Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 25 | Page 66

INDUSTRY WATCH or scale can be a difficult decision. This decision could be made easier by taking hold of the competitive landscape, to guide the level of adaptation required. However, prioritising the customer is a better approach. Analyse customer needs and provide solutions. With complete supply chain ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// visibility and real time insights, organisations can not only have better control of their product, but also provide control to the customer, allowing them to track progress in real time. For customers seeking specialised customisation, companies can leverage existing data by applying smart analytics and AI to determine and predict customer needs on an individual basis. This is an exciting time to be in manufacturing. The multitude of opportunities and technology options can also make it overwhelming, but with a pragmatic view, manufacturers can transgress common barriers, set realistic goals and find funding to make innovative ideas come to fruition. n Supply chain networks evolve as mobility apps challenge traditional architecture T he impact of digitisation is rapidly disrupting business models across organisations. This is becoming more prevalent in the manufacturing sector, particularly supply chain where automation and data exchange are key. Cassie Lessing, managing director of Strato IT Group, provider of business system solutions including StratoPOD, says that digitising traditional supply chains has become a critical element of businesses moving forward. “Traditionally, supply chains have been discrete and siloed often lacking integration and transparency,” he said. “By embracing digitisation, supply chains will become fully integrated ecosystems, exposing every level and player within the chain, including the end customer.” By breaking down the siloes and bringing more visibility, digitised supply chains become more agile and better able to react to changing market conditions. “Enabling real-time power within a supply chain is extremely valuable,” added Lessing. “It not only makes reaction times fast, but also provides an opportunity for scenario planning ahead of time easier and more accurate.” Lessing says that digitisation will continue to develop the supply chain, creating a network that will offer a higher level of responsiveness and resilience. “The transparency and improved efficiency of a digitised supply chain delivery will assist companies to compete more successfully, bringing much needed advantage for clients,” he said. The aim of tomorrow’s supply chain is to become proactive in terms of clients’ requirements. Lessing says that being able to anticipate disruption as opposed to being impacted by it will greatly assist clients to better manage scenario planning. “The challenge is not to be underestimated, building a robust and receptive supply network is ambitious,” he said. “Digitisation will play a key role in this development as will the mobile business apps built to assist clients.” Moving away from proprietary software and embracing mobile business apps designed to manage the agility, flexibility and transparency of tomorrow’s supply chain network is key. Strato IT Group Managing Director Cassie Lessing 66 INTELLIGENTCIO Lessing says clients need to consider those apps that integrate fully and enable a more powerful supply chain network. n www.intelligentcio.com