We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
Home » Let's throttle back a bit
Perspective

Let's throttle back a bit

July 24, 2017
Toby Gooley
No Comments

POW! WHOOSH! ZOOM! As colorful, kinetic images quickly flashed by without letup, and startlingly loud sound effects and electronic music filled the auditorium, I found myself looking for something I could grip to anchor myself against the onslaught of images, noise, and information that seemed to hurtle off of three huge video screens at the front of the room. It was thrilling, and just a little bit disturbing.

Most startling of all, perhaps, is that this was not a music video or an IMAX film about superheroes fighting a special-effects-filled battle between good and evil. It was a video about supply chain technology.

The video was part of a keynote address by John Phillips, Pepsico's senior vice president, customer supply chain, at Gartner Inc.'s recent Supply Chain Executive Conference a detailed look at technologies that could have a profound effect on supply chain practices, costs, and performance. He brought the audience of 3,000 supply chain professionals up to date on where those technologies stand now and on their potential implications for supply chains. Many were familiar, but Phillips demonstrated that what you read last year, or even last month, about them is most likely out of date. Here are just a few examples from his presentation:

Converting vision to data—Pepsico is piloting a Bluetooth-connected camera that would look inside a grocery store refrigerated case when the door is open and send data to the cloud that could be used to manage store inventory.

Amazon Go—At these prototype grocery stores created by Amazon, a combination of computer vision, sensors, "shelf aware" data collection, and machine learning allows consumers to select, purchase, and check out entirely on their own, with no lines or manual payment transactions. Phillips called it an example of "frictionless commerce that can change purchasing behavior."

In-store robotics—Phillips lauded Simbe Robotics' "Tally" shelf-auditing robot, which can count and verify more than 20,000 stock-keeping units with more than 96 percent accuracy—significantly better than human inventory takers. He cited other companies like Savioke, Bossa Nova, and Fellow that have developed robots for similar applications. "This technology is maturing at light speed," he said, adding that companies should be looking at how it could be applied in warehouses and distribution centers.

Self-piloting aircraft— An Israeli company called Urban Aeronautics is developing a remote-controlled, load-carrying aircraft that can retrieve personnel and deliver supplies in dangerous areas, and the government of Dubai is launching a self-driving helicopter "taxi" that can carry a single passenger or a small amount of cargo. "Why couldn't something like this be used as a 'hotshot' shuttle to replenish retail stores?" Phillips asked.

Among the other technologies Phillips discussed were the wildly popular Amazon Dash buttons, which allow consumers to wirelessly submit preprogrammed orders for products they use frequently by simply pressing a button; crowdsourced delivery, which is quickly moving into the commercial shipment space; warehouse-inventory and package-delivery drones, which Phillips said offer "a strong business case"; automated vehicles for highway and last-mile delivery; augmented reality, which Pepsico is testing for technical and equipment service applications; and artificial intelligence.

Phillips' presentation was fascinating, even breathtaking. Yet I got the sense that, like Pepsico's intense video, technology development and adoption may be moving a little too fast, and that we all need to stop and think through the potential consequences before we go too far.

It's exciting to think about how these and other science-fiction-style technologies could change day-to-day supply chain activities and, longer term, our interactions with customers. But as our recent article "Disruptive technologies: Should you give them the green light?" makes clear, "hot" new technologies should be carefully evaluated before adoption if supply chains are to achieve the benefits they promise. Otherwise disruptive technology really will disrupt your business—and not in a good way.

  • Related Articles

    In developing countries, a little creative thinking goes a long way

    A tale of transition

    What it really takes to start a revolution

Contributing Editor Toby Gooley is a freelance writer and editor specializing in supply chain, logistics, material handling, and international trade. She previously was Editor at CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly. and Senior Editor of SCQ's sister publication, DC VELOCITY. Prior to joining AGiLE Business Media in 2007, she spent 20 years at Logistics Management magazine as Managing Editor and Senior Editor covering international trade and transportation. Prior to that she was an export traffic manager for 10 years. She holds a B.A. in Asian Studies from Cornell University.

Recent Articles by Toby Gooley

National Forklift Safety Day 2022 connects safety with labor challenges

Navigating the new normal

On top of the (business) world

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Forecasts call for freight rate slumps in 2023

  • Projected U.S. recession in early 2023 will soften freight market

  • Inflation drops again as interest rate hikes hit home, NRF says

  • How to avoid the next crisis: A new approach to supply chain agility

  • Five levers to build a resilient supply chain

Featured Video

20221107korber large vs

Enhancing Customer Experience with Your Supply Chain Strategy

Viewer Contributed
With the rise of e-commerce, many businesses have had to transform their warehouses to handle online orders in addition to regularly scheduled inventory shipments. This means warehouses need more information than ever before to ensure they can meet customers' needs. As a result, companies need to select warehouse...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Guide to Pallet Rack Safety

  • 3PLs: Complete Orders Faster with Flexible Automation

  • A shipper's guide to navigating post-pandemic holiday freight

  • THE NEW WAY TO WAREHOUSE: 4 Innovations in Automation & Robotics to Boost Warehouse Productivity

View More

Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

Get Your Subscription
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • E-NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing