The Future of Artificial Intelligence and Automation within Supply Chain Management

Supply Chain Management is now embarking on the George Jetson era; within that cartoon, it embodied robots and flying computerized cars. Pioneer companies such as Tesla debuting and developing autonomous trucks that can complete 500 miles in one charge with the ability to carry up to 80,000 lbs of cargo. Although a driver is still required to be behind the wheel of the autonomous trucks technological pioneers, such as Tesla, may minimize the number of drivers required within supply chain management.

The future of automation is here especially with more companies willing to invest in technology and automation. McCrea (2018) found, “According to  Peerless Research Group’s most recent automation survey, 45% of the  companies surveyed want to invest in robotics (palletizing, picking or other solutions) and 43% are interested in conveyor and sortation systems, automated storage and automatic guided vehicles” (p. 54). These initiatives will forever modify how supply chain management processes commodities, conducts business, addresses client needs and will reshape the modern-day workforce into smaller groups of skilled employees.

Contributor: Lovo Chaka

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About Allyn International

Allyn International provides high quality, customer centric services and solutions for the global marketplace. Allyn's core products include transportation management, logistics sourcing, freight forwarding, supply chain consulting, tax management and global trade compliance. Allyn clients range from small local businesses to Fortune 500 firms. Allyn conducts business in more than 20 languages and has extensive experience in both developed and emerging markets. Highly trained experts are positioned throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Allyn’s regional headquarters are strategically located in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.A., Shanghai, P.R. China and Prague, Czech Republic. For more information, visit www.allynintl.com.

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Reference:

Mcrea, Bridget. (2018, February). The Future of Retail Distribution. Logistics Management,  52-55.