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 » Report: AI, machine learning are top priorities for logistics

Report: AI, machine learning are top priorities for logistics

Execs say they’ll invest in advanced technologies to address disruptions, e-commerce, and labor shortages in a post-pandemic economy, tech firm survey shows.

artificial-intelligence-3382507_640.jpg
May 25, 2021
Supply Chain Quarterly Staff
No Comments
Logistics executives will prioritize artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) investments to handle the challenges of a post-Covid-19 economy, according to research from supply chain software vendor Blue Yonder, released today.

The tech firm surveyed more than 150 C-suite and senior executives from manufacturing, retail, third-party logistics (3PL), transportation, and warehousing firms with responsibility for logistics and manufacturing operations in the United States for its The New Normal of Logistics report. Nearly 50% of respondents said they expect to implement or enhance their warehouse management systems (WMS) and cloud infrastructure in the next 12 months. Advanced technology solutions will be a prime route to meeting those goals, with respondents saying they will focus on implementing or enhancing: AI and/or ML capabilities (42%); sales and operations planning (S&OP) and/or sales and operations execution (S&OE) (42%); and transportation management systems (TMS) (41%).

“As many companies were ill-prepared for the mounting pressures of delivering enhanced consumer experiences caused by pandemic-induced e-commerce surges, logistics executives are turning their energy and resources to meeting new and rising expectations,” according to Fab Brasca, group vice president, Global Solutions at Blue Yonder. “To compete in this consumer-centric world, companies will have to adopt technologies that not only provide efficiency, but real-time visibility to meet skyrocketing customer expectations.”

Convenience and flexibility are also top priorities in the coming year. Nearly 40% of respondents said they plan to maintain and optimize convenient fulfillment options in the wake of the pandemic, including curbside pickup, buy-online pick-up in store (BOPIS), and home delivery.

“The pandemic pushed consumers toward more convenient fulfillment options for products and services. With disruptions impacting the supply chain over the past 12 months, consumers’ high expectations for service levels have not wavered, forcing retailers and manufacturers to maintain efficient, fast fulfillment,” the researchers wrote.

Sustainability and labor management also rank high on the industry’s priority list. Fifty-seven percent of respondents said they plan to invest in more sustainable upstream operations (materials sourcing, suppliers, and manufacturing) to maximize sustainability throughout the supply chain. Respondents also said they will implement a multi-pronged approach to managing labor shortages:
  • 40% said they are being more lenient on specific job/industry experience requirements to attract and retain talent in a tight labor market;
  • 54% said they plan to invest in workforce management technologies and 51% plan to invest in enhanced workforce training procedures in the next 12 months;
  • And 48% said they plan to offer more flexible scheduling options.

More information on the survey is available at blueyonder.com.
Technology
KEYWORDS Blue Yonder
    • Related Articles

      Study: Planning, resiliency are top supply chain priorities

      Machine learning: A new tool for better forecasting

      HERE Workspace: The low-code platform tool for map creation now comes with machine learning from AWS

    Recent Articles by Supply Chain Quarterly Staff

    Cargo theft and fraud rose 41% in the first 20 weeks of 2023 over last year, CargoNet warns

    Gartner: Top supply chains of ’23 balance risk control, new growth channels

    OSHA, industrial safety experts to headline National Forklift Safety Day 2023

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

    Report Abusive Comment

    Most Popular Articles

    • Report: Sagging freight stats show that trucking sector is returning to its historic mean

    • Survey: parcel delivery drivers are frustrated by using their own smartphones for work

    • Heavy transport across two continents

    • Survey: most Americans unaware that truckers face shortage of parking spaces

    • Supply chain executives not yet seeing expected results from technology investments

    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

    • Three layers of forklift safety: Promoting operating best practices

    • The Complete Guide to Automated Packaging

    • Five tips for parcel success in 2023

    • Guide to Pallet Rack Safety

    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