These past two weeks, I had the opportunity to attend the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) Connect Conference in Austin, Texas, followed by running three #DDBrix sessions in Austin, Houston, and Dallas. It was an insightful experience, one that further solidified the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our field. AI was mentioned in over 80% of the presentations, and most exhibitors referred to it at their stands, highlighting how it is becoming deeply embedded in supply chain operations. I’m so glad that Martin Sewell now leads the B2Wise innovations team and is focused on making AI easily accessible for our clients through #COMMWise.
My key takeaway from the three DDBrix sessions is that while AI is on everyone’s radar, many companies still need to get the fundamentals right. Our message of combining #Lean principles with MRP to form a new operational model called #DDMRP was an eye-opener and very well-received. But, even this new innovative operational model must at ensure that AI integrates seamlessly and meaningfully.
However, the crucial lesson I learnt was that we must continue emphasizing the importance of training as the core of this transformation. C-level executives need to remember that while AI might seem impressive in the boardroom, it’s not a silver bullet. The underlying methodologies must be robust, and before adopting complex solutions, organizations need to get their processes right and invest in training their teams. A solid understanding of the processes and a well-trained team is essential to ensure the systems work efficiently and that everyone—from planners to executives—are on the same page.
As we push forward into this new AI-driven era, we must not lose sight of the basics. Systems are only as good as the people using them, and a well-trained team remains our greatest asset.
Think flow,
Kevin Boake
