Innovation Nation – November 2013

Complexity is endemic in Supply Chain Management and the level of volatility is now rising exponentially. Customers have more channels to choose from and expect perfect delivery, faster – often in much lower quantities than before – and are more willing to drop existing suppliers and search for others better able to meet their expectations. It is difficult enough to manage today and as the number of products and product variations continues to rise and the range of Stock-Keeping Units (SKUs) and channels to market expand, the task can only become more difficult. Existing supply chains are already struggling to cope with these developments. As change continues, or even accelerates, a breaking point for many existing systems and processes is now in sight.