Without access to sales trends, the supplier can’t see actual demand, making it difficult to respond quickly to changes and forcing them to hold excess inventory as a “safety buffer.”

Companies will need to implement powerful governance frameworks, invest in training, and ensure transparency in AI-driven processes.

Demand-sensing is important, and is much improved by AI. But pricing and inventory modeling are important too.

The challenge for manufacturers of complex configurable products is that configurable options and rules are defined in multiple systems. 

Supply chain leaders interested in implementing AI agents should start with clearly defined, limited-scope projects addressing specific pain points.

Mid-sized fleets cannot afford to rely solely on internal metrics to navigate today's bumpy terrain and heightened competition in the supply chain environment.

Open-source, cloud-based solutions from optimization to robotics — offered à la carte, via subscription — deliver access to cutting-edge technologies as needed, and at relatively low cost.

Newsflash: A trade war is upon us.

“They be moving away from ‘trucks and sheds’ to a much more customer-oriented role," said Tom Enright, vice president analyst at Gartner.

The incorporation of sustainability into packaging strategies is increasingly vital for brands aiming to meet consumer expectations and achieve long-term success.