Supply Chain Networks are evolving to become increasingly autonomous, letting intelligent software agents make simple decisions.
Internet of Things
RFID, sensors, actuators, and the intelligence controlling IoT – technology, implementation, implications, etc.
IoT: From Hype to Adoption – Part Two
We continue our look at how small and medium manufacturers and wholesale distributors are implementing IoT. Here, we examine how they are incorporating IoT into products and using it to create value-added services. We conclude with a discussion on the enablers including analytics, unified billing and revenue recognition, ERP system requirements, brownfield integration, and IoT security.
Looking Forward to 2019: Hot Topics for the New Year
There were so many interesting developments in 2018 and more to come this year. Here we take a look at what’s happening in autonomous supply chains, omni-channel delivery, AI/machine learning, blockchain for supply chain, checkoutless stores, and self-sovereign ID.
X-Factory: Part Two
PTC’s X-Factory shows a path to Industrie 4.0. Here we examine the assembly, testing and packaging, warehouse, production management, and solution integration for X-Factory.
IoT: From Hype to Adoption – Part One
Small and medium manufacturers and wholesale distributors are trying to determine where IoT fits into their business strategies, within the constraints of limited budgets, inhouse expertise, bandwidth, and technical resources. This requires prioritizing many potential IoT initiatives. In part one of this two-part series, we look at three areas that manufacturers and distributors are implementing IoT: 1) on the plant floor, 2) in supply chain and logistics, and 3) in service and repair.
X-Factory – Part One
X-Factory is a demonstration factory (making real products) created by PTC to help manufacturers visualize a path to the Smart Factory. Here we describe what makes a factory smart and get a look at the engineering, material handling, and chassis manufacturing stages.
Digital Displacement?
Digitalization is providing the collaboration, integration and visibility we in supply chain always dreamed of. But it won’t be easy getting there. There will be significant and disruptive changes in technology, business models and personnel in order to thrive–and survive–in a connected world.
The Rise and Fall of the Demand Planner
In our continuing series on Thinking Machines, we discuss the role of the Demand Planner as an essential protagonist within the corporation. The Demand Planner is a star in the supply chain, interacting with all levels within the enterprise. But now, could the Demand Planner be replaced by AI?
Amazon Go and the Emergence of Sentient Buildings: How It Works and What Its Impact Will Be
Amazon Go embodies very impressive advances in computer vision, sensor fusion, and deep learning combined to create what is probably the simplest and fastest bricks and mortar shopping experience available today. Here we discuss how they do it and its broader applicability and impact.
Measuring Produce Freshness: Part One – Ensuring Delivered Freshness
Freshness ‘blindness’ causes a lot of waste in produce supply chains. Here we explain the role of the Condition-based Expiration Date–a critical element to solving this problem. We look at what it takes to create a reliable and accurate algorithm that models deterioration of different varieties of produce exposed to different temperature histories.
Seven Principles for Stronger IoT Security
One of ChainLink’s key predictions for 2017 is that IoT security breaches will reach an all-time high this year. Here we discuss why these problems persist and seven principles for creating stronger IoT security.