AI-Powered Agility: Transforming Supply Chains with Smart, Flexible Technologies
Jenn Tabbert, Director of Commercial Enablement for Global, continues to champion the power of software in supply chain management. With over 11 years at Dematic, she shares valuable insights on how flexible technologies are solving industry-wide challenges by integrating diverse solutions and optimizing operations.
With increasingly complex supply chains, the need has never been more urgent for streamlined, integrated solutions. Without the right technology in place, companies risk inefficiencies, increased costs, and missed opportunities for optimisation. Managing multiple systems for analytics, optimisation, and data can become overwhelming, leading to disjointed operations and limited visibility across supply chains. For companies looking to optimise their operations, it is essential for them to understand how software and AI capabilities unify systems and create a more efficient supply chain.
Tackling industry challenges with integrated solutions
With the rise of flexible technologies, companies must face the complexity of bringing together various systems. Jenn points out that one of the challenges she sees across industries is the need to integrate multiple point solutions into a single holistic ecosystem. Each component — from analytics to optimisation— functions well on its own but, when working alongside other systems, the risk of inefficiency increases. Facilities run the risk of having multiple brains within them, all running against each other.
Dematic’s holistic approach simplifies the complex web of solutions many companies are now having to manage within their warehouses. By offering a broad spectrum of solutions that unify disparate technologies under one platform, Dematic provides a comprehensive view of operations. This integration simplifies decision-making, streamlines processes from receiving to shipping, and reduces the complexity of maintaining multiple systems.
“Dematic can really help our customers solve this challenge through our breadth of portfolio — having the ability to not only provide multiple technologies but to stitch them together with one platform.”
The role of AI in smarter decision-making
AI has become a transformative force, revolutionising numerous industries and technological applications. In particular, its application in supply chain and logistics can lead to significant advancements for businesses. When thinking about AI, people are generally considering its ability to make smart decisions using data. Dematic is already doing that from an algorithm standpoint. Through sophisticated algorithms, Dematic solutions harness data to enhance decision-making processes and optimise operations.
Looking ahead, the next phase of AI development promises even greater innovation as it takes more data in real time to make smart decisions and teaches the software how to fine-tune on its own. This self-optimising technology will minimise the need for human intervention, allowing systems to adapt and enhance operations dynamically.
End-to-end integration beyond the warehouse
The implications of AI go beyond the warehouse environment. As companies seek greater end-to-end integration, the volume of data available for analysis can be staggering. Leveraging AI will allow them to process this vast data effectively, enabling informed decision-making across the entire supply chain — from order fulfilment to logistics management.
This broader perspective allows companies to optimise their entire supply chain strategy, considering factors like inventory levels, customer demand, and market dynamics in real-time. Adopting these AI-driven insights is key to staying agile and resilient in a competitive market and ensuring that they will be able to respond dynamically to changing demands by streamlining operations at every level.
“We’re moving toward using AI to look across entire networks and make order fulfilment decisions — not just within the four walls of a warehouse, but across multiple facilities.”
This approach is particularly effective in sectors such as food and beverage where direct-store delivery can enhance speed, freshness, and accuracy. By focusing on these specific requirements, Dematic helps customers navigate through their unique challenges to improve operational efficiency and gain a competitive edge.
Navigating the future of supply chains with Dematic
With supply chains evolving rapidly, integrating flexible technologies and AI is critical. Dematic solutions empower companies to unify operations, eliminate silos, and make smarter, data-driven decisions across their entire supply chain. Implementing predictive AI allows companies to anticipate trends and proactively prepare for future challenges.
In uncertain times, software-driven optimisation remains the best path to achieving operational resilience.
To learn more about how AI is shaping the future of supply chain management, read Brett Webster's article on data-driven strategies.