Supply chains are getting more and more complex. Just-in-time deliveries have become the norm. Unexpeted events cause problems that affect multiple companies in the logistics chain. The bull whip effect causes unnecessary stock in the supply chain.
Information about demand fluctuations or incidents are rarely shared with all parties involved, which leads to inadequate preparations. This causes extra costs, like extra transports, overtime, temporary employment and the rent of materials or spaces. Delays and decreasing quality lead to dissatisfied customers. The forecast and planning of supply chains must therefore be chain-wide and as accurate as possible.
Planning today is usually limited to the company or the direct service provider and problems are being moved up to the next link in the chain.
All companies involved, as well as the consumer will benefit from chain-wide, realtime and proactive supply chain forecast and planning. This will only be possible through chain-wide cooperation and the use of modern technologies.
GOAL AND OPPORTUNITIES
In this project HOWest, Sirris and VIL will research how modern technologies, like blockchain, new data encryption methods and Artificial Intelligence can contribute to sharing and analyzing data for chain-wide, realtime and proactive supply chain forecast and planning.
