Supply Chain Journey | Digitalization in supplies: barrier or facilitator?

 

On July 22, Luiz Gastão Bolonhez, VP of Mercado Eletrônico, was one of the participants in the debate on the topic “Digital Transformation in Supply Chain Planning: Barrier or Enabler”, promoted by Inbrasc, at the event Supply Chain Journey.

The debate presented by Alex Leite, Educational Director of Live University, also included the participation of Fábio Gonçalves, Latin America Supply Director at Pepsi, Gustavo Taboas, CPO and VP of Supply at Albert Einstein and Mauro Friedrich, Logistics Director at Arezzo.

All participants agree that digital transformation is an enabler for companies. However, each of them faced, and still faces, different barriers to implementing digitalization.

Check out the main insights from this conversation!

 

The main barriers to supply chain digitalization

Digitize inefficient processes

It is a fact that digitalization has brought convenience to the supply chain area. However, have you ever imagined digitalizing an inefficient process? In this way, the company would only transfer the problem that exists in analog work to the digital environment, without optimizing the process, as it would remain rigid, running the risk of creating a digital situation that is worse than the previous one.

Before starting the digital transformation, it is necessary to review all supply chain processes so that they are compatible and efficient in a technological environment. Only in this way will the company be able to extract the maximum potential from digitalization.

 

Synergy between the company's areas

When we talk about digital transformation in the supply chain, it is obvious that we are addressing a movement that encompasses several areas of the company, mainly IT.

Having synergy between teams is essential for the project and technology implementation guide to be carried out in an organized manner, in addition to having less friction during progress.

The main barrier we can find in this topic, besides the lack of synergy, of course, is the bureaucracy faced by IT teams when integrating and absorbing technology into the scenario in which the company operates. It is common to have problems with systemic compatibility and several other issues related to the link between platforms.

For this reason, the IT team needs to be part of the digital transformation project, precisely to identify the strengths and weaknesses that the system can offer during its implementation.

 

Technology with friendly usability

The pressure of Scan made by the competition has created a sense of urgency in many companies, rushing a project that needs to be well planned and structured.

In their eagerness to begin the digital transformation of supply chain processes, many companies end up opting for the first technology they find, without even knowing whether it will be able to absorb all the processes in their areas, or whether it offers user-friendly usability so that their employees can perform a good job.

It is very likely that the first solution found will not be the ideal one for your business. The idea is that this research should be done with many criteria and the decision on which to choose should be made together with the main stakeholders of the company.

 

Organizational culture and structure

One of the biggest barriers to starting digital transformation in companies is resistance from employees, culture and organizational structure.

It is natural that any change generates discomfort. Especially when it comes to technologies that optimize processes in different areas. This can create a certain level of insecurity among professionals.

To overcome this situation, prepare your employees before adopting a technology. To minimize the impact of the change and ensure everyone's cooperation, raise awareness about what the company expects from digitalization. Explain that innovations are allies, not competitors.

Create discussion groups about the topic and allow employees to express their opinions. Digital transformation starts with people, not processes.

If employees buy into the cause, digitalization will certainly happen naturally.

 

These were the insights from the debate “Digital transformation in supply chain planning: barrier or facilitator”, from the Supply Chain Journey 2020 event. If you liked it, leave your comment!

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