b Using software apps to give DC
workers more control over their work
schedule. These apps allow workers to
see what hours they’ve been assigned,
trade shifts, and volunteer for extra
shifts or overtime.
b Investing in automated equipment
or assistive technology, such as mobile
carts and robotic arms, to make DC
work less physically demanding.
People issues are not just limited to
the hourly work force, Gibson says.
Supply chain executives are also struggling to retain and develop future leaders in an environment where young
professionals often change jobs after
only two years. Adding to the challenge,
they’re discovering that candidates with
the skills they’re looking for aren’t easy
to find. “They need people who understand supply chain management, are
comfortable in the analytics space, and
can lead the charge toward automation,
omnichannel excellence, and supply
chain digitization,” Gibson says.
DOUBLE SPEED
While labor may be tight, the pressure
to quickly make and execute on supply
chain decisions has only intensified.
In response, retailers are increasingly
turning to “disruptive” technologies
that will allow them to respond faster,
Gibson says.
Three areas that are attracting particular attention are robotics, supply
chain digitization, and artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics.
What follows is a look at some trends
in these areas:
Robotics: Retailers are showing
unprecedented interest in robotic tech-
nologies, but when it comes to the types
of technologies they’re investigating,
the choices are all over the map. On
one end are large grocery retailers, such
as Kroger, that are looking at automat-
ing their entire facility with equipment
like automated storage and retrieval
systems (AS/RS). On the other end are
smaller companies that are focusing
on automated pallet jacks or carts that
travel alongside the worker as he or
she picks orders. Companies are also
interested in robotic arms that can grab
and lift heavy cartons or individual
items.
Digitization: At the same time
they’re exploring robotics, retailers
are also pursuing initiatives aimed
at “digitizing” the supply chain,
according to Gibson. For many of
them, this means establishing data
pools or repositories that contain
detailed information on products,
inventory levels, costs, transactions,
and the like. This data pool will
provide “a single version of the
truth” not just for the supply chain
function but for other functions
as well. The hope is that this digi-
