
Supply chains are under an ever-increasing and changing amount of pressure, particularly as the world is recovering after COVID-19. However, this pressure can provide great opportunities for digital innovation. Supported by Digital Catapult’s Made Smarter Innovation | Digital Supply Chain Hub, the Future of Supply Chain Labs programme aims to showcase these opportunities to SMEs, challenging their traditional ways of thinking and stimulating change through using digital technologies.
Blog post
The following article is a summary of the discussion of challenges facing SMEs as they work towards digitising their supply chains that was held at the last Future of Supply Chain Labs in November 2022.
A diverse group of SMEs met in-person at Northern Design Centre and PROTO, Gateshead, in November, representing a range of sectors including heavy engineering, food & beverage, industrial equipment, and safety solutions.
Alongside presentations from Deloitte, Digital Catapult and EDGE Digital Manufacturing, attendees heard from Toby Bridges, Executive Chairman at NBT Group Ltd, about his experience of using digital in a traditional business. Toby was also on hand to take part in the group discussions and offer further insights and suggestions.
Although every business was different, rationale for attending the workshop was similar across the board. Skills and realising potential cropped up most often:
What were some of the supply chain challenges discussed on the day?
It was agreed that attendees could be better utilising data to help mitigate the effects that seasonal fluctuation can bring, particularly regarding supply and demand sensing. What’s more, it’s imperative that this data is accurate as well as being used effectively.
Participants were introduced to several solutions to consider. The first was the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict events, from adverse weather to worker strikes, that could negatively impact supply chains. An example of this being run at present is Singular Intelligence’s work with Sainsbury’s through the Made Smarter Innovation project.
Another possibility discussed was utilising Augmented Reality (AR) headsets to order stock whilst on-site for a different location.
It simply isn’t viable for some SMEs to be always investing in the latest tech. Despite the availability of various grants and funding opportunities, there are often financial limitations. Investing in tech can also have a detrimental effect on personnel; it may be difficult to train up employees, especially if they are resistant to change or find people to hire with the right skills.
Participants were therefore encouraged to think about a combination of in-house quick wins alongside high-spec technology. An example is the use of low-code technology, such as Microsoft’s Power Automate, to streamline processes and free up personnel and financial resources. One SME described how they have used these tools to develop a supplier portal.
Another suggestion was to utilise the existing pool of younger talent, particularly students, to undertake paid projects to work on technical solutions.
To be truly sustainable, it is no longer sufficient to measure Scope 1 and 2 (emissions directly and indirectly caused by a company). The supply chain must be measuring, and doing something about, Scope 3 emissions. These often account for the highest proportion of emissions but are notoriously hard to measure, due to the volume of suppliers and reliability of submitted data.
The solution raised to participants to consider was blockchain which, by improving traceability and security, could allow for more accurate data to be submitted.
Attendees found the opportunity to discuss these issues with their peers valuable. All SMEs have been invited to develop their digital supply chain roadmap and identify potential projects, taking advantage of fully funded 1-2-1 advice and consultancy available as part of the SME Lab.
Participants were also informed about the various other components of the programme including funding opportunities for SMEs which will launch in February 2023.
You can apply to be part of an upcoming Future of Supply Chain Labs by clicking the button below. SME Labs will be held across the UK including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.