ITMATTERS [ INSIGHT ]
by Kris Timmermans (left) Global Supply Chain and Operations Lead, Accenture and Max Blanchet Global Supply Chain & Operations Strategy Lead, Accenture Kris.Timmermans@accenture.com | Max.Blanchet@accenture.com | 877-889-9009
Autonomous Supply Chains: Why Now? For logistics professionals tasked with maintaining smooth operations amidst deepening complexity, the promise of autonomous supply chains offers a powerful solution to build resilience, agility, and strategic advantage. Human roles are changing. Autonomy does not eliminate the need for people. In fact, the human workforce remains
a key element in autonomous supply chains. Instead of managing routine tasks, human workers are positioned to oversee systems, guide strategic decisions, and ensure governance. When done right, autonomous systems capture and preserve institutional knowledge, a crucial advantage as experienced workers retire and workforce turnover grows. Transparency and simplicity are needed for data to flow. Two imperatives are central to transforming supply chains: breaking down functional silos and simplifying processes. Autonomous decision-making depends on seamless data ow across all functions. Without transparency, even advanced AI will falter. Likewise, complex and inconsistent processes slow down learning cycles and hinder scalability. Companies investing in a secure digital core, uni ed platforms, standardized governance, and interoperable systems are making the most progress. These data foundations allow them to move faster, scale what works, and adapt to change with agility. Autonomous supply chains are not just about surviving the next disruption. They’re also about rethinking control, agility, and value creation. Will you adapt in time? n
such as tariff hikes or port closures, allowing quick strategic pivots. Dynamic sourcing and routing: Automatically reroute shipments or switch suppliers based on updated cost and risk pro les, minimizing disruption and excess expenses. Proactive compliance management: Ensure tariff classi cations and customs documentation are up to date, reducing clearance delays and penalties. WHY NOW? AI and digital infrastructure advances make it possible to embed decision- making capabilities directly into systems. Our research shows that leaders investing in AI-enabling technologies—from digital twins to intelligent agents— already see improved speed, visibility, and responsiveness. The benefits are tangible. Surveyed companies expect autonomous systems to reduce order lead times by 27%, increase productivity by 25%, and cut recovery times from disruptions by 60%. They also anticipate up to a 16% drop in carbon emissions, showing autonomy’s potential to accelerate sustainability goals.
Autonomy is emerging as the next frontier of supply chain value, nds Accenture’s recent global survey of 1,000 C-suite executives across 10 industries. Nearly two-thirds of companies surveyed plan to signi cantly advance their supply chain autonomy in the next decade. Notably, around 40% aspire to reach higher autonomy levels where systems can make most operational decisions independently. Autonomous supply chains harness advanced technologies including arti cial intelligence (AI), machine learning, IoT, robotics, and advanced analytics to enable real-time visibility, decision- making, and operational exibility. This empowers supply chains with the needed resilience capabilities to self-monitor, self- adjust, and self-optimize in response to external shocks such as tariffs or sudden regulatory changes. Some examples of what these capabilities can do: Real-time multi-tier visibility: Detect tariff-induced cost changes or supplier risks instantly across the supply network. Scenario-driven decision-making: Use AI to model multiple what-if scenarios,
26 Inbound Logistics • September 2025
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