Edited by Eamonn Ryan
The following presentation was delivered at the 2023 GCCA Cold Chain Conference in Cape Town, by Jan-Cornell van Ekris, commercial director of Boltrics, on the topic ‘Future-proof towards your destination’. This is Part 2 of a two-part series.
More Gartner insights
By leveraging pre-built connectors and adapters between widely used supply chain applications, organisations can accelerate integration processes and enhance visibility across the entire supply chain.
Moreover, Van Ekris highlights the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in supply chain management. Citing research from Gartner, he predicts that organisations leveraging AI technologies will demonstrate a 25% ROI by 2026. AI-driven insights enable organisations to predict and mitigate disruptions, enhance scalability, and optimise resource allocation. He illustrates the practical application of AI in logistics through a recent project in the Netherlands, where AI technologies facilitated seamless co-ordination between airlines and logistics service providers, ensuring timely receipt of critical cargo.
Addressing the challenge of unstructured data, van Ekris unveils a groundbreaking solution leveraging Microsoft Azure’s cognitive AI services. “By harnessing OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology and industry-specific knowledge, organisations can seamlessly automate data extraction from unstructured sources such as PDFs. This innovation not only enhances operational efficiency but also eliminates manual data entry, empowering warehouse operators with AI-driven insights for real-time decision-making.”
Van Ekris illustrates the tangible impact of AI in logistics through a concrete example of streamlining inbound order processing. “By automating data extraction and integration with warehouse management systems (WMS), organisations can achieve unprecedented scalability and predictability, while reducing reliance on manual labour.”
He adds: “Cybersecurity represents an evolving threat landscape facing logistics organisations. Gartner research highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity risk management as a key determinant in business engagements. With customer expectations for robust cybersecurity measures on the rise, organisations must prioritise cyber resilience to mitigate risks and safeguard critical operations.”
He also emphasises the role of strategic partnerships, such as those with Microsoft, in addressing cybersecurity challenges. By leveraging Microsoft’s comprehensive suite of cybersecurity tools and certifications, organisations can assure customers of the robustness of their security protocols, thereby enhancing trust and credibility.
Van Ekris reiterates the imperative of continuous optimisation, scalability and adaptability in navigating the complexities of the modern supply chain landscapes. “By embracing AI-driven innovations and prioritising cyber resilience, your organisations can future-proof their operations and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing world.”
With his closing remarks, Van Ekris leaves the audience inspired to embark on their digital transformation journey, armed with the knowledge and insights needed to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the realm of logistics digitisation.