During their Smarter Commerce Conference, IBM predicted the following 3 supply chain trends would have a big impact on the growth of “Smarter Commerce”:
1. Inventory Optimization & Big Data – Successful businesses will work to continually improve inventory optimization through the gathering and use of processing of detailed data analytics around consumer habits, social media impact, and other relevant factors.
2. Migration To Mobile – Business applications and processes will be built for mobile devices as opposed to today’s focus on server and PC-based application development, which will give companies flexibility.
3. Cloud Competition – Established businesses will utilize the power of the cloud to move into new markets. Smaller businesses will utilize the cloud to compete against bigger business.
According to Richard Douglass, Director Industry Marketing, IBM is working hard to improve distribution integration & inventory optimization while removing process complexity.
The acquisition of Emptoris last December brought cloud and on-premise analytics software power to IBM. John Mesberg, VP of B2B Commerce, said IBM’s use of this “virtual supply chain management tool” is improving as shippers are becoming more comfortable with the new technology. Mesberg included that all of this is a result of the ongoing focus on curbing risk and saving customers money.