FOCUS ON SUPPLY CHAINS
in the future ) to overcome obstacles in an increasingly effective , rapid and sustainable way .
For businesses , any interruption or slowdown in the production flow is a major critical issue . The scarcity and cost of raw materials , logistical problems and the absence of systems capable of connecting suppliers and customers in a fluid and efficient way are just some of the most critical factors to be addressed now and probably also in coming years .
More generally , we can see how the climate crisis , cyber threats and geopolitical tensions are creating an environment in which it is extremely important to design solutions capable of ensuring that companies have the greatest possible certainty and robustness .
A shift in perspective ; from chain to network
It is clear that the term “ supply chain ” ( introduced by British manager , Keith Oliver , more than 40 years ago ) has now given way to a new paradigm . While the supply chain made linearity its conceptual cornerstone , today we are witnessing a more complex system in which individual players are connected in a branched and widespread network . In this sense , it would be more correct to speak of a “ supply network ”: a dynamic and flexible system that requires a profound reassessment of the logic underlying its performance .
In this new model , software plays perhaps the most decisive role . It is through advanced and continuously evolving software that we can efficiently manage the huge amount of data that allows the entire network to function and meet the needs of an increasingly demanding market in terms of speed , efficiency and safety .
In this context , sustainability represents one of the key factors of the modern supply chain . To meet this need , companies must equip themselves with specific tools to establish their presence in this new competitive landscape . This includes the adoption of more sustainable practices and technologies that
The port at Gdansk , Poland .
help to make the entire supply chain lighter and more environmentally aware .
Predictivity and resilience
The first step in limiting the risk factors that undermine the correct flow of new supply chains is to implement tools capable of predicting the risks themselves . Obviously , greater predictive capacity offers businesses the opportunity to avoid dangerous and costly interruptions , starting from the production phase .
Given the number of factors that come into play during this phase and the complexity of the overall context , it is essential to invest in the latest software that can not only foresee any problems but also resolve them . There is a lot of room for improvement in this field and it is generally accepted that predictivity is one of the issues on which all industrial organisations , that strive to lead in the near future , will focus their efforts .
Companies will increasingly need to create management infrastructures capable of guiding a proactive response to these risks . These responses could include structural changes to the supply chain , as well as the development of detailed contingency plans for exceptional high-risk events . The introduction of resilience metrics among the supply chain ’ s KPIs , for example , will help industries to ensure the proper functioning of their supply chains by increasing efficiency and decreasing vulnerabilities .
In this sense , resilience will be one of the core values for the industry of the future . The ability to adapt quickly and effectively to critical issues is a key to success for any productive business . In summary , the more companies are able to predict risks , the more capable they will be of designing solutions to overcome them .