on information scattered across multiple spreadsheets and stored in employees’ minds, says Keith Hartley, chief executive of cer with LevaData, Inc., which uses AI and analytics to “shine a ashlight” on companies’ procurement operations and alert management to discrepancies, such as various divisions of a company paying different prices for the same material. Carrier Corporation is turning to electronic request for quotation (eRFQ) solutions to more quickly assemble data that often resides in different areas, Bandekar says. “Digitizing eliminates the work (of assembling data) to some extent and allows Carrier to focus on sourcing,” he says.
Decoding Cybersecurity Cybersecurity As supply chains become increasingly digital, cybersecurity becomes a bigger concern. More technology, digital systems, and IoT devices also mean more points of entry for cyber-criminals, says Brianna Leddy, director of analysis with cyber defense firm, Darktrace. What’s more, supply chain attacks likely will intensify because “They’re proven to work,” says Gabi Reish, chief product ocer with Cybersixgill, a provider of threat intelligence solutions. Criminals are able to gain exposure to di erent organizations. Proactively managing supply chain risk is now paramount. “Armed with AI, organizations are able to understand the ‘normal’ behavior of these devices in order to proactively prevent, detect and respond to attacks,” Leddy says. Organizations also need to assess and identify potential weak spots and threats early on, Reish says. This means asking, among other questions: • Where are the threats? • What are our weakest links? • Which risks are of greatest concern? “Knowledge is power,” he adds. “You can take action based on knowledge.”
T E C H N O L O G Y
bigger companies,” says Patrick Wiegand, director of distribution and logistics. The solution’s reporting capabilities also alert Wiegand and his colleagues when a shipment is delayed. “If there’s a problem, it will blink red,” Wiegand says. Future versions of the software will incorporate machine learning and arti cial intelligence. The more
Real-time data from trucks and TMS systems can be combined using AI and machine learning to create a ‘digital twin’ of the transportation network. A digital twin represents the current network state, showing where the trucks are, which loads are dispatched, and what needs to be assigned, among other information. “This is the starting point of a dispatch plan that will consider all possible trip possible trip and then optimize that maximize revenue miles and minimize Guntur says. options for trucks, and then optimize for the best options that maximize revenue and revenue miles and minimize inef ciencies,” Guntur says. Technology can also help smaller companies access the transportation also help smaller the transportation large enterprises enjoy. is an ISO-certi ed, capabilities many large enterprises enjoy. Hi-Tech Fasteners is an ISO-certi ed,
The rise in
e-commerce deliveries has made ef cient, accurate transportation
operations even more
companies use it, the more advanced it will become. companies advanced it will it will become.
critical. Getting there, however, has become more complicated. Fewer drivers are interested in 1,000- plus mile trips, so planners must develop multiple shorter trips, says Balaji Guntur, COO of Hoptek, which offers eet technology. Advancing technology can help address these challenges. Arti cial intelligence can automate dispatching
distributor of industrial supplies. By leveraging a transportation management system (TMS) from BrillDog, a provider of supply chain solutions for smaller companies, Hi-Tech industrial supplies. transportation system (TMS) from provider of supply of supply smaller Hi-Tech
automated its rate quote system and claims ling processes. “As a mid- sized company, this allows us to play in the world of mid- quote ling
and assign trucks to reduce “deadhead” or empty miles. “If you can get a bird’s eye view, you can start to squeeze out inef ciencies,” Guntur says.
98 Inbound Logistics • January 2022
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