Keynote: Google’s Niemi urges digital transformation for supply chains

Technologies including cloud-based analytics, mobility and wearables are transforming supply chain efficiencies in what amounts to a digital revolution for industry, said Renee Niemi, director of the Android and Chrome global business for Google for Work, at Monday’s keynote address.

In a talk titled, “Transforming your Manufacturing Business for the New Digital Age,” Niemi said technologies such as cloud computing, mobility, lightweight “apps” and analytics are making companies more efficient and agile.

One example she pointed to was how GM is using Google Glass and a mobile app to show assembly workers how to properly install molding trim on vehicles. “They can see through the glass to see … the right technique to use,” Niemi said. “That’s a connected worker.”

Cloud-based analytics, meanwhile, can cut supply chain costs and improve upside opportunities by monitoring point-of-sale and e-commerce trends in near real time. This way, companies can position goods at the right stores or regions based on real-time demand trends, Niemi said, rather than relying on “vanilla” formulas for inventory positioning or even waiting days to get insights from analytics solutions that involve loading data onto local servers.

Industry participants will have to choose the “battles” to fight in terms of which technologies to push for, Niemi said, while also recognizing that going digital will involve “cultural change as well as complete business transformation.”

ProMat 2015 is scheduled to be held March 23-26, 2014 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The tradeshow will showcase the latest manufacturing, distribution and supply chain solutions in the material handling and logistics industry. Modern’s complete ProMat 2015 coverage.