Latest news with #AntonioBoccalandro


Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
AI Helps Future-Proof Supply Chains In Australia And New Zealand, New Report Shows
Press Release – Blue Yonder Businesses are no longer relying on outdated systems or reacting to problems after they happen, said Antonio Boccalandro, president for APAC at Blue Yonder. They are now investing in technologies that allow them to predict issues, respond quickly, … A growing number of businesses in Australia and New Zealand are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to make their supply chains smarter, faster, and more resilient, according to a new report by research firm IDC, commissioned by supply chain technology leader Blue Yonder. The report, AI-Driven Orchestration for the Modern Supply Chain, surveyed hundreds of supply chain leaders across the Asia-Pacific region. It found that organisations in Australia and New Zealand are rapidly embracing AI and automation to deal with challenges such as supply disruptions, rising customer expectations, and global market complexity. 'Businesses are no longer relying on outdated systems or reacting to problems after they happen,' said Antonio Boccalandro, president for APAC at Blue Yonder. 'They are now investing in technologies that allow them to predict issues, respond quickly, and stay competitive.' Smarter Strategies for a Tougher Environment Key areas of focus for businesses in the region include: Expanding and diversifying suppliers to reduce risks (a strategy known as multi-shoring) Strengthening cybersecurity to protect digital operations Speeding up product development and delivery Improving customer responsiveness and service The report also highlights growing interest in using generative AI — the same type of AI behind tools like ChatGPT — to improve warehouse operations, employee productivity, and supply chain design. One example cited in the report is Silk Logistics, an Australian company that has successfully used automation to upgrade its warehouse systems and improve customer service. Tech-Driven Resilience Across the Region The IDC report found that nearly all surveyed businesses in Asia-Pacific identified visibility and agility as top priorities — in other words, knowing what's happening in their supply chain and being able to act quickly. In countries across Southeast Asia, organisations are also adopting technologies like cloud computing and robotics to reduce environmental impact and improve coordination. Stephanie Krishnan, associate vice president at IDC Asia/Pacific, said that successful businesses are moving away from siloed systems and toward connected platforms that allow them to make better decisions in real time. 'Unifying data and building collaborative digital networks will be the key to staying competitive in the years ahead,' Krishnan said. Looking Ahead The report arrives at a time when businesses globally are grappling with supply chain volatility, economic uncertainty, and calls for greater sustainability. It suggests that those willing to invest in intelligent, integrated technologies will be better equipped to weather future disruptions. The full report findings were presented during a webinar featuring IDC and Blue Yonder, where experts discussed the future of supply chains in the Asia-Pacific region.


Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
AI Helps Future-Proof Supply Chains In Australia And New Zealand, New Report Shows
A growing number of businesses in Australia and New Zealand are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to make their supply chains smarter, faster, and more resilient, according to a new report by research firm IDC, commissioned by supply chain technology leader Blue Yonder. The report, AI-Driven Orchestration for the Modern Supply Chain, surveyed hundreds of supply chain leaders across the Asia-Pacific region. It found that organisations in Australia and New Zealand are rapidly embracing AI and automation to deal with challenges such as supply disruptions, rising customer expectations, and global market complexity. 'Businesses are no longer relying on outdated systems or reacting to problems after they happen,' said Antonio Boccalandro, president for APAC at Blue Yonder. 'They are now investing in technologies that allow them to predict issues, respond quickly, and stay competitive.' Key areas of focus for businesses in the region include: Expanding and diversifying suppliers to reduce risks (a strategy known as multi-shoring) Strengthening cybersecurity to protect digital operations Speeding up product development and delivery Improving customer responsiveness and service The report also highlights growing interest in using generative AI — the same type of AI behind tools like ChatGPT — to improve warehouse operations, employee productivity, and supply chain design. One example cited in the report is Silk Logistics, an Australian company that has successfully used automation to upgrade its warehouse systems and improve customer service. Tech-Driven Resilience Across the Region The IDC report found that nearly all surveyed businesses in Asia-Pacific identified visibility and agility as top priorities — in other words, knowing what's happening in their supply chain and being able to act quickly. In countries across Southeast Asia, organisations are also adopting technologies like cloud computing and robotics to reduce environmental impact and improve coordination. Stephanie Krishnan, associate vice president at IDC Asia/Pacific, said that successful businesses are moving away from siloed systems and toward connected platforms that allow them to make better decisions in real time. 'Unifying data and building collaborative digital networks will be the key to staying competitive in the years ahead,' Krishnan said. Looking Ahead The report arrives at a time when businesses globally are grappling with supply chain volatility, economic uncertainty, and calls for greater sustainability. It suggests that those willing to invest in intelligent, integrated technologies will be better equipped to weather future disruptions. The full report findings were presented during a webinar featuring IDC and Blue Yonder, where experts discussed the future of supply chains in the Asia-Pacific region.


Techday NZ
15-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
ANZ firms boost AI investment to future-proof supply chains
A new IDC InfoBrief sponsored by Blue Yonder has found that organisations in Australia and New Zealand are increasing investment in artificial intelligence (AI) supply chain technologies to strengthen resilience, increase productivity, and address changing customer expectations. The report, titled "AI-Driven Orchestration for the Modern Supply Chain", is based on a survey conducted by IDC of 742 business leaders across the manufacturing, retail, logistics, transportation, wholesale, and distribution sectors throughout the Asia/Pacific region. The findings point to a proactive adoption of technology in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), with companies seeking to mitigate legacy challenges and enhance overall supply chain visibility through automation, predictive analytics, and intelligent warehousing. According to the survey, 99.5% of supply chain leaders across the entire Asia/Pacific region consider visibility a primary priority, while 99.7% see agility in responding to disruptions as essential. The research indicates that AI and advanced technologies are playing a pivotal role, enabling organisations to make faster decisions, foster stronger supplier collaboration, and develop more adaptable logistics strategies. In terms of strategic priorities for the coming three years, ANZ respondents identified the following focus areas: multi-shoring strategies to diversify supply bases and reduce risks, cybersecurity resilience to safeguard increasingly digital supply chain environments, accelerated product innovation for quicker delivery to market, and improved consumer focus to raise satisfaction and responsiveness. Warehouse and inventory management emerged as the principal area for generative AI applications in ANZ, followed by enhancements in worker productivity, procurement processes, and broader supply chain design. The report details real-world examples, such as Silk Logistics' adoption of warehouse automation, to illustrate how local companies are achieving operational improvements and enhancing customer service through the use of AI-driven tools. Antonio Boccalandro, President, APAC at Blue Yonder, commented on the findings: "ANZ businesses are responding to a new era of supply chain complexity by leaning into AI-driven orchestration. They are building smarter, more connected ecosystems that can see, analyze, decide, and act in real time. As the region is beset by economic and logistical challenges, this innovation will be critical to ensure business continuity and success." The study also contrasts the approach in ANZ with broader developments across Southeast Asia, where digital connectivity and sustainability are at the forefront. Organisations in these regions are increasingly utilising cloud-based collaboration platforms, robotics, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices to tackle fragmentation in supply chains, limit environmental footprints, and remain agile amid rapid market changes. The IDC InfoBrief reveals that 47% of Asia/Pacific supply chain organisations are already seeing reduced time from data collection to decision-making thanks to AI applications, and 35% are using digital ecosystems to improve collaboration with suppliers. The research points to a regional movement towards predictive technologies forming the backbone of procurement, logistics, fulfilment, and customer engagement functions. The report highlights orchestration—defined as the integration of data, systems, and processes across internal and external stakeholders—as a crucial strategy for contemporary supply chains. This approach aims to eliminate silos and manual interventions, supporting quicker responses, cost reductions, and more environmentally sustainable operations. Stephanie Krishnan, Associate Vice President, IDC Asia/Pacific, commented: "Organisations across Asia/Pacific must adopt scalable AI solutions, cloud platforms, and collaborative ecosystems to future-proof their supply chains. Those who can unify their data and orchestrate their networks in real-time will lead in performance, resilience, and innovation." The survey underpinning these findings included business leaders from industries most affected by supply chain complexity and transformation, reflecting the region's urgent focus on digital enablement as global supply chain challenges persist.