Automating
supply chains adds complexity and cost rather than delivering
expected speed and efficiencies, according to a report by
Quocirca.
Some 80% of the
400 French, German, UK and US mid-to-large companies interviewed by
the analyst firm had internet-based supply chains.
Despite this heavy
automation, most were driven to rely on e-mail, phones and paper
documents, as they struggled to keep up with complicated standards
and technical changes at their business partners.
This problem was
amplified because 40% of respondents had more than 1,000 active
suppliers, and a similar proportion had to cope with more than
5,000 active business customers. Organisations were battling to
handle multiple versions of standards throughout the supply
chain.
Some 50% felt
their systems were too costly to maintain and run, found the
GTX-sponsored research.