MDE Assessment 2 Suggested Outline

MDE Assessment 2 Student Name Institutional Affiliation Date MDE Assessment 2 Introduction In today’s digital era, supply chain management (SCM) has been hailed as a major leverage for businesses that want to remain competitive in the market. In today’s world, businesses face stiff competition from both local and international enterprises. Global markets in particular have increased the need for more rapid delivery of products (Sudirjo, 2023). Customers have also become more technology-oriented, preferring businesses that utilize technological solutions in their supply chains. Modern-day supply chains have become more complex, necessitating the need to leverage digital solutions to enhance operational efficiency. This paper examines the changes that technological solutions have brought about in the supply chains. It demonstrates how technology has shaped traditional processes, allowing them to operate at a higher efficiency. The paper considers the transformation from sequential to concurrent supply chain systems. Various technological solutions that have been instrumental in transforming supply chains are outlined. The paper ends by examining the challenges associated with integrating technological solutions. Findings Analysis of the Statement Laudon & Laudon (2021) indicate that the Internet and technology have enabled a shift from sequential supply chains to concurrent supply chains. This shift indicates a major change in the way supply chains are managed. Traditionally, supply chains were sequential, where each phase had to be completed before the next stage commenced. However, technology revolutionized supply chains by facilitating concurrent operations. Here, different stages of the supply chain could be done simultaneously, which has improved operational efficiency. Internet and technology have facilitated information sharing in supply chain management, which was not possible with traditional supply chains (Mohsen, 2023). Through the Internet, people can get real-time information across the entire supply chain. This allows companies to track the levels of their inventory, and production schedules. With better visibility on the supply chain, businesses have better coordination which avoids delays that emerge because of a sequential model. Additionally, technology and the Internet have facilitated the application of collaboration tools. In a traditional supply chain, limitations in technology limited how different actors can collaborate. However, advancements have facilitated collaboration for people across the entire chain. For instance, different players in a supply chain can plan, forecast, and solve problems, allowing for more concurrent activities to be accomplished simultaneously. This ensures that tasks can be accomplished much more effectively in supply chains using technological solutions. Evaluation of Technology in Supply Chains Businesses are continuously leveraging technology to improve their supply chain management practices. One of the critical technologies in inventory management is the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices. The RFID reader senses a tag, decodes the data, and transmits the data to a host system. The technology assists in managing inventory since it offers real-time data regarding when items are as they move on the supply chain (Dolgui & Proth, 2008). With better management of inventory, RFID assists in minimizing instances of out-of-stock instances, since businesses have real-time information on what is available. Businesses can also track slow or non-moving inventory, enabling them to make appropriate decisions on the required production or acquisition levels. This reduces the cost of storing inventory since businesses can eliminate unnecessary inventory. Another technology is cloud-based SCM. Solutions offering cloud-based SCM allow for centralized storage of data. The systems allow for scalability when there is a demand for more data storage. The centralized storage of data allows different players in the supply chain to collaborate (Cao, Schniederjans & Schniederjans, 2017). Through the system, different people can undertake tasks at different levels of the supply chain. The collaboration of the supply chain enhances concurrency which further increases efficiency. For instance, Walmart utilized RFID technology to enhance the management of its inventory records, ensuring it has the necessary stock at all times. Moreover, artificial intelligence (AI) in supply chains is instrumental in making critical decisions using the available data. AI technology utilizes machine learning, computer vision, and natural language planning on different aspects of the supply chain to enhance performance. The technology can assist in analyzing the available data to enable forecasting and planning (Liu et al., 2024). It can identify patterns in the data like sales, market trends, and client behavior to suggest the most appropriate planning to improve efficiency. Analyzing the vast data can help in mitigating risks associated with the disruption of supply chains. The advantage of AI is its ability to increase supply chain visibility, allowing stakeholders to make more informed decisions. Additionally, robotics has become widely used to enhance the supply chain. Robotics technology has found an application in warehouses where they automate tasks like picking and sorting. Robotics are critical in the automation of the supply chain (Mohan Banur, Patle & Pawar, 2024). Unlike humans who cannot work for long, robotics can operate throughout the clock, which enhances the output of manufacturing and storing facilities. Amazon has been using robotic...