When it comes to integrating emerging technologies such as GenAI into end-to-end operations, plenty of moving parts must come together to enable success. Ask yourself: Does your company have the right ecosystem of technology solutions and partners in place to enable you to run and accelerate your operations in a differentiated manner? As you plot the people, process and technology changes that need to be enacted for a technology-enabled operational future, take steps to ensure you build a technology ecosystem that includes all internal resources but also factors in relationships, expectations and interactions with your universe of vendors, suppliers and other aligned resources.
Understand how emerging technology enables integrated operations
Technology can play a fundamental role in enabling supply chain operations to become more strategic by providing tools and capabilities that enhance supply chain visibility, decision-making, optimize processes and improve overall performance. Emerging technologies are helping companies to validate their strategic vision though improved forecasting accuracy, detailed simulations of customer and market behaviors and exploration of new areas for growth. Technology is also enabling better workforce optimization, helping to ensure all employees are in the right locations to serve customers and that they have the skill sets and training to drive the company mission forward.
Determine which technologies will have significant impact on operations
There are several key technologies to grasp that are impacting integrated operations now and into the near future:
- Composite GenAI enabling intelligence: combines application of multiple GenAI techniques to improve the efficiency and accuracy of learning.
- Augmented connected workforce: includes technologies such as augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) to reduce the time required for onboarding for an employee to become fully productive.
- Next-generation humanoid robots: robots that look like humans will take on dangerous or repetitive jobs in manufacturing. Humanoid robots will also inspect, assemble and assist with logistics.
- AI-enabled vision systems: cameras and sensors will help augment autonomous operations and improve data accuracy.
- Data analytics and predictive modeling: these technologies are used to improve accuracy for forecasting, ordering and optimization.
- IoT and real-time monitoring: the sensorization of equipment and machines aids operations in staying online, efficient and safe.
- Cloud computing and collaboration tools: integrated data and applications help enable speed and efficiencies in daily operations.
- Digital twins: these technologies help simulate decisions in the design of products, optimization of plants, networks and physical infrastructure.
- Cybersecurity: intrusion detection systems, next-generation firewalls, identity access and management technologies, anti-malware tools and more help enable a safe and connected supply chain ecosystem.
Consider the escalating emerging tech impact over the next five years
Operational technology is rapidly evolving, which is not only reshaping current business practices but also laying the foundation for future development. We’ll soon see synchronization of operational systems thanks to composable application architecture, enabling better, more informed decision-making; and cyber-resilient supply chain technologies will enable better and safer data sharing across organizations boundaries. Industry-based cloud platforms will connect supply chain partners, vendors, manufacturers, customers and machines, accelerating collaboration and efficiencies across supply chain networks. And 5G and futuristic XG-enabled ecosystems will enable the operation of machineries from any location with astonishing speed. Add to this AI-enabled vision systems and operators can expect advances in productivity, data accuracy and autonomous operations.
Avoid “pilot purgatory”
Not all emerging technology solutions are deployed. In fact, the supply chain and operations industry has a long history of technology exploration, with many projects becoming trapped in what is known as "pilot purgatory" — a state where initiatives fail to move beyond the pilot or testing phase and are never fully integrated into regular operations. To circumvent this common pitfall, here are four steps for successfully onboarding technology:
- Clearly define objectives, success criteria and key performance indicators (KPIs): Before embarking on an operational technology deployment, companies should clearly define their objectives and establish measurable success criteria.
- Pilot with purpose: Focus on tangible outcomes and learnings from pilot implementations, to help mitigate risks and make more informed decisions about how and when to scale projects.
- Invest in change management and training: Accelerate return on investment (ROI)and user adoption through comprehensive change management initiatives.
- Monitor and continuously improve: Through fostering a culture of continuous improvement and agility, companies can adapt to changing requirements, optimize performance and maximize their ROI over time.
The pace or proliferation of emerging and intelligent technologies in operations won’t slow down to allow organizations to catch up. It’s important for every operations executive to understand the capabilities, associated risks and demands for successful integration of these technologies into the enterprise. While integrating emerging technologies may seem overwhelming to most executives, taking a systematic and orchestrated “big picture” approach can help with alignment, ROI and adoption. With AI and other emerging technologies advancing at an exponential pace, there is no time to delay in creating a vision for the future of operations in your enterprise.
