It’s never good news when the words “Supply Chain” are included in a headline. Something along the line has gone wrong, and it likely affects several million people. Earlier this year the Suez canal debacle grabbed headlines when a container ship beached itself. The blockage exasperated a supply chain that was already under stress from Covid-19 and cost roughly $6.7 million per minute.
Article by Indiana Lee
In the UK, Atul Kariya, a partner at MHA, recently commented that the labour shortages wreaking havoc on UK supply chains were “not caused by Brexit but has been worsened by restrictions on movement as a result of Brexit immigration rule changes, in addition to tax measures”.
The Suez Canal blockage and Mr. Kariya’s comments reflect an underlying theme: supply chain issues rarely exist in isolation. Instead, supply chain problems come in clusters. In the words of Jennifer Canstenon, writing for Forbes, “it’s a messy paradigm”.
Trying to establish a route through the mess of supply chain management is tricky at the best of times. However, recent developments in information systems show promising signs for the future. Widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is going to take time, but business leaders are already recognizing the potential risk-reducing benefits of AI-led supply chains. Construction is one industry that may benefit greatly from the wider adoption of AI in supply chain management, as it faces unique supply chain issues in our post-pandemic reality.
Supply Chain Issue in Building and Construction
Building and construction companies currently face a number of supply chain complications. This is a serious issue as poor supply chain management will lead to delays, fines, and inefficient business practices.
In the UK, Darren Dodd, of the Financial Times, has warned that warehouses across the UK may run out of space within the year. Further reports have found that 8 out of 10 builders are currently facing a materials shortage.
The stress placed on supply chains globally will invariably lead to higher costs, meaning that strategic leveraging of emerging information systems like AI will be pivotal for those looking to remain on track in construction and building.
Benefits of Information Systems
Complex information systems have been informing supply chain management decisions for a number of years. However, companies are now looking to leverage technological developments to boost supply chain resiliency and improve their bottom lines. By adopting new information systems like predictive analysis, companies can make more accurate forecasts of potential supply chain issues and can adapt their practices in response to increasing demands or potential areas of slack.
Information systems can also directly benefit the highly competitive building and construction industries. Knut Alicke, writing for McKinsey, found that “early adopters to [AI] improve logistics costs by 15 percent, inventory levels by 35 percent, and service levels by 65 percent, compared with slower-moving competitors”. For those in building and construction--who are often pitched directly against competitors--a reduction of logistical cost and an increase in inventory management efficiency of this level is impossible to ignore (particularly as the idea of self-building continues to grow in the UK and younger generations express significant interest in building their own homes).
Hires You Need to Make
In order to utilize information systems, companies need to hire information system specialists. Information system specialists are well-educated employees who combine various skills and approaches. They are adept computer system managers and are capable of maintaining and understanding key analytics, but they also have the ability to look beyond the program and consider the business as a whole.
An adept information system specialist should also be capable of managing teams, as supply chain management typically utilizes an array of employees who assert their value and specialisms along the supply chain.
Risks to Consider
The use of information systems in supply chain management is not a clearly defined science. It is impossible to predict the problems of tomorrow, and information systems must be redesigned to consider sustainability. In addition, AI relies on massive amounts of data in order to make accurate predictions.
Currently, there may not be enough data for AI to make accurate forecasts, and businesses that are transitioning to AI-led supply chain management may be feeling some growing pains. That said, the utilization of AI is all about patience. AI systems grow as data grows--as more data is made available, AI will have a greater tolerance and will contribute massively to the overall reduction of risk in supply chain management.
The Future of Building Supply Chains
Researchers and business leaders are always looking to align developments in information systems with current business practices. Advancements in artificial intelligence and the technology we use for shipping and handling can increase the overall efficiency of a supply chain, which ultimately improves companies’ bottom lines.
While there will be significant growing pains with all new technologies, the future of building and construction points towards technological development and the adoption of AI in decision making.
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)
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