In today’s complex global marketplace, fostering collaboration within the supply chain is more crucial than ever. This need for enhanced cooperation hinges on improved data transparency, a sentiment echoed prominently during the Mount Visibility track at the inNOWvate Supply Chain Event held in Amsterdam. Industry leaders, including Celonis, Uber Freight, Streamliner, Optilogic, Loftware, and Trusty, highlighted various innovative tools and platforms aimed at facilitating this transparency, which in turn is believed to improve overall supply chain performance significantly.
Kris van Ransbeek, co-founder of Streamliner, opened the discussion with a thought-provoking comparison to human cooperation in prehistoric times, as described in Yuval Noah Harari’s “Sapiens.” Van Ransbeek suggested that the modern supply chain lacks the cooperative spirit that enabled humanity to thrive in a challenging ecosystem. He pointed out the frustrations of chaotic planning in today’s fragmented supply chains, illustrated by a common scenario where warehouses are uninformed about incoming shipments until they arrive at their ports. This last-minute sharing of information, he argued, is symptomatic of a broader issue where supply chain partners are not effectively connected. By promoting real-time data exchange akin to social media platforms, Streamliner aims to mitigate these inefficiencies, thereby enhancing communication and coordination among all stakeholders involved.
The urgency for closer collaboration across supply chains is further supported by research from Loftware, which reveals that 84% of respondents value participation in a data-sharing ecosystem. This collaborative model not only ensures compliance and authenticity but also facilitates better goods traceability. Nigel Street, Senior Vice President of Sales at Loftware, cited the need for such ecosystems in light of significant regulatory changes, particularly those implemented following President Trump’s announcement of import tariffs. The necessity to adhere to these regulations while controlling costs underscores the importance of collaborative efforts within supply chains.
Loftware’s role in this landscape is noteworthy; the company has developed a robust platform for efficient product labelling that not only aids in compliance but also enhances logistical operations. As highlighted by Street, accurate labeling is vital for the smooth receipt of goods, a process that can either facilitate or hinder operational efficiency depending on its execution. Delays or errors in labelling can lead to costly returns and re-labelling efforts, emphasising the critical nature of precise supply chain documentation.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising collaboration further, as demonstrated by Guy Roijen, Sales Director at Uber Freight. His firm’s platform harnesses AI to negotiate shipment prices with a multitude of carriers simultaneously—an efficiency that traditional methods could only dream of achieving. The upcoming launch of an AI Insights chatbot aims to enhance user interactions by providing rapid, data-driven responses to inquiries about shipment statuses, thereby further streamlining supply chain management.
Celonis is employing GenAI technology not just for efficiency but also for process oversight, creating what they term a digital twin of business operations. Maarten van der Borden, Customer Transformation Director at Celonis, explained how this approach can pinpoint deviations from standard procedures in real time, enabling proactive adjustments within operational processes. This method, including innovative applications that manage spare parts inventory, illustrates the potent combination of AI and machine learning to foster an adaptable and responsive supply chain.
However, as Daniel Bermejo, co-founder of Trusty, reminded participants, the consequences of neglecting compliance are significant. He pointed to the $10 million settlement faced by John Deere due to a bribery scandal, highlighting how even reputable companies are not immune to lapses in ethical practices. Bermejo’s assertion that many businesses focus compliance audits on the top tier of suppliers while overlooking a significant percentage that may pose greater risks underscores the need for more inclusive oversight—especially in the face of new EU regulations mandating comprehensive supplier screening.
In light of this, Neeru Bhopal, Senior Product Manager at Optilogic, discussed how businesses are grappling with fundamental supply chain design decisions. Companies are increasingly tasked with choosing between offshoring and nearshoring strategies, while also re-evaluating their inventory practices. Optilogic’s innovative software aims to democratise access to supply chain network design tools, empowering a broader range of employees to contribute to strategic supply chain decisions. Moreover, their Lumina Tariff Optimizer provides actionable insights into how tariffs impact costs and profitability, enabling swift decision-making to mitigate financial risks associated with international trade.
The integration of these diverse tools and technologies signifies a shifting paradigm in supply chain management—a movement towards a future where collaboration and transparency are not merely aspirational concepts but essential operational principles. In a landscape increasingly defined by regulatory scrutiny and global competition, the ability to foster interconnectedness and cooperation among all supply chain participants is not just beneficial but necessary for long-term success.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
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