AI, IoT and the future of connected supply chains: Building smarter businesses
· Source: cio.economictimes.indiatimes.com
In short
This article explores how AI is transforming the often-overlooked first mile of supply chains—supplier discovery and matchmaking—enabling buyers to pinpoint exactly what they need from suppliers before a purchase order is even cut. It highlights data fragmentation, security hurdles, and disconnected pilot projects as key challenges, citing a McKinsey report that a single supplier search takes around three months and over 40 hours of a sourcing professional's time. The author argues that an intelligent, connected first mile—supported by shared data definitions, interoperability, and IoT-enabled information flow—lays the groundwork for seamless downstream operations and more efficient, responsive supply chains.
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In the issue of week 36, 2026: AI-Driven Automation and Integration Reshape Supply Chain Efficiency and Security
Tags: supply chain, IoT, AI, first mile, supplier discovery, data integration