"Will I be able to find enough formula to ensure my child doesn't go hungry?"
This was a persistent worry for parents across the US in the Spring of 2022 when a significant supply chain crisis created a massive shortage of essential products. Some panic-stricken parents even traveled across state lines after scouring multiple stores and coming up empty in their states.
In contrast, others desperately searched online for supplies to feed their babies. COVID-19-related supply chain disruptions also affected other household basics like toilet paper, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, lumber, and even pool chlorine.
Though the jury is still out on how the human factor contributed to the pandemic and the ensuing disruptions, stakeholders admit there were vulnerabilities in global supply networks that needed addressing.
As Willy C. Shih, economist and the Robert and Jane Cizik Professor of Management Practice in Business Administration at Harvard Business School, predicted in a Harvard Business Review article in 2020, "The challenge for companies will be to make their supply chains more resilient without weakening their competitiveness."
The question is how?
The Rise of Digital Supply Chain Technologies
In response, companies around the world are now turning to advanced technologies to address the dual challenge of enhancing resilience while maintaining competitiveness.
According to Gartner, the digital supply chain (supply chain execution software) industry will grow from $29 billion in 2023 to $62 billion in 2028 as more businesses look to manage supplier relationships and improve customer satisfaction.
Manhattan Associates is a leading Supply Chain Execution Software company with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. They offer diverse solutions, including Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Transportation Management Systems (TMS), labor management, yard management, and carrier management.
With clients spanning a wide range of industries and sectors, Manhattan Associates is renowned for tailored, cutting-edge solutions that reimagine the entire supply chain ecosystem.
They were recently named the Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader for TMS & WMS for the 16th time, further cementing their reputation as a market leader.
"We are thrilled to be named a Magic Quadrant Leader in Warehouse Management Systems by Gartner once again," said Adam Kline, senior director of Product Management for Manhattan Associates. "We believe this reflects our industry-leading continuous innovation and commitment to unifying every aspect of the supply chain."
Unified Supply Chain Technology for Enhanced Cost Savings & Efficiency
Over the past three decades, Manhattan Associates has perfected cloud-native supply chain systems. These sophisticated software solutions go beyond simple inventory tracking, offering a comprehensive approach to managing and optimizing all supply chain operations.
Take Giant Eagle, an American supermarket chain with stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, and Maryland, for instance. Before partnering with Manhattan Associates, they had invested in three disconnected systems, leading to transportation strategy disarray. Varying delivery times for more than 460 stores resulted in decentralized routing, ongoing delivery pressures, inefficiency, and wasted miles.
Manhattan's TMS solved these inefficiencies. According to company records, optimizing inbound and outbound orders not only allowed the company to maximize cube and minimize empty miles but also enabled them to raise service levels with a single application. Giant Eagle optimized their processes and reduced operational costs.
"Partnering with Manhattan gave us the capability to move to a much more efficient, sustainable, holistic transportation model, which allowed us to gain greater efficiencies across our entire supply chain," remarked Ann-Marie Daughterty, VP of logistics at Giant Eagle.
Carhartt, a global premium workwear brand, experienced similar results when they adopted Manhattan's TMS and WMS. Before then, Carhartt's routing visibility was limited, execution functionality was compromised, and transport costs were higher than necessary.
"Manhattan's expertise in SaaS-driven, cloud-based TMS solutions has been key to the project's success," remarked John Hill, CIO of Carhartt, Inc. "We don't worry about hosting the software or getting real-time product and system updates. Manhattan manages that for us. We now have the most current tools available to manage our transport functions effectively."
Manhattan Associates' Commitment to Innovation
Manhattan invests a significant amount each year into research and development to ensure customers always get the latest features. This is particularly important in the age of generative AI and Machine-Learning (ML) solutions, which have massive potential to disrupt supply chain systems.
"Early adopters of AI-enabled supply chain management have reduced logistics costs by 15 per cent, improved inventory levels by 35 per cent, and enhanced service levels by 65 per cent," according to a recent McKinsey survey. These technologies have powered autonomous supply chain planning, improving performance in a range of processes across the supply chain.
AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data from multiple sources—including historical sales, economic indicators, weather patterns, and social media trends—to accurately predict demand. This allows companies to optimize inventory levels, reducing stockouts and overstock situations.
"Inventory levels can decrease by 10 to 20 percent, often with a corresponding drop in inventory costs—while still meeting required service levels," concluded the McKinsey researchers.
ML algorithms can analyze real-time traffic data, weather conditions, and delivery time windows to optimize delivery routes continuously. This improves efficiency and enhances customer satisfaction through more accurate delivery estimates.
These technologies are equally crucial in mapping the supply chain. In a 2021 report, only 2 percent of companies claimed visibility beyond their second-tier suppliers (those who supply materials and parts to their direct suppliers). This lack of visibility leaves companies susceptible to disruptions that eventually trickle down to the consumer.
AI-fortified supply chains are more resilient and cushion the impact on consumers.
The Manhattan Associates Difference in an Unpredictable Landscape
"We are increasingly becoming pilots in an AI cockpit—in supply chain management and virtually all fields. We need to get used to this. This change is touching all areas of supply chain management," remarked Norma Steller, Chief Product Officer, German Bionic.
Manhattan Associates' mission in this changing landscape is clear: they want to help more companies fully unify their supply chain to have complete visibility into their products and orders end-to-end. Their ultimate goal is empowering their clients with insights to ensure they're ready for any disruptions caused by technology or natural disasters.
