IDC Manufacturing Insights hosted a web conference on Wednesday, “IDC Manufacturing Insights 2014 Predictions: Supply Chain Strategies” highlighting the top 10 predictions for the year ahead. Featuring analysts Simon Ellis and Heather Ashton, the session provided organizations with insight and perspective on long-term industry trends along with new themes that may be on the horizon.
The Predictions web conference series is designed to help company leaders capitalize on emerging market opportunities and plan for future growth.
An audio replay of web conference became available within 12 hours the Top 10 Predictions are:
Prediction #1: Operational resiliency will be the focus of supply chain strategies in 2014 and beyond
Prediction #2: Supply chain technology investment will involve modernizing existing systems while also trying new approaches
Prediction #3: Volatile demand and extending supply will put pressure on supply networks to be closer to demand
Prediction #4: The need to be faster will require manufacturers to explore more deeply integrated supply chain planning and fulfillment functions
Prediction #5: No longer exclusive to consumer industries, manufacturers will look for ways to further develop a “demand orientation” through demand sensing and capture
Prediction #6: Manufacturers will prioritize risk and resilience capabilities, particularly in supply chain monitoring and visibility
Prediction #7: Global trade management will mature as a critical capability in managing growth in emerging markets
Prediction #8: Manufacturers will renew interest in the data management and governance organization in 2014
Prediction #9: In the context of procurement and interest in driving more productive collaboration, B2B commerce networks will become anthropological “dig sites”
Prediction #10: Manufacturers will seek new ways to extract data-driven value, leveraging mobile and cloud for access anywhere, anytime
“In the context of the 3D value chain, operational resiliency is clearly dependent upon being demand aware and data driven, but it is also about digital execution: leveraging data to broaden and extend ‘supply chain intelligence’; so IDC Manufacturing Insights expects that for 2014, operational resilience will come to the forefront and underpin manufacturers supply chain strategy moving forward,” said Simon Ellis, practice director, Global Supply Chain Strategies for IDC Manufacturing Insights.
IDC Manufacturing Insights assists manufacturing businesses and IT leaders, as well as the suppliers who serve them in making more effective technology decisions by providing accurate, timely, and insightful fact-based research and consulting services.