Supply chain technology firm JDA Software Group Inc. said in mid-February
it has rebranded as Blue Yonder, taking on the name of the German artificial
intelligence (AI) and machine learning firm that JDA acquired in 2018.
The rebranding is intended to better align the company’s name with itscloud transformation and product roadmap, Scottsdale, Arizona-based JDAsaid. According to the company, the change reflects the enormous impact ofAI and machine learning technologies on the supply chain, logistics, and retailmarkets.
JDA acquired Blue Yonder GmbH for an undisclosed amount in a bid toextend its existing software applications by using AI and advanced analyticsto improve users’ ability to predict consumer demand and deliver faster fulfillment, the company said at the time. The firm has used that new tech as thefoundation of its “Luminate” platform of products that generate automateddecisions and forecasts.
The name change comes on the 35th anniversary of JDA’s founding by
Canadian data scientist James Donald Armstrong, who used his own initials
as the basis of the company’s name.
In a blog post, Blue Yonder CEO Girish Rishi said that JDA changed itsname to keep up with shifting market realities. “The supply chain markethas changed dramatically in recent years,” Rishi said in the post. “Pervasiveaccess to network bandwidth coupled with mobile commerce has createdan expectation of instant gratification in the mind of the consumer. Hyper-personalization is expected to only increase. Cloud, machine learning, mobility, and IoT [Internet of Things] are making things possible today that wereunimaginable only a few short years ago.” ;
Supply chain disruption is moving beyond the physical to include cyber anddigital capability concerns, and that means businesses must broaden their viewof what it takes to prepare for potential risks, according to a recently releasedstudy from research firm IDC.
“Effectively, supply chains must be broadening their perspective on disruption to include not just traditional physical disruption but also cyber and digital capability disruption. Being truly resilient means adapting to and adoptingall three,” Simon Ellis, IDC’s program vice president for supply chain, said in astatement announcing the results of the new report, The Shifting Nature ofDisruption in the Supply Chain.
The report details how traditional elements of supply chain disruption,such as supplier insolvency, shipping delays, and quality problems, now existalongside concerns over supply chain systems security and the importance ofnew digital capabilities.
The researchers point out that:
; Technology allows the supply chain to better manage complexity andglobalization, but it also opens businesses to new vulnerabilities.
; Supply chains recognize the broader landscape of disruption but at thesame time feel inadequate to the task at hand.
; In the near term, companies view supply chain transformation in terms ofefficiency and effectiveness, but in the longer term, this view shifts to one ofavoiding digital capability disruption. ;
NEWSMAKERS
Dan Van Alstine, president andCEO of Ruan TransportationManagement Systems, waselected 2020 chairman of theboard for the Iowa Motor TruckAssociation. … Nexterus, a provider of supply chain modeling,optimization, and managementservices, has expanded its executive team withthe addition of
J. Todd Jenningsas chief information officer.
… Bill Ward Jr.has been namedpresident offreight service provider WardTransport and Logistics. …The International FoodserviceDistributors Association (IFDA)has announced the winnersof the 34th annual IFDA TruckDriving Championship, an eventthat celebrates operator safetyand skill with awards given inthree truck classes. This year’swinners were Glenn Anderson ofEby-Brown Co. (straight truck),Erik van’t Veer of Gordon FoodService (three axle), and GlennShaw of Ahold Delhaize USA (fiveaxle). … The American TruckingAssociations’ Technology &Maintenance Council has honored four professionals with itshighest honor—the Silver SparkPlug. This year’s honorees are:Stacy Earnhardt, director of assetmanagement and specializedoperations at Best Specialized;Fred Kelley, director of engineering at Prestolite, General Cable;Peter Savage, director of qualityand implementations at ClarkePower Services; and Paul Wion,Northeast market fleet managerat Charter Communications. …Drayage service provider CelticCartage has named Ryan Hylandas its new president.
JENNINGS
JDA Software rebrands as Blue Yonder
Security, digital capabilities are ripe for disruption
