CARGOCONNECT-JANUARY2025 - Flipbook - Page 75
PHARMA SUPPLY CHAIN : FEATURE SPECIAL
GAURAV BHATIA
Head of Supply Chain, Reliance Retail
collaboration which is crucial for building a responsive
supply chain network, alongside real-time monitoring
of product temperature, location, and humidity to
ensure quality delivery.
Here, Pawar underscores the signi昀椀cant challenges
posed by infrastructure limitations, regulatory requirements, and other disruptive events. “By leveraging AI
and big data analytics, companies enhance visibility and
decision-making, building robust, adaptable frameworks
to meet industry demands e昀케ciently,” he puts across.
Predictive analytics empower us to
assess demand with a higher level
of accuracy, allowing for smoother
operations and better decision-making
across various channels. Integrating
data from multiple points along the
chain ensures that businesses not only streamline their processes but
also gain foresight into potential disruptions. The rise of cloud-based
platforms, for instance, has allowed businesses to streamline their
operations, integrating all stakeholders from suppliers to customers in
a seamless flow of information. Using cloud systems enables a higher
level of collaboration and access to real-time data, which is crucial
for making informed decisions at scale.
BHUVAN ASTHANA
Vice President of Strategy,
JWL Cold Store
Embracing the Full Potential of
Digital Transformation
The supply chain sector is increasingly looking towards
technology as a means to navigate disruptions and
enhance operational efficiency. Experts agree that
leveraging advanced technologies such as AI, predictive
analytics, and automation is essential for future-proo昀椀ng
the industry.
Mehta underscores the importance of utilising
technology to optimise operations, stating that AI and
real-time analytics are vital in addressing unexpected
delays and 昀氀uctuations in supply chains. However, he
points out that technology alone isn’t enough. “While
tech can give visibility, it’s critical to also integrate
human expertise to respond to the unpredictable
elements of the market,” he explains. Ultimately, this
balance between human and technological inputs is
key to improving supply chain operations.
Echoing this sentiment, Bhatia emphasises the
necessity of adopting intelligent demand forecasting
models. “Predictive analytics empower us to assess
demand with a higher level of accuracy, allowing for
smoother operations and better decision-making across
various channels,” he says. Bhatia goes on to explain
that integrating data from multiple points along the
chain ensures that businesses not only streamline their
processes but also gain foresight into potential disruptions.
While digital technologies are undoubtedly integral
to modern supply chains, their real potential lies in
fully embedded, holistic transformation. Mehta notes
that organisations should strive to move from merely
Our resilience measures are both
proactive and dynamic, underpinned
by advanced digital capabilities that
enable risk assessments, real-time
supply chain monitoring, and predictive
analytics. These innovative tools empower us to identify potential
disruptions early, allowing us to respond quickly and adjust operations
seamlessly. With the integration of predictive analytics, we can forecast
possible disruptions and take preemptive actions. By leveraging digital
platforms for end-to-end visibility, we not only enhance agility but
also improve response times. This continuous monitoring ensures we
can optimise decision-making, improve operational efficiency, and
maintain reliable performance.
being digitally enabled to becoming fully digitally
driven, integrating technologies not just for tactical
needs but as a strategic enabler of business goals. He
explains, “When done correctly, digitalisation isn’t just
about solving problems—it’s about anticipating them
and seizing growth opportunities.”
Supporting this, Bhatia underscores how the rise
of cloud-based platforms has allowed businesses to
streamline their operations, integrating all stakeholders
from suppliers to customers in a seamless flow of
information. “Using cloud systems enables a higher
level of collaboration and access to real-time data,
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