摘要: |
Disruptions to the global supply chain are nothing new but the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact of subsequent lockdowns on global manufacturing, purchasing and transportation forced a sea change in views about supply chain resilience. In addition, the upsurge in climate-related disasters and volatile geo-political situations is adding to trading-environment difficulties which need speedy responses and flexibility. Business leaders can no longer hunker down and hope for the best. Disruption is the new norm and the costs of multiple disruptive episodes, plus the potential damage to a company's reputation, are too high to ignore. Increasingly, company survival and future competitiveness will rely on the optimal management of data which is set to increase exponentially in the coming years. Global supply chain consultancy State of Flux warns that companies are failing to exploit the information already available to them. It found that one in five companies still relies on Excel spreadsheets to manage supplier data and 13% admit to having no system at all in this area. S&P s Supply Chain Survey Report 2022 identifies a lack of high-functioning platforms and technology, and limited visibility across the supply chain as key problems. Cost optimisation and a deficit of expertise are also significant issues. |