number of users.

Products and Industry

Other things to consider when assessing the expenses of a WMS include the types of items processed or distributed by a company, as well as the sector to which they belong. WMS cost quotations vary by the complexity of a product’s storage, manufacturing, and shipping. Furthermore, companies’ regulated goods by governmental bodies, such as medicines or cosmetics, may increase WMS costs. These factors influence prices because the technology provider considers the scope and extent of an organization’s processes to assist the software.

Hardware

Companies may also have to consider the costs of any hardware or equipment integrated into the system. Some third-party vendors may offer devices such as a barcode or tag printers, data and voice terminals, and so on – but at a higher initial cost. If an organization already has hardware and software, it can be modified to save money.

Other than these, it is also essential to consider the value of purchasing a WMS for organizations. The best WMS for any company is one that can meet its specific needs and requirements, allowing it to grow and become more effective in an ever-changing business world. Following this, there is more discussion about the benefits of using a WMS.

Benefits of a Warehouse Management System

A good WMS benefits both your business and your customers. Here are a few reasons why having a good WMS is advantageous:

Faster Inventory Turnover

Improving inventory management is the first step toward improving the efficiency of your warehouse and, as a result, your business. It means complete inventory control, from receipt to shipping, when we say inventory management. An effective WMS can significantly enhance inventory management and speed up inventory turnover. A WMS can assist cut lead times by minimizing inventory movement and improving record accuracy, lowering the demand for safety stock.

Enhanced Customer Service

A warehouse management system (WMS) reduces inventory documentation by letting the digital storage of reports, pick tickets, move tickets, and do invoices and packing. Product availability may be more accurately determined, offering customers more realistic delivery dates, reducing customer complaints, and improving overall customer service by expediting operations from the order through delivery.

Warehouse Personnel Reduced

A WMS system can greatly help your warehouse run better and more efficiently by standardizing inventory movements, picking procedures and inventory placements, and minimizing potential error rates and of course, training expenses. It can also aid in stock-flow optimization through the use of an automatic replenishment system.

Better Stock Control

Because of the nature of warehouses, the stock is constantly in motion. Goods are traveling in multiple directions, whether they are coming in, being stored, or leaving, making the process confusing. It is recommended that you keep track of which stock items have the highest turnover rate so that you can store them more efficiently and keep downtime to a minimum.

Optimized Warehouse Space

Ample storage space is essential for a successful warehousing operation. Correct warehouse organization can increase the number of goods stored; for example, using narrow-aisle equipment allows you to place racking closer together.

Improved Labor Productivity

A slow, inefficient, and unproductive warehousing operation is likely the result of several minor issues, such as outdated processes and a lack of employee motivation. It is critical to develop modern systems and techniques to help increase efficiency. A warehouse management system can assist with this.

Final Thoughts

A well-designed Warehouse Management System (WMS) may give several advantages to the company. These benefits include real-time inventory visibility, substantial cost reductions, decreased mistakes, increased productivity, and efficiency gains. Expenses connected with implementing and maintaining a WMS might vary based on which solution is appropriate for your company. Thus, it is critical to carefully analyze all options and costs associated with implementing and maintaining a new WMS.

A successful warehouse management system will require internal preparation for the company before implementation. It will need configuration to ensure that it includes all of the necessary functions for the business. It must ensure that all employees understand how to operate the new system entirely. Each of these processes will have its own set of expenses, which may vary based on the size and complexity of the project. Costs associated with configuration might rise if modifications surpass the extent of the project’s initial scope. It must have careful preparation and think on the part that could help to avoid incurring unnecessary expenses.

The warehouse management system is worth the cost for companies trying to enhance their warehouse management operations. Instead of relying on employees to do repetitive and simple activities, a WMS enables companies to leverage their employees’ skills, knowledge, and experience to grow and improve the company. In addition, the new warehouse management system may demand modifications to their existing warehouse. Companies may need to upgrade their Wi-Fi or install cabling for specific hardware charging stations, reorganize inventory placements, or take other essential actions depending on the WMS. It is to ensure that they can fully benefit from all of the features available. Therefore, it is crucial to remember that these alterations may result in higher initial investment costs for their system than planned.

supply chain
3pls, Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

WHY AND HOW BIG DATA IS A GAME CHANGER FOR THE SUPPLY CHAIN

Leave a comment

In its 2013 report titled Big Data in Logistics, DHL proclaimed that “The logistics sector is ideally placed to benefit from the technological and methodological advancements of Big Data” and predicted “huge untapped potential for improving operational efficiency and customer experience and creating useful new business models.”

Today, the transformation of logistics to a data-based model is no longer a futuristic fantasy. The ability to create a digital ID, carry it through the supply chain, capture all transactions along the way and implement action against that data has now become a reality. Intelligent identification solutions exist to optimize item-level data captured at the beginning of a product’s journey, enabling full inventory visibility and accuracy, as well as enhanced routing speed for all partners along the supply chain. With product-level data, supply chain execs are empowered to analyze and make intelligent real-time decisions with the ebbs and flows of demand.

As a global industry, 3PL professionals need to understand the promise of identity solutions and the key benefits they offer. The first step for leaders across the enterprise is recognizing that the supply chain is not a set of standalone “links.” On the contrary, supply chains should be viewed holistically to leverage advances in data infrastructure that enable a total ecosystem of item + shipping specific information across each touchpoint of a supply chain. 

The Importance of Accuracy 

Among the many advantages of assigning digital identities to products is speed—and the key to speed is accuracy. Think of it this way: The utilization of item data throughout the supply chain enables speed with accuracy. 

Consider a logistics scenario with an RFID-enabled intelligent label applied at the source of an item. As the item begins its journey, the data captured and carried in that label enables shipment verification. When the “intelligently” labeled products arrive at a facility or warehouse, the recipient can quickly confirm that what was received is precisely what was expected. 

The data contained in the intelligent labels also allow outbound verification to the store or e-commerce retailer. In turn, the same label gives the retailer the inbound verification they need to move the items directly into inventory, with data that assures its accuracy. At the end of the supply chain the retailer has confidence that they can show the customer exactly what is available.

Shipping errors are another logistics challenge that can be addressed through accurate data. Currently, up to 4% of shipping errors are due to misrouted items that must be returned to the distribution center for re-routing. Legacy operations that rely on separate processes (with the six to eight touchpoints that a product moves through) increase the chance of such errors. Therefore, there is an operational benefit to routing solutions that are based on item- or parcel-level data to allow cross-docking optimization within the supply chain that enables greater speed accuracy. Put simply, velocity increases as accuracy improves.

Moving Toward Sustainability

As the supply chain becomes more normalized post-pandemic, back-burnered sustainability goals are re-emerging, driven by consumers, regulations, and cost—not necessarily in that order. The supply chain as an industry is being specifically tasked with sustainability.

A report from the management consulting group BCG stated, “By implementing a net-zero supply chain (the state in which as much carbon is absorbed as is released into the atmosphere), companies can amplify their climate impact, enable emission reductions in hard-to-abate sectors, and accelerate climate action in countries where it would otherwise not be high on the agenda.” This report also noted that “in most supply chains, the costs of getting to net-zero are surprisingly low.”

On the consumer side, a research study from Deloitte found that “concerned consumers are adopting a raft of different measures to shop and live more sustainably. One of the most prominent lifestyle changes is “shopping for brands with environmentally sustainable values.” In fact, over a third of consumers surveyed indicated that they value ethical practices in the products and services they buy. 

The data captured and carried in intelligent labels provide real-world efficiency solutions for achieving sustainability in logistics. One of the areas in which supply chains can address carbon emissions is in the transport of goods. One factor that deters sustainability in 3PL is trucks not being loaded to their full capacity.

In fact, our own studies have shown that up to 14% more volume can be loaded into a truck by utilizing key data that consider size and weight of parcels, creates the most efficient delivery route and considers other variables such as perishability.  Clearly, such sustainability initiatives have the potential to lower costs as well.

Caution: Hazardous Materials

There is yet another issue that is becoming more urgent and that is the prevalence of hazardous materials in the supply chain. First, it is necessary to define hazardous materials. These are substances or materials that the U.S. Secretary of Transportation has determined are “capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety and property when transported in commerce.”

These materials include hazardous substances and wastes, marine pollutants, elevated-temperature materials, and other materials designated by federal Hazardous Materials Regulations.

In supply chain operations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires these items to have “Hazardous Material” markings and/or labels. There are significant financial penalties for incorrect shipping identification, including accruing fines that can amount to more than $78,000 per instance.

Among the many items on the FAA’s list are the lithium-ion batteries used in many consumer products, each of which require the special markings and/or labels and have their own specific requirements for placement in cargo. Sorting solutions that use digital product identities currently exist to alert shippers where certain items, such as these batteries, should and should not be placed.

The importance of data in logistics will only increase over time. Deploying RFID intelligent label solutions at the source of an item will carry it safely, sustainably and quickly through all of the touchpoints along the supply chain—and beyond. The future of a data-enabled logistics eco-system is here. 

____________________________________________________________________

Michael Kaufmann is director, Market Development, Logistics with Avery Dennison. The company recently launched its the atma.io connected product cloud platform that gives unique digital IDs to physical objects for end-to-end tracking from the source to the customer and even beyond to take part in the circular economy. 

supply chain risk
Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, International Trade

Integrating Risk Management Into Supply Chains: 5 Points to Cover

Leave a comment

Risk management is central to running any business, but it’s especially important for supply chains. Disruptions in the supply chain have far-reaching ripple effects, as the COVID-19 pandemic has made painfully evident. With logistics serving as the backbone of virtually every other operation, risks here are risks everywhere.

Supply chains must identify, document and respond to all potential dangers to maximize efficiency and resiliency. However, while many organizations are aware of this need, fewer understand how to implement proper risk management.

Why Supply Chains Need Better Risk Management

According to a PWC survey, 60% of supply chains pay only marginal attention to risk reduction processes. The study also revealed that most of these companies focus on maximizing profit, minimizing costs or maintaining service levels. Ironically, had they prioritized risk management, they’d be better equipped to meet those goals in the face of disruption.

Widespread supply chain issues amid the COVID-19 pandemic further illustrate the subpar state of risk management. Early in the outbreak, 75% of U.S. companies saw capacity disruptions from the pandemic, and many continued to face similar challenges throughout the year. The world’s supply chains were clearly unprepared to handle these risks.

Understanding the importance of risk management is the first step towards improvement. As supply chain managers start to create a risk management plan, here are five points to cover.

1. Identify and Organize Risks

Risk management in any operation begins with identifying the risks an organization faces. These can be internal, like poor user behavior leading to a data breach, or external, like a natural disaster. This may also take careful analysis, as some risks, such as changes in customer preferences, may not come to mind immediately.

Supply chain managers should break down every node and link to find risks. When recording these, it’s also crucial to determine their potential impact on the company, which is often more substantial than initially evident. For example, worker’s compensation claims can incur ongoing care expenses and disability payments on top of the original cost of care.

After compiling a list of risks and their potential impacts, supply chains should prioritize them. Weigh each hazard according to its likelihood and the size of its consequences. The most likely and most disruptive deserve the most attention in planning to prevent and mitigate them.

2. Create Response Plans for Known Risks

This organized list represents a supply chain’s known risks. These are the things that a company can predict and quantify, and as such, managers can create a response plan for them. Businesses may not be able to create a detailed plan for every item, but they should for at least the most threatening eventualities.

Some hazards don’t require extensive planning and preparation. For example, if a truck battery dies, drivers can start it without jumper cables if need be to take it to a repair shop. Even though the solution here is fairly straightforward, businesses should still write down what to do to ensure quick responses.

Other events need a more detailed and lengthy response plan. A supply shortage from an overseas supplier, for example, may require backup sources, a transition plan and steps to mitigate customer reactions. Creating these plans can take tremendous effort, but emergency responses will be slow and ineffective without them.

3. Ensure Flexibility for Unknown Risks

Of course, supply chain managers can’t predict every possible eventuality. In fact, unknown risks like the COVID-19 pandemic can be the most disruptive because businesses don’t have a specific action plan for them. While supply chains can’t predict the details of these events, they can prepare for them.

The key to preparing for unknown risks is to ensure flexibility. When a supply chain can’t predict a disruption, it must be able to adapt to it in the moment. If the chain is flexible by design, it can adapt more easily, minimizing the effects of unforeseen events.

Segment, stock and plan (SSP) strategies can reduce part shortages by 50 to 90%, helping supply chains become more flexible. Supply chains should also consider distributed sourcing, which mitigates the impact of a disruption in one location. Creating more transparency through internet of things (IoT) technology and data analytics will also help.

4. Build a Risk-Aware Culture

One easily overlookable point of supply chain risk management is cultivating a risk-aware culture. Supply chain managers can’t expect to discover every potential disruption on their own, much less fully understand their impact. Employees throughout the supply chain may have a more personal understanding of these things, making them indispensable assets.

Just as effective cybersecurity involves all employees, so does the rest of risk management. All workers should be able to report risks they notice, requiring easy and open communication tools. Similarly, management must be open to change and ensure employees that bad news is a welcome alert, not something to punish.

Some supply chains may even consider rewarding employees whose insights lead to meaningful risk management improvements. When everyone can report and discuss potential hazards, supply chains can get a more comprehensive picture of their risk environment. This communication will also improve flexibility for unknown risks.

5. Monitor and Review Risks

Finally, supply chains must understand that risk management is an ongoing process. Some experts claim that constant monitoring is the best way to strengthen the supply chain, as it enables quick, effective responses. The first step here is expanding visibility through data collection and reporting.

Regular reports from all supply chain nodes provide an updated picture of a supply chain’s risk environment. Similarly, IoT tracking and data analytics can enable real-time visibility across an organization and help predict incoming changes. When relying on data analytics, supply chains must ensure they’re gathering extensive, high-quality data, as poor or insufficient datasets can be misleading.

Monitoring this data to predict incoming disruptions is only part of the ongoing risk management process. Supply chains must also periodically review their risk management framework as their situation changes. What’s most threatening today may not be tomorrow, so these plans should evolve over time.

Risk Management Is Crucial for Supply Chains Today

The sheer size and complexity of supply chains today make risk management essential. Disruptions can come from anywhere and have far-reaching consequences if these organizations don’t prepare to counteract them.

As supply chain managers tackle their risk management framework, they must be sure to cover these five points. If not, they could fall short when an emergency arises. By contrast, following these steps can help them ensure ongoing efficiency and minimal disruption in the face of adversity.

cyber
Archives, Global Trade Daily, Software

Security and EDI, the Trojan Horses of Cyber Attackers

Leave a comment

If no one is safe from a cyber-attack, then the multiplication of EDI flow increases the vulnerability of a company. Indeed, EDI flows with less protected subcontractors can be privileged entry points for attackers. The choice of a reliable and certified EDI provider is becoming more and more necessary. 

SMEs, the weakest link in cybersecurity

When it comes to cybersecurity, small businesses are the weakest link and the ones that attackers are targeting, so that they reach larger targets. Faced with this phenomenon, some companies use rating companies to estimate the security level of their suppliers and eventually select them according to their score. This approach is extremely costly and is nevertheless reserved for a few large international companies.

A study conducted by cybersecurity firm BlueVoyant shows that of the 1,500 companies surveyed, 77% of CISOs and CIOs report a complete lack of visibility into their vendors’ security. At the same time, 82% have experienced at least one data breach in the past 12 months. This lack of control over third-party security can be explained by the fact that a company’s cyber resources are obviously focused on securing their own information systems. Some companies send a security questionnaire to their partners to assess their practices, but the average company has about 1000 partners, which limits the company’s ability to control them. Cyber threats and protection systems are constantly evolving, and even systems that may appear to be the most mature, such as EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), are not always the most secure.

EDI, a secure technology, but not safe from attackers

By design, EDI flows are secure: the protocol ensures the integrity and traceability of exchanges. The data itself is encrypted, which guarantees its confidentiality and integrity, but EDI flows can potentially be exploited by hackers to infiltrate the information system of a company or its EDI provider, or to divert data indirectly.

Since the 2010s, EDI network flows initially carried by the specialized X25 network have given way to IP and Internet connections. In the same way, the use of EDI has expanded, especially among SMEs, thanks to the development of Web-EDI type solutions, accessible to all. Any company can communicate EDI data via a simple Web browser and this democratization increases the risk of computer hacking.

The ecosystem, a concept too often underestimated by companies

For example, a supplier who links his computer to a client, so he can obtain a list of addresses, will open a connection between the two platforms. By attacking the supplier, the cyber attacker opens a breach towards the client’s company.

While it is appropriate for the supplier to protect its customers, it is also up to the client to qualify the trust it places in the supplier. Intrusion attempts are polymorphous: if identity theft is the most frequent case, companies must generally limit the flow of sensitive data communicated within their ecosystem.

The support of all EDI formats and protocols on the market is the first criterion for choosing an EDI solution. The platform must support EANCOM, EDIFACT, XML, UBL, HL7, JSON, PDF or X12, but also offer interfaces with ERP and business software packages such as SAP, Microsoft, Oracle or Sage. Finally, the EDI provider must obviously have interoperability capabilities with all the countries with which the company will have to exchange. But nowadays, you must also choose your EDI provider according to its maturity and its investments in cybersecurity.

The role of the EDI provider has evolved; it has become a key player in protecting companies from these attacks and the company itself must ensure the seriousness of the protections put in place by its EDI provider before connecting to its service.

Certifications and standards are a way to ensure the seriousness of its processes. An ISO 27001 certification appears as an essential criterion in the selection of an EDI provider. It is up to the provider to ensure that the data flow is not subject to a “Man in the Middle” attack. It is also the provider who stores the data exchanged between EDI partners. This storage must therefore be encrypted to ensure that, even if an attacker manages to penetrate the defenses in place, he cannot exploit the data exposed to his attack. Asymmetric encryption is the most secure solution to protect data, but some players are now turning to Blockchain technology to further increase the security level of their EDI.

Generix Group North America provides a series of solutions within our Supply Chain Hub product suite to create efficiencies across an entire supply chain. Our solutions are in use around the world and our experience is second-to-none. We invite you to contact us to learn more.

fleet managers
Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Trucking

What are the Best Ways Fleet Managers Can Reduce Costs?

Leave a comment

Effective fleet management can be expensive. To keep vehicles operational requires spending on labor, fuel costs, maintenance and telematics. Managers also must consider external factors — like driver behavior and weather — that can further impact fleet performance.

When facing tight fleet budgets, it’s important to know how simple adjustments to vehicles and driver practices can reduce costs. These are some of the best strategies fleet managers can use tWhen facing tight fleet budgets, it’s important to know how simple adjustments to vehicles and driver practices can reduce costs. These are some of the best strategies fleet managers can use to do that.

1. Track Driver Behavior

How drivers use fleet vehicles can have a significant impact on fuel economy and vehicle lifespan.

Many modern telematics systems make it easy to track events like harsh braking and idling — practices that can increase vehicle wear and tear and fuel consumption. They can even put drivers in violation of certain city ordinances. These systems can help any business reduce unsafe and wasteful driving practices.

2. Keep Vehicles Maintained and Road-Ready

Proactive vehicle maintenance ensures vehicles are ready for use and less likely to break down on the road — reducing potential downtime.

The correct care can also have a significant impact on vehicle handling and the longevity of different components.

Properly inflated tires, for example, can make many vehicles easier to control and can also help tires last longer. Under-inflated tires tend to run much hotter, according to studies on tractor-trailer tire performance, and just 20% under-inflation can decrease tire lifespan by 30%.

Because tires naturally deflate over time — and because tire pressure can increase or decrease as temperatures change — it’s not unusual for vehicle tires to become under-inflated.

The right grade of motor oil can provide similar benefits for lifespan and fuel economy.

Preventive maintenance is more expensive than repairing vehicles as problems arise, but it can help fleet managers drive down overall upkeep costs in the long run.

Advanced telematics systems can provide fleet managers with instant notification on unusual performance or behavior, allowing them to schedule inspections or repairs as quickly as possible.

For example, networked tire pressure sensors can provide managers with a real-time view of fleet-wide tire pressure readings. Data from engine control units or similar onboard sensors can alert managers when components begin to fail or flag warnings.

In the near future, these systems may also enable predictive maintenance, a maintenance strategy that uses vehicle performance data and AI algorithms to determine when care will be needed.

3. Shop Based on Lifetime Costs

It’s not unusual for a fleet manager to primarily base purchasing decisions on a vehicle’s sticker price. While price will have a major short-term impact on budgets, it doesn’t always reflect how much it will cost in the long term.

Maintenance and fuel costs, downtime, taxation, and insurance can significantly impact a vehicle’s lifetime and recurring expenses. Opting for vehicles that are more expensive but reliable and cheaper to maintain can reduce fleet costs significantly.

When buying a new vehicle, consider reviewing weight and size, vehicle maintenance schedule and customer reviews. Owners may also want to investigate the possible savings alternative fuel vehicles may provide by eliminating the need for gasoline and diesel.

Adopting a forward-looking approach to vehicle and equipment purchasing can help in other ways, as well.

For example, the construction industry currently faces rising demand for almost every type of equipment as the economy recovers from COVID-19. Demand significantly outpaces the industry’s current workforce capacity and supply of resources and heavy equipment.

After a weak year, demand for heavy machinery recovered and then hit record highs in 2021. Many machines are in especially high demand as both residential and non-residential construction starts continue to trend upwards to pre-pandemic levels.

Demand for concrete pumps is expected to rise to meet the need for new foundations and infrastructure investments. At the same time, tight supply has already caused significant price increases for skid steer loaders, tractors, earthmovers and other types of construction equipment.

Considering the state of the market and likely future demand will help managers make additional purchases in the future, when prices are higher and vehicles are harder to come by.

4. Optimize Driver Routes

Efficient route planning is one of the best ways to reduce fuel costs and keep operating expenses low. Many modern fleet scheduling and management solutions offer tools that help managers find the fastest possible route for each given job.

The tool uses information like vehicle location, fuel economy, traffic and even weather conditions to automatically schedule routes so drivers reach jobs as quickly as possible, with minimal fuel consumption.

Savings from optimized routes can add up over time, helping teams cut down on one of the most significant fleet expenses.

5. Know How and When to Right-Size

Fleet right-sizing is the process of purging underutilized or overly specialized vehicles from a fleet. These vehicles are likely not necessary for operations or can be replaced by more useful models. They can significantly increase maintenance, storage and fuel costs while they remain with a business.

The right-sizing process typically follows a few steps, some of which can help managers identify underperforming vehicles in any fleet:

1. Break the fleet down into major vehicle groups or classifications.

2. Calculate average utilization for each vehicle or machine (often a measure of business mileage over a year-long period, or hours in use).

3. Identify vehicles with particularly low utilization — typically in the bottom 25 or 50 percent.

4. Identify low-utilization vehicles that are still necessary for operations.

5. Create a list of nonessential vehicles and right-size.

Other important metrics to use alongside utilization may include fuel consumption, maintenance costs and average hours in use. These metrics can be useful when the miles traveled metric does not accurately reflect the utility of a fleet vehicle.

The right disposal practices can help to make a business’s right-sizing more cost-effective. Selling vehicles as soon as possible after they are identified as being underutilized is important due to the high depreciation rate.

A formal disposal strategy that includes gathering users’ manuals and shop guides and cleaning and removing equipment can streamline the process.

How Fleet Managers Can Reduce Fleet Costs and Streamline Operations

Operating a fleet will always be expensive, but managers can use these practices to keep expenses within budget. Because driver behavior and maintenance costs are significant expense generators, telematics systems and procedures that track and minimize these expenses will typically be a good investment.

Management practices that take advantage of route optimization software and right-sizing strategies will also ensure minimal operating costs.

As alternative fuel vehicles become more common and practical, they may also be a good investment for fleet managers. The electricity these vehicles need is often cheaper than gasoline or diesel, and fewer moving parts can make for lower maintenance costs.

_____________________________________________________________

Emily Newton is an industrial journalist. As Editor-in-Chief of Revolutionized, she regularly covers how technology is changing the industry.

Supply Chain Industry
3pls, Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

Factors that are Reshaping the Supply Chain Industry

Leave a comment

In the modern supply chain, the technology and software you use are as important as your strategies. Plenty of decisions and actions you need to take now happen in the digital world. So, you must pick the right technology if you want to see better efficiency in your chain. In essence, choosing the solution you want to use can make or break your position on the global stage. Hence, technology is and will stay one of the main things that define the game. But, what are the exact factors that are reshaping the supply chain industry? Well, that’s what we’re here to find out.

Last year, COVID-19 took the supply chain to a new place, but not all in a bad way. The changes that took place opened new opportunities and created new practices for companies. We found ways to improve agility and eliminate risks, and things are only getting better.

To figure out how to make them better for your system, take a look at the key things that are transforming the industry at the moment.

Artificial intelligence

Algorithm-based decision-making software and data analyzers are being adopted in every niche, so it’s clear that the era of useful AI has arrived.

When it comes to the supply chains, among other things, AI can help you eliminate human error and reduce costs. It’ll allow you to restructure workflows, so all your workers can be more focused and productive. The technology will support them and make their jobs easier. We’ll explain how this happens a bit later.

The pace of technological change

Technology is developing faster than we can learn to use it. Let’s take eCommerce as an example. It provided people with a whole new way of shopping and took the world by storm. All of a sudden, you’re able to find anything you need and have it delivered to your door without ever having to leave the comfort of your home. Thanks to it, customer demands and expectations have changed. Now, they expect quick and even same-day deliveries. So, the logistics industry has to respond to that to stay in favor of people.

As a company, the only way to stay relevant is to build a reliable infrastructure and learn how to use new technology developments. Experts believe that online and mobile shopping will be the preferred way of buying for the majority of people in the future. Even today, people are getting everything from groceries to appliances online, so why would that change in the years to come?

To update your system, try to make your processes more streamlined. That will give you a better chance of keeping up with modern timeframes.

The Internet of things

We can’t talk about the factors that are reshaping the supply chain industry and not mention the Internet of things. Although most people will associate the term with smart home appliances, this technology is actually invented to deal with sensors and tracking equipment.

So, the IoT is what you’ll use if you want to reduce commercial warehousing costs. However, it can help you do much more than just that. With it, you can connect all the products, people, and processes within your organization and share information among them in real-time. Just like that, everything becomes streamlined, and your productivity goes up.

Automation and robotics

Of course, people have been using task-specific robots for decades in industries such as automotive. However, the latest generation of robots can learn how to do multiple tasks, so they have much more potential.

In supply chains, you can find a use case for these almost anywhere. Add AI into the mix, and you quickly realize that robots can bring many new things to manufacturing processes and reduce staff costs. With time, more and more repetitive or dangerous tasks will be performed by these.

Big Data

Big Data is used to track data and measure the performance of factories in real-time. In past times, to survey workers, you had to put an entire factory under surveillance. But today, modern sensors and networks give us insights that we couldn’t get before. You can even collect data on each and every employee if you want to. This way, you’ll spot problems much more easily and fix them sooner.

When you remove the bottlenecks in the delivery process, you’ll also improve the lives of your workers. You’ll streamline their roles, and they won’t waste time on unnecessary or frustrating tasks. If you rely on Big Data-driven decision-making, you’ll create a leaner business model and reduce wastage.

3D printing

If we’re talking about prototyping new products and designs, there isn’t a tool as useful as 3D printing. Companies that invested in it say that they managed to halve their prototype production times, and that’s a huge thing. If you have to wait for weeks until you get parts to start working, that creates problems right down the supply chain. It lengthens the process and increases the costs. On the other hand, 3D printing alleviates supply chain weaknesses that already exist.

Use it, and you can apply design iterations to the molds within hours. So, you’ll be speeding up the process and encouraging the closer engagement of product designers and the manufacturing team. And for that, 3D printing is one of the factors that are reshaping the supply chain industry.

Factors that are reshaping the supply chain industry – delivered

Incredible advancements in technology are at the root of all factors that are reshaping the supply chain industry. If you fail to incorporate them, you will fall behind. Therefore, follow the latest trends and introduce the changes that will streamline your processes, make your business functioning more efficiently and productive.

_______________________________________________________________

Deon Williams is a freelance writer with a degree in systems engineering. Although it’s not his main job, he loves to write articles and share his expertise. In the past, Deon helped companies like zippyshelldmv.com to streamline their processes and increase their earnings. When he’s not working, he loves to read in his comfy chair and play basketball with his two sons. 

innovations
Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Stories

5 Innovations in Manufacturing Processes and Their Effect on the Bottom Line

Leave a comment

Manufacturing is a rapidly evolving industry. With a broad spectrum of sectors depending on manufacturing, modern facilities are often quick to adopt new technology that improves on their existing processes.

The rise of automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and data have created a wave of digital transformation. As manufacturing grows and becomes increasingly competitive, capitalizing on Industry 4.0 innovations can determine whether or not a company will succeed.

Here’s a look at five of these innovations and how they affect the bottom line.

1. Cobots

Robots aren’t new in the manufacturing industry. But as automation has grown, new approaches and technologies have emerged that can take its benefits further. Collaborative robots, or cobots, are one of the most significant of these upgrades to factory automation.

In a 2021 study, 44.9% of surveyed businesses said that robots are an integral part of their operations. Of those companies, 34.9% had adopted cobots. Cobots have slowly become more popular as manufacturers have realized the limits of traditional automation. Other robotic solutions are expensive and inflexible, making it difficult to scale, but not cobots.

Since cobots work alongside humans instead of replacing them, they typically automate fewer processes at once. Consequently, they’re often more affordable than traditional automation and easier to implement. Manufacturers can then automate one process at a time, slowly scaling up to meet demand or new challenges.

This incremental approach to automation removes the high upfront costs and disruptions of traditional automation. As a result, cobots enable manufacturers, especially smaller businesses, to scale up and down with ease. These companies can then enjoy quicker, higher ROIs.

2. IoT Sensors

Another growing innovation in manufacturing is the implementation of internet of things (IoT) sensors. While these technologies aren’t a manufacturing-specific phenomenon, they hold considerable potential in this sector. Perhaps their most popular and impressive use case is predictive maintenance.

Predictive maintenance improves on traditional maintenance schedules by avoiding both breakdowns and unnecessary repairs. According to a Deloitte report, it reduces maintenance costs by 25% on average. That’s an impressive figure on its own, but it also reduces breakdowns by an average of 70%.

Considering that an hour of downtime costs more than $100,000 in 98% of organizations, that adds up to considerable savings. Predictive maintenance isn’t the only application of IoT sensors in manufacturing, either.

Manufacturers can also use these sensors to gather data points throughout their operations. This data can then reveal areas of potential improvement, enabling ongoing optimization. The longer manufacturers use these technologies, the more they can save through them.

3. Additive Manufacturing

One recent innovation that is specific to manufacturing is 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing. While this technology is most well known as a tool for hobbyists, it originated as an industrial production technique. Recent advances have made it a more viable solution, leading to a comeback in industrial manufacturing.

Additive manufacturing lets manufacturers produce parts and products as a single piece instead of assembling multiple smaller components. Like mil-spec buffer tubes, which are made of a single piece of aluminum, this improves products’ strength and resiliency. As a result, they produce fewer defects, improving the company’s bottom line.

Since additive manufacturing adds material instead of cutting it away, it also reduces waste. Manufacturers can get more parts or products from the same amount of materials. 3D printers also typically work faster than traditional production techniques, leading to a quicker time to market.

Additive manufacturing is also more energy-efficient. Some products, like car batteries, require a lot of energy to handle the sensitive materials they need, leading to higher costs. By reducing energy consumption through additive manufacturing, facilities can increase their profit margins. Alternatively, they could reduce end prices, selling more with consistent profit margins.

4. 5G Connectivity

Like the IoT, 5G isn’t strictly a manufacturing technology, but it has impressive potential for the sector. 5G networks aren’t widespread enough yet to bring substantial improvements to the consumer sector, but they’re ideal for manufacturing facilities. Their higher bandwidth, increased speeds and lower latency let smart manufacturing reach its full height.

5G networks can theoretically support up to one million devices per square kilometer, ten times 4G’s limits. That will allow manufacturers to expand their IoT infrastructure to virtually every machine in the facility. Lower latencies will allow these interconnected systems to communicate more efficiently and reliably, unlocking Industry 4.0’s potential.

With all of these machines connected to one another, manufacturers could create cohesive autonomous environments. If a disruption occurs in one process, machines down the line could know and adapt to it, minimizing its impact. As a result, manufacturers could maintain higher productivity levels, minimizing their losses from lost time.

5G lets manufacturers use technologies like the IoT and automation to their full extent. This leads to higher ROIs for these significant investments.

5. Machine Vision Error Detection

AI has many use cases in manufacturing, but one of its most enticing is machine vision. Machine vision systems let manufacturers automate quality control processes at both the front and back end of production lines. This automation, in turn, improves the efficiency and accuracy of their error detection.

When Heineken installed a machine vision quality control system in its Marseille, France bottling plant, it highlighted this technology’s benefits. The facility’s bottling machine operates at 22 bottles per second, far too fast for human workers to spot any bottle defects without stopping it. The machine vision system, on the other hand, can analyze bottles at speed with a 0% error rate.

Machine vision error detection lets manufacturers increase production while maintaining the same level of quality. Since these systems deliver a level of consistency impossible for a human, they’re also more accurate. As a result, facilities will also produce fewer defects.

Fewer defects translate into less waste, and faster checking enables increased output. These factors combined result in an improved bottom line.

New Technologies Make Manufacturing More Profitable

These five technologies aren’t the only ones pushing manufacturing forward, but they are among the most notable. As more facilities embrace these innovations, manufacturing is becoming a more profitable industry.

Technologies like these improve efficiency, minimize errors, optimize operations and more. Manufacturers that can capitalize on them early will ensure their future success, and those that don’t may quickly fall behind.

AI
Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Software

AI Beyond the Hype: This is Our Moment to Embrace Digitization

Leave a comment

AI for business is one of the most talked-about innovations and for good reason. As in other areas of our lives, it holds the potential to fundamentally alter the processes and structures humanity has been accustomed to for decades and, in some cases, even centuries.

Yet, like many other groundbreaking technologies before it, when it comes to real-world business processes, it’s understandable to feel that the recent attention around AI’s value has outpaced the current reality. Yes, today AI can more precisely tailor content recommendations in social media apps like Instagram, Twitter and YouTube and help refine the photos we take on our phones.

But where is the AI-driven revolution in the way we work—helping us do our jobs better, more efficiently, and unlocking value in unexpected places? We believe it’s here, today.

How do we know? Because at BT Sourced, our new standalone procurement company within the BT Group, we’ve already started to see the benefits. We’ve come to believe that, properly implemented, AI can be a game-changer—and that while there’s a lot of excitement about the future of AI, we’re proof that the future is now. Here’s why.


Why AI—and Why Now?

Out of sheer necessity, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated what had been a gradual shift toward the rapid digitization of procurement. In the face of disruption, from remote work to shortages of goods and services across the value chain, having the adaptability to quickly source the best suppliers became critical. Agile procurement teams armed with cutting-edge technology were and will continue to be, best positioned to streamline sourcing, driving long-term growth and value for the BT customer and operating model.

Deloitte’s 2021 Global Chief Procurement Officer Survey found that driving operational efficiencies was the new No. 1 priority for CPOs, replacing reducing costs for the first time in the report’s 10-year history. In this next normal, procurement must modernize and simplify its processes to become faster and more agile for the near and long term.

The biggest barrier to transforming procurement is changing the way people work. Critically, the new AI-powered platform BT Sourced is using enables us to collaborate from any location by improving visibility, workflows, and communication across all functions. Increasing agility and efficiency is also key to achieving another important goal: enabling a greater focus on strategic initiatives and collaboration.

Adopting AI, along with tools that feature analytical intelligence and enable self-procurement, means our teams can now study recurring behaviors, empower end-users and discover new areas to contribute value. These new platforms are giving us the insights to make fast, data-driven decisions that benefit everyone throughout our value chain. They can be shared across the business, enabling us to work more closely than ever with our stakeholders while AI manages manual and repetitive tasks in the background.

AI for Good 

The financial benefits of AI and automation in procurement are clear. But what about other important goals such as inclusion and corporate social responsibility? How can AI in procurement support workforce development and contribute to the greater good?

At BT Sourced, we’re committed to expanding economic opportunity and reducing our environmental impact. In many ways, AI supports our commitment to more sustainable sourcing—from driving new efficiencies to enabling deeper analysis and awareness of environmental, social and financial risks throughout our supply chain. Now more than ever, we’re able to more precisely track compliance with our global responsibility model, sustainability criteria and principles of responsible behavior for suppliers regarding ethics, conduct, social issues and the environment.

We’re also leveraging AI to support supplier diversity and inclusion, expanding our network to include qualified alternatives from a base of top-performing, diverse small and midsize companies, increasing access to innovative service providers that may have otherwise been overlooked.

The Present and Future of AI

As the last year has proven, AI is no longer procurement’s future—it is our present and, without question, our future. Agile, value-added procurement requires the insights and efficiency that only AI and automation can deliver at scale. The pressing need to develop more responsible, inclusive supply chains and practices only makes the case for digital transformation stronger.

We have an unprecedented opportunity for change. Companies have a unique opportunity to move quickly to modernize their procurement technology and achieve benefits for both their stakeholders and their broader communities. We’ve arrived at the right moment to disrupt traditional models and processes, making the vision of a more efficient, sustainable and inclusive AI-powered future, a reality today.

_________________________________________________________________

Cyril Pourrat is the Chief Procurement Officer at BT Group