Supply Chain Analytics: Redefining Business Operations
Author : Priyanka | October 19, 2023
Imagine a world where businesses can predict customer demand with uncanny accuracy, optimize their inventory levels to perfection, and seamlessly coordinate their entire supply chain network. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, supply chain analytics has made this dream a reality.
It is a crucial tool in today's competitive business landscape, enabling organizations to unlock hidden insights, eliminate bottlenecks, and transform their operations.
So, get ready to delve into the exciting world of supply chain analytics and discover the possibilities for transforming your business to the next level.
What is Supply Chain Analytics?
Supply chain analytics refers to the procedures companies employ to gain understanding and derive significance from the extensive volumes of data associated with the sourcing, processing, and distribution of products. This approach utilizes various data analytics techniques and tools to enhance the management, operations, and efficacy of supply chain processes. This process thoroughly examines the data to gain insights into patterns, detect areas of inefficiency, and develop effective solutions.
Supply chain management (SCM) analysts rely on analytics to make informed choices when it comes to designing, managing, and optimizing global distribution networks.
According to Kings Research, the global supply chain analytics market is foreseen to accrue USD 32.18 billion in revenue by 2030, expanding at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 20.32% from 2023 to 2030.
Prevalent Types of Supply Chain Analytics
Below, we have curated a list of five primary types of supply chain analytics:
1. Descriptive analytics
Descriptive analytics is a method used by logistics professionals to analyze trends and relationships in supply chain performance and warehouse inventory levels.
2. Diagnostic analytics
Diagnostic analytics aids logistics professionals in identifying supply chain issues, identifying trends, and understanding the factors contributing to them, thereby preventing delays or missed sales targets.
3. Predictive analytics
It aids logistics professionals in predicting future events and constructing statistical models to prepare for both common and less common events, such as seasonal demand fluctuations or global disruptions.
4. Prescriptive analytics
Prescriptive analytics is a method used by logistics professionals to design solutions to identified problems, utilizing data to prescribe actions for improved inventory management and operational efficiency.
5. Cognitive analytics
Cognitive analytics, utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning, aids logistics professionals in efficiently managing and understanding large amounts of data generated by supply chains daily.
Prominent Benefits of Supply Chain Analytics for Businesses
Supply chain analytics offers a range of benefits to businesses, as follows:
- Enhanced Visibility and Decision-Making
It offers data-driven insights to businesses for comprehensive visibility into their supply chain, enabling them to identify bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and make informed decisions.
- Improved Demand Sensing and Forecasting
It helps businesses analyze consumer data, improve demand prediction, optimize inventory, reduce stockouts, and enhance customer satisfaction by accurately sensing demand and aligning supply with production plans.
- Cost Savings and Efficiency
It optimizes resource allocation, reduces inventory costs, and minimizes waste by analyzing production, transportation, and procurement data, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and mitigating risks.
- Supply Chain Optimization
Supply chain analytics helps businesses optimize their supply chain processes by analyzing supplier performance, logistics, and inventory management, identifying inefficiencies, and reducing lead times, leading to improved productivity and customer satisfaction.
- Real-Time Insights and Adaptability
With real-time data, it enables businesses to adapt to market changes, customer preferences, and disruptions, ensuring agility, resource optimization, and competitiveness in a dynamic business environment.
- Improved Collaboration and Supplier Relationships
It enhances collaboration among stakeholders, fostering stronger relationships, improving coordination, and identifying opportunities for joint process improvements, cost savings, and innovation.
Innovations in Supply Chain Analytics
The recent innovation in this field include:
1. Cloud-Native Platform
Cloud-based supply chain analytics platforms offer scalability, flexibility, and remote management to accommodate the growing needs of businesses.
The best example of this technology is Oracle. The company offers a range of products and solutions for supply chain analytics. Its Oracle Supply Chain Management (SCM) Cloud platform includes advanced analytics capabilities for demand planning, inventory optimization, transportation management, and supply chain collaboration. With features like AI-driven insights and predictive analytics, Oracle helps businesses make data-driven decisions and improve overall supply chain efficiency.
2. Voice Recognition System
Voice recognition technology plays a crucial role in this field, particularly in the context of warehouse operations. It enables hands-free and efficient processes, improves accuracy, and facilitates real-time decision-making.
To cite an example, Intellestra by Voxware, a leading platform, focuses on voice-directed warehousing and supply chain analytics. Its product combines voice recognition technology with analytics capabilities to provide real-time insights into warehouse operations. Through these augmented reality-based voice-directed workflows and analytics-driven dashboards, Intellestra enables businesses to optimize inventory management, improve order accuracy, and enhance overall warehouse productivity.
3. AI and Blockchain Technology
AI and Blockchain technology have the potential to revolutionize supply chain analytics by providing a secure and transparent platform for recording and verifying transactions.
Industry leader IBM has developed several innovative products in this field. One of its notable offerings is the IBM Sterling Supply Chain Suite, which leverages AI and blockchain technology to enhance supply chain visibility, optimize inventory, and improve order fulfillment. The suite includes various modules for supply chain planning, order management, inventory optimization, and logistics analytics, helping businesses drive operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Precision Redefined
Supply chain analytics is revolutionizing businesses worldwide by replacing guesswork and intuition with data-driven decision-making and optimization. It improves demand forecasting, inventory management, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction. However, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution and requires investment in the right tools and technologies.
Data quality, integration, and governance are crucial for success. As supply chains grow, the importance of analytics will increase, with Industry 4.0 technologies like IoT, AI, and ML revolutionizing real-time monitoring and autonomous decision-making. By embracing this technology, organizations can unlock their potential, improve performance, and create value for customers.