Supply Chain Conference Yields Insights To Accelerate Digital Transformation
The Leadership Series 2.0: Digital Transformation in Supply Chain conference was held recently to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the Digital Transformation Strategy (DTS) for the supply chain function. It was organized by the Supply Chain Canada Ontario Institute, with The George Weston Ltd. Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains as a sponsor.
“It is clear you don’t make large investments in digital technology for supply chain functions unless you have a rock solid answer to how it is going to add value to the end-customer,” said Professor David Johnston, Centre Director, George Weston Ltd Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains and Program Director of the Schulich Master of Supply Chain Management (MSCM).
Three insights were gained at the conference:
- A DTS enables resiliency in responding to customer demands mitigated the impact of the pandemic by more fully utilizing digital planning and control systems to gain real-time insights into shifts in supply and demand.
- An effective DTS provides the critical visibility needed to drive sustainable supply chain management change. One key to progress on sustainability goals, such as carbon reduction, is the support of systems to track and report the key metrics for which managers are held accountable.
- It is essential to involve suppliers as partners in DTS implementation. Suppliers are providers of digital technology solutions and services, but they are also the source of the data that purchasers need to plan and control their supply chains.
To learn more, please read the report by MSCM students Kishen Suresh Kumar (Editor), Vivek George, Nusrat Amin Nur and Binayak Thapa.