When the term automation comes up, most people experience a brief sci-fi laden slideshow in their heads. It’s the year 2021, humanoid robots take to the streets disrupting life as we know it and clashing with their old human masters. Lucky for us, when it comes to the world of supply chain automation, robots are more about increasing efficiency and less the whole enslaving humanity angle.
It’s no secret that demand for flexible, accurate and nimble supply chain logistics is on the rise. As consumer and client bases continue to grow at rapid rates, supply chains will need to adapt to larger, more complex methods of information and product transportation. However, there are many time-consuming processes that go along with managing a successful supply chain.
Here is where automation steps in. Time-wasting processes can fall into automated workflows, and human employees can spend more time forecasting, analyzing trend data and developing relationships with clients.
With so many benefits to adopting automation, it may come as a surprise that a recent BCI study shows that nearly 63% of companies do not use technology to monitor their supply chain performance.
In this article, we will discuss why to adopt, why not to adopt and how the trends in automation are affecting supply chain management around the world.
Automation is coming, whether or not we get on board comments Lisa Anderson, founder and president of LMA Consulting Group.