How artificial intelligence is changing supply chain management
The opinion of a Swiss IT service provider on the subject of 'Artificial intelligence in supply chain management'.
In the field of supply chain management, artificial intelligence (AI) is often seen as a disruptive technology that has the potential to revolutionise the way businesses operate. AI is a technology that enables machines to learn and work autonomously and make decisions based on data.
Note: PolygonSoftware wrote this article using artificial intelligence. Learn more
Applications of AI in supply chain management
There are many potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in supply chain management. Some of the most promising applications are:
Demand forecasting
One of the most important tasks for supply chain managers is to predict the demand for products and services. AI can be used to predict demand by analysing past data and trends. This can help supply chain managers plan for future demand and ensure they have the necessary resources.
Inventory optimisation
Another important task for supply chain managers is the optimisation of inventory. With the help of AI, inventory can be optimised by analysing data on previous sales, supplier performance and other factors. This can ensure that the right amount of inventory is available without creating overstocks or bottlenecks.
Forecasting prices
AI can also be used to forecast prices. By analysing data on past prices and trends, AI can help supply chain managers anticipate price fluctuations and make more accurate price forecasts.
Tracking supplier performance
To ensure that products are delivered on time and to quality standards, it is important to track supplier performance. With the help of AI, you can track supplier performance by analysing data on previous deliveries, order fulfilment times and other factors. This can help supply chain managers identify and address supplier performance issues.
Advantages of AI in supply chain management
The benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) in supply chain management are enormous and far-reaching. By automating the decision-making process, AI can help companies optimise their operations, reduce costs and improve customer service.
Some of the specific benefits of AI in supply chain management are:
Improved efficiency and accuracy.
Because AI automates the decision-making process, companies can improve the accuracy and efficiency of their operations.
Increased visibility and transparency.
AI can help companies gain a better understanding of their supply chains by providing insight into factors such as inventory levels, order history and supplier performance.
Faster response times
AI can speed up the decision-making process, enabling companies to respond more quickly to changing market conditions and customer needs.
Lower costs
AI can help companies reduce costs by automating tasks such as inventory management, order processing and price optimisation.
Improved customer service
AI can help businesses provide a better customer experience by automating tasks such as order tracking and product recommendations.
Challenges of AI in supply chain management
The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in supply chain management is still in its infancy and there are several challenges that need to be overcome before it can be widely deployed. One of the most important challenges is the lack of standard definitions and terminology for AI and related concepts. This can make it difficult to identify the specific technologies and applications that fall under the term AI. Another challenge is the lack of data. AI relies on large amounts of data to be effective, and most supply chains do not have the amount or variety of data needed for AI-based decision making. Another problem is the lack of trust in AI-based systems. Many people are reluctant to rely on decisions made by machines, especially when those decisions could have a significant impact on their business. Finally, there are concerns about the potential impact of AI on jobs. Many people fear that AI will lead to widespread job losses as machines take over tasks that can be done more efficiently by robots.
Conclusion
In summary, as supply chains become more complex and demand for faster and more accurate information increases, the role of artificial intelligence in supply chain management will become increasingly important. By automating tasks and making better use of data, AI can help supply chains become more efficient and responsive to changing market conditions.
