While supply chains often grab headlines when there is a crisis, it's essential to recognize the significant achievements happening behind the scenes. Digital transformation is a prime example, showcasing how today’s supply chain organizations are embracing technology to enhance their operations. With the goals of improving quality, elevating customer service, achieving real-time data access, and bolstering cyber security, these organizations are rapidly advancing their digital initiatives.
Drawn from APQC’s survey of 310 supply chain professionals on the latest digital transformation trends in supply chain, here are five important things to know about digital transformation in supply chain.
- Implementation and Adoption are Now Widespread : More than a quarter (27%) of our respondents have now completed their digital transformations and are sustaining their gains through continuous improvement.
- Organizations are Maturing Toward Cross-Functional Leadership: As organizations progress toward more mature phases of adoption, they are also maturing their approach to leadership for supply chain digital transformation.
- Organizations are Focused on Data Management: Data management— which includes the management of customer, supplier, and product or item data—is now the most popular component of digital transformation.
- Cost and Integration are Top Barriers: Digital transformation demands substantial time, personnel, and financial investments. As organizations roll out new supply chain tools that need to interact with each other and existing systems, integration challenges have shifted from the sixth to the second-most common barrier to successful digital transformation.
- Resistance to Change Has Decreased: Employee resistance to digital transformation is far less of a barrier in 2024 than in 2022. While about a quarter of respondents previously identified employee resistance as one of the most common barriers, it is now one of the least common (15 percent).
Explore each one item on this list more in-depth and gain insight into what it means for you in APQC’s 5 Things You Need to Know about Supply Chain Digital Transformation.
Additionally, you can access this collection Digital Transformation in Supply Chain: 2024 Quick Poll to find reports on supply chain data transformation for different industries, regions, and organization sizes.