A well-functioning supply chain is the backbone of the global economy. Over the past decade, these operations have increased in complexity, and as such, have often become disconnected and more fragmented than ever. The year 2020 brought disruption to the global supply chain, resulting in material shortages and exposing the need for enhanced efficiencies and increased insights across the supply chain. Strategies to manage costs and increase efficiencies are top of mind for supply chain professionals at SAP customer organizations as they work to rebuild and streamline their operations—in a time where their survival may depend on it.

Connected Supply Chains and Visibility Are Table Stakes

The challenges of 2020 revealed the need for SAP supply chain customers to improve the line of sight into their end-to-end operations, as well as to project future risks and needs. Lack of synchronization in workflow can cause disruption and lose sight of the goings-on one level below or above their own place in the supply chain. But it is possible to increase visibility and transparency across every stage of the supply chain.

Supply chains are evolving faster than ever. With this, SAP customer organizations need to integrate more automation and mobile technologies to make sure their professionals are equipped to keep up with the demand.

The Future of the Supply Chain Is Digital

SAP supply chain customers have an abundance of technology options, and thus, can find it difficult to respond and adopt new technologies quickly. They need to leverage the right combinations of tools to achieve a lean and digital supply chain, but the questions remain: “How do we accomplish this?” and “With which tools can this be achieved?”

While for many organizations, the “what” may be hazy, the “how” is crystal clear: Effective communication between IT and the business is essential to close the supply chain innovation gap. Adoption of automation technologies by SAP supply chain customers will increase significantly in the next few years. As is does, this technology will streamline processes, establish a through line for risk mitigation, data integrity, and enhanced efficiencies.

Connect Through ASUG for more Supply Chain Insights

We encourage you to learn how your peers are thinking about adapting for the future of supply chain by reading our 2021 report. Gain greater insights into the research, methodology, and actionable takeaways in our upcoming webcast, The State of the Supply Chain for SAP Customers in 2021 on Thursday, March 11. You will hear from Carolyn Szczurek, market research manager at ASUG, on the most significant trends and pressures facing SAP supply chain customers.

Download our complete 2021 research report, The State of the Supply Chain for SAP Customers. Don’t miss your opportunity to hear about these and more supply chain trends at our virtual experience, ASUG Best Practices: SAP for Supply Chain in May 2021.

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