Podcasts about Supply chain management

This week, Mike Weisberg of Implement explains how AI is improving sales forecasting through trust, purpose, and accuracy, while reshaping the planner's role, reducing inventory bias, and separating prediction from human judgment.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== In this episode, Mike Weisberg shares practical guidance on using AI in sales forecasting, including the right data foundation, six implementation dogmas, and explainable models. He also outlines how planners evolve into business partners and why judgment still matters most. ===== Guest: Mike Weisbjerg, Partner, Implement Consulting GroupMike is a Partner at Implement Consulting Group, where he has spent the last decade working at the intersection of supply chain planning and technology. He specialises in demand planning and AI-driven forecasting and decision making. With a focus on implementing demand planning solutions, Mike helps organisations move AI from proof of concept to production - with forecasts that planners actually trust.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.   She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  ===== Show Links:Implement Consulting Group. LinkArticle: Beyond accuracy: Six dogmas for turning AI forecasting into real business valueSupply Chain Management:  ⁠⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠⁠ ⁠⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠⁠       Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, Oyku Ilgar: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠      SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:06: Guest's Introductions00:02:05: Why traditional forecasting struggles in volatile markets00:03:25: The three fundamentals: trust, purpose, accuracy00:07:03: Which data matters most for AI forecasting00:10:12: Why bad data should not delay AI adoption00:13:26: The six dogmas for AI forecasting implementation00:14:38: The evolving role of the demand planner00:16:54: Measuring success beyond forecast accuracy00:18:35: How can Implement help companies in this latest AI-infused planning era?00:19:36: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:20:17: Outro

The automotive industry spends a lot of time talking about supply chains, but not nearly enough time talking about the people who make them work.In this episode of the Auto Supply Chain Champions Podcast, Jan Griffiths and Tom Roberts are joined by Leah Wolf, retired General Motors supply chain executive and professor at Central Michigan University, for a conversation about one of the industry's most important and often overlooked challenges: developing the next generation of supply chain talent.After spending 33 years leading supply chain operations at General Motors, Leah now brings real-world experience into the classroom, helping students bridge the gap between theory and execution. From case competitions and plant tours to supplier strategy and inventory management, she shares how universities can prepare students for the realities of today's manufacturing environment.The conversation explores how the skills required for supply chain success are evolving. Technical knowledge remains important, but leadership, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving skills continue to set great supply chain professionals apart from the rest. As AI and automation reshape the industry, Leah and Tom discuss why technology will amplify human capability rather than replace it.This conversation challenges supply chain leaders to rethink their talent pipeline. The organizations that build strong partnerships with universities, invest in experiential learning, and engage future talent early will be better positioned to navigate disruption and lead the next era of automotive supply chain excellence.Themes Discussed in This EpisodeBuilding the automotive supply chain talent pipelineBridging academia and industry experienceWhy real-world learning matters in supply chain educationThe evolving role of AI in supply chain careersLeadership, teamwork, and problem-solving under pressureDeveloping future-ready supply chain professionalsUniversity partnerships and talent development strategiesThis podcast is powered by QAD RedZone.Featured GuestName: Leah Wolf Title: Professor of Supply Chain Management, Central Michigan University; Retired General Motors Supply Chain ExecutiveAbout: Professor Leah Wolf spent 33 years with General Motors, primarily serving in global supply chain leadership roles across North America and Europe. Since retiring from GM in 2016, she has focused on developing the next generation of supply chain professionals, teaching graduate and undergraduate supply chain management courses at Central Michigan University and Wayne State University while bringing decades of real-world industry experience into the classroom.Connect: LinkedInAbout Your HostsJan GriffithsJan is the host and producer of the Auto Supply Chain Champions Podcast and The Automotive Leaders Podcast. A former automotive manufacturing and supply chain executive, Jan is recognized as a Champion for Culture Change in the automotive industry. She brings direct, grounded conversations to leaders navigating execution, disruption, and transformation across the global automotive ecosystem.Tom Roberts (Co-host)Tom is Co-host of the Auto Supply Chain Champions Podcast and Vice President of Strategic Industry Development at QAD. He works closely with automotive and industrial manufacturers to close the gap between insight and execution, helping leaders move from visibility to systems of action that drive real operational outcomes.Episode Highlights[02:43] From the Plant Floor to Global Supply Chain: Leah reflects on her 33-year career at General Motors, beginning as a production supervisor and eventually leading supply chain operations across multiple countries and cultures.[04:28] Learning Beyond the Classroom: Students gain hands-on experience through case competitions, trade shows, plant tours, and real-world consulting projects before entering the workforce.[08:53] The Total Enterprise Cost Lesson: Jan and Leah discuss why great supply chain decisions require balancing piece price, inventory, logistics, quality, and supplier relationships rather than focusing on a single metric.[12:19] Teaching Real-World Problem Solving: Leah explains how she challenges students with current supply chain issues and forces them to think through implementation, execution, and business outcomes.[14:22] Making Supply Chain Exciting: Plant tours, warehouse visits, and real manufacturing environments help students understand the fast-paced and dynamic nature of supply chain careers.[18:28] The Skills That Never Go Out of Style: A sense of urgency, leadership, transparency, teamwork, and strong interpersonal relationships remain foundational skills for supply chain success.[19:46] The Blackout That Tested a Team: Leah shares a memorable story from the Northeast Blackout and how a highly engaged team found creative ways to keep production running.[22:31] Why AI Changes the Game: Tom and Leah explore how AI, automation, predictive analytics, and risk mapping are transforming supply chain operations and decision-making.[25:01] Preparing Students for an AI-Powered Future: Students are increasingly exposed to AI applications that automate routine processes and help supply chain professionals make faster, more informed decisions.[26:55] Building a Stronger Talent Pipeline: Leah encourages supply chain leaders to engage with universities early, support internships and experiential learning, and build relationships with future talent before graduation.Top Quotes[10:23] Leah Wolf: “Total enterprise cost is key, and I teach that all day long. You've got to run the numbers, and you've got to do the business case.”[15:18] Leah Wolf: "I would go into work every day thinking I've seen it all. And then, I'd go to work the next day, and something else that I'd never even dreamed would've happened would've happened. "[24:47] Leah Wolf: "Everything you just mentioned, I've done manually, and it's very difficult, and sometimes you can't get all the answers, and maybe until it's too late. But with AI, it's going to change all that. It's just gonna be amazing."Follow the Auto Supply Chain Champions Podcast for real conversations with leaders who are making hard choices, focusing their bets, and leading with intent.

In this episode, we speak with Leroy Roberts about preventing supply chain failures through accountability, leadership under pressure, and the role of AI, clarity, and collaboration in resilient decision-making.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== This week, we talked with Leroy Roberts about leadership under pressure, supply chain disruption, and preventing failure through clear accountability. We discussed psychological safety, the balance between firm control and burnout, the value of AI in risk management, and why future supply chains depend on collaboration, partnership, and better decision-making.  ===== Guest 1: : Leroy Roberts, British Army veteran, Non-Executive Director, and Executive Adviser,  Team-Worth SolutionsLeroy Roberts is a British Army veteran, Non-Executive Director, and Executive Adviser specialising in culture and conduct risk in high-pressure, regulated environments. He works with executive risk owners, including CEOs, CROs, COOs, CPOs, and CHROs, to strengthen decision-making, accountability, and truth-telling under pressure. Leroy helps organisations reduce culture and conduct risk signals within 90 days through practical, diagnostic-led interventions that restore operational grip and produce measurable, auditable improvement. Drawing on leadership experience from the British Army and the Jamaica Constabulary Force, alongside board-level governance experience, he brings a grounded perspective on how leadership behaviour under pressure either amplifies or contains organisational risk. He is the author of The Risk Owner's Reset and a contributing author to the international best-selling series Stand on the Shoulders of Giants.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAP   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.===== Show Links:Link to the book: amazon.com/dp/B0GMS2G361 The Culture and conduct scorecard: https://pro.speakerhub.com/speaker-feedback/?qr=e9a16245-4ab1-4c63-81e7-ce225d9e5372Supply Chain Management:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠       Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠, SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:00: Guest's Introductions00:01:59: Staying in control during disruption without micromanaging00:04:07: Accountability gaps and early warning signs00:07:40: Building a safe environment for constructive challenge00:11:08: Using AI for risk management with human judgment00:13:26: Accountability without burnout in volatile conditions00:19:20: Leadership under pressure during COVID logistics00:22:56: ''The Risk Owners Reset'' book00:25:55: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:27:12: Outro

In this episode, hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby welcome Wally Shaw, CEO of Red Stag Fulfillment, to explore how a purpose-built 3PL is carving out a competitive edge by focusing on what others avoid.Shaw shares how Red Stag built its model around big, bulky products—an overlooked segment of the fulfillment market—and why that specialization enables stronger service performance, tighter quality control, and meaningful differentiation. He also discusses the company's distinctive approach to service guarantees, including zero tolerance for shrinkage and financial accountability when service levels are missed.The conversation spans how leading 3PLs are navigating today's most pressing challenges: AI adoption and automation readiness, geopolitical uncertainty, tariffs, and shifting global sourcing patterns. Shaw also offers perspective on why customer selectivity and long-term decision making  can lead to better outcomes for both providers and brands.The episode was recorded virtually on June 9, 2026.Related links:Complete the Annual 3PL Study survey for 2027Register for virtual SCM Academies in Leadership, Finance, Procurement, and TechnologySave the date for the Fall Supply Chain Forum, Nov. 10–12 Download free white papers from UT experts Become a GSCI partner to learn, network, and recruit with the top supply chain education institution in North America  Join the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative to explore advanced concepts in SCM with top industry experts and scholars   Fill out Tom Goldsby's survey on warehouse automationFollow GSCI on LinkedIn   Subscribe to GSCI's monthly newsletter    Read the latest news and insights from GSCI Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

In today's Cloud Wars Minute, I break down how DynaTech Systems enabled Solmax to turn operational complexity into global efficiency with D365, Power BI, and Microsoft Fabric. Highlights 00:03 — Today I want to take a bit of a dive into a specific case study: the story about the impact of digital transformation enabled by one company on the business outcomes of another. I love having the opportunity to explore stories like this because, as important as it is to discuss the technology itself, how it's implemented and what that implementation can lead to is just as critical. 00:41 — Solmax is a leading geosynthetics manufacturer focused on civil and environmental infrastructure, operating across four continents through 32 legal entities. This broad reach, although great from a growth perspective, was creating challenges such as data silos, inconsistent processes, and a lack of standardized reporting, which affected financial and operational insights. 01:08 — Beyond this, manual processes led to inefficiencies. Complex sales price calculations hindered productivity, and reliance on outdated Microsoft systems resulted in slower Power BI report refresh times. To address these challenges, Solmax had a core goal: the One Organization, One Data, One Reporting initiative. 01:52 — DynaTech has a number of solutions it will tailor to suit the outcomes of an individual client. In the case of Solmax, the company opted for its finance optimization solution. After process consulting, DynaTech enabled a greenfield implementation of D365 Finance and Supply Chain Management with unified processes across 32 entities. 03:17 — Beyond this, unified real-time dashboards enhanced global reporting, supported faster decision-making, and improved the company's audit readiness. Solmax was able to reduce freight costs, accelerate delivery cycles, improve truck utilization, minimize penalties, and shorten accounts payable and receivable processing times. Less manual intervention meant fewer errors. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

What if your ERP is secure… but still costing you millions? As AI and automation reshape enterprise systems, hidden gaps in security models can quietly undermine control, integrity, and trust.=====As ERP systems become the backbone of highly connected, AI-driven ecosystems, traditional security models are no longer enough. In this episode, PwC's Stuart Light explores why organizations must rethink security as a proactive, holistic discipline, focused on data integrity, ecosystem-wide access, and closing hidden gaps that can silently erode business value.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Useful Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Cloud ERP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Us on Social Media!SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠=====Guest: Stewart Light, PwCHost 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Follow Richard Howell on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAPOyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.Follow Oyku Ilgar on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠=====Key Topics: ERP security, cloud ERP, SAP, S4HANA, cybersecurity, identity access management, least privilege, AI, digital workers, ERP transformation, enterprise risk, access control, data integrity, ecosystem security, compliance

In this episode, PwC's Moritz Kramer shares practical GenAI use cases in supply chain planning, from decision support and scenario analysis to data harmonization, productivity gains, and guided decision-making with humans still in control.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== This week, Moritz Kramer of PwC explains how GenAI is moving supply chain planning from static analysis to real-time, decision-centric support. He covers data readiness, black-box transparency, productivity uplift, and why AI will augment planners rather than replace them. ===== Guest 1: Moritz Kramer, Director Integrated Business & Financial Planning, PwC GmbH WPGMoritz is a Director with over 10 years of experience shaping and delivering business‑led supply chain transformations for international organizations. He works across the full transformation journey—from defining strategic direction to translating vision into execution—covering SCM strategy, operating model innovation, organizational and process design, and the implementation of advanced planning solutions, like SAP. His work is driven by the ambition to build resilient, intelligent, and future‑ready supply chains, leveraging digital and AI technologies where they create clear business impact, while keeping a strong focus on value, scalability, and sustainable change.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAP   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.===== Show Links:PwCSupply Chain Management:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠⁠       Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:30: Guest's Introductions00:03:04: Real value of GenAI in supply chain planning00:04:24: Scenario exploration and natural-language responsiveness00:05:12: Productivity uplift and automation of manual work00:05:53: Bridging business and IT with GenAI00:07:45: GenAI as the “black box” explainer00:09:42: Data readiness for GenAI rollout00:11:24: AI for data harmonization00:13:36: AI replacing or augmenting people00:20:20: Biggest implementation obstacles00:23:46: Future trends for AI and GenAI 00:27:09: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:28:31: Outro

Mit dieser Episode möchte ich mit einem neuen Format im Karriere-Podcast beginnen. Es ist das Format der erzählten Karriere-Story. In dieser Karriere-Story geht es zugegebenermaßen um die beruflichen Hintergründe von Personen in Top-Führungspositionen, also auf C-Level-Ebene oder Geschäftsführungsebene und auch Vice-President-Ebene. Das ist auch der Hintergrund, warum ich diese Episode "die Demontage von Top-Führungskräften" genannt habe. Denn häufig ist es wirklich nichts anderes als eine strategisch geplante Demontage; manche sagen auch "Absägen von Führungskräften". In dieser Episode hörst Du die Geschichte von Jörg; von seinem Werdegang bis zum bitteren Ende bei seinem Arbeitgeber.

Send me a messageWhat if supply chain resilience is already too slow for the world we're now operating in?In this episode of the Resilient Supply Chain Podcast, I'm joined by Abe Eshkenazi, CEO of ASCM, the Association for Supply Chain Management. Abe has watched supply chain move from a quiet back-office function to a boardroom priority, and this conversation gets into why that shift matters now, as export controls, tariffs, climate volatility, cybersecurity, sustainability pressures, and supplier risk collide in real time.You'll hear how agility has become more than a contingency plan. Abe makes the case that resilient supply chains are no longer just about recovering after a shock. They are about seeing earlier, deciding faster, and building optionality before disruption turns expensive. We break down why supply chain visibility is now table stakes, but also why knowing who and what is in your supplier network creates a harder question: should those suppliers still be there?We also explore the tension between CFOs pushing for lower inventory and cash flow discipline, and supply chain leaders pushing for flexibility, resilience, and long-term capability. Abe explains why AI in supply chain, automation, data, and real-time visibility matter, but also why technology without talent and critical thinking can become another risk vector. And you might be surprised by the cybersecurity angle: connecting the extended supply chain solves one visibility problem, while opening up new exposure through smaller suppliers.

In this episode, we speak with Adi Sharoff of BrainBox Consulting Digital about why business networks are the invisible backbone of supply chains. We discuss B2B friction, supplier onboarding, touchless automation, AI, and how procurement teams can move from manual execution to forward-looking value creation.Guest: Adi Sharoff, Managing Partner, Brainbox ConsultingAdi Sharoff is a seasoned business leader, entrepreneur, and investor with over two decades of experience in digital transformation, procurement, and enterprise technology. As Managing Partner of Brainbox Consulting, he leads global initiatives across SAP Ariba, SAP Business Network, Concur, and BTP-driven automation programs. With a strong track record of delivering large-scale transformation projects across APAC, Europe, and North America, Adi is passionate about helping organizations modernize procurement, enhance operational efficiency, and drive sustainable business growth. He is also actively involved in strategic advisory, practice development, and building high-performing global teams.Host: Richard Howells, SAP   Richard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.  ===== Show Links:Brainbox ConsultingSupply Chain Management:  SAP Supply Chain Management SAP Insights: Supply Chain         Follow Us on Social Media   Adi Sharoff - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adi-sharoff-a14870187/ Richard Howells - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells/ SAP Digital Supply Chain - LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapscm/Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! 

#realconversations #College #Rutgers #supplychain #marketing#mentoring CONVERSATIONS WITH CALVIN — WE THE SPECIESHosted by Calvin SchwartzMeet ADITI SANDHIR. “This is magically one of my mostspecial and precious interviews. Last September, I was assigned to mentor Aditias part of the 4WARD Mentoring program at Rutgers University. She is asophomore studying Supply Chain and Marketing at Rutgers Business School. Afterour first Zoom session, instant chemistry. I marveled at her depth, brilliance,versatility, and eloquence. I joked that I felt like I was talking to aforty-year-old, not a sophomore. A huge compliment, I explained. The programrequired one mentoring session a month. We decided on one Zoom session a week.That's chemistry. And testament to Aditi, we bridged and leveled our sixty-yearage difference that first hour. We met in person when Aditi chaired a Diningwith the Distinguished event with the Future Business Leaders of America. Thisyear flew by. Aditi amazed. A most perfect mentoring experience. And thisinterview today was our last official communication. Hugely sentimental. Andthis interview is like the last 800 global interviews and videos I've done onConversations with Calvin. Best to watch and absorb. In the meantime. Some ofAditi's thoughts. Set boundaries. The importance of networking. Consistency inhabits. Sleep. Eat. Stay in the present (like the power of Now). Wanting tospend the day with Kalpana Chawla (the first woman of Indian origin in space).To give back. I didn't want this interview to end. I continue to marvel atAditi. But it's Saturday. A few weeks to finals.” Calvin

On this episode of The Buzz, Scott Luton is joined by special co-host Dr. Muddassir Ahmed and special guest Anthony Reeves, Vice President of Global Brand & Creative at Kohler and author of Eat the Donkey: Why Great Companies Embrace Discomfort. Together, they explore the realities of AI adoption, decision-making optimization, innovation, leadership, and what separates organizations that thrive from those that struggle to keep pace. As supply chains continue to evolve in the age of AI, organizations face critical decisions about technology adoption, data quality, change management, and leadership. Scott, Muddassir, and Anthony examine why many AI initiatives fail, what companies can learn from both successes and setbacks, and why strong decision-making remains one of the most valuable competitive advantages. The conversation also explores the growing importance of human connection, brand differentiation, organizational culture, and the willingness to embrace discomfort in pursuit of long-term growth. Drawing on experiences from Amazon, Kohler, Starbucks, and other global brands, Anthony shares powerful lessons on innovation, leadership, and staying true to what makes an organization unique. Key Takeaways: AI success depends as much on adoption, change management, and leadership as it does on technology. High-quality, contextualized data remains the foundation for effective AI implementation. Organizations must learn from failed initiatives just as much as successful ones. Soft skills, emotional intelligence, and human connection will become increasingly valuable as AI handles more routine work. Strong brands remain differentiated by purpose, customer experience, and authenticity—not technology alone. Great leaders make difficult decisions early rather than delaying action until opportunities have passed. Whether you're leading a supply chain transformation, evaluating AI investments, or building a stronger organization, this episode offers practical insights from leaders who have navigated innovation at the highest levels. You'll walk away with actionable advice on decision-making, change management, leadership, and creating organizations that can thrive amid constant disruption. Additional Links & Resources: Guest LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyreeves/ Guest Instagram Handle: @anthony.j.reeves Guest Company Website: anthonyreeves.co APL Logistics: https://www.apllogistics.com/ With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-7JUN2026 The Corner Market: https://bit.ly/The-Corner-Market Exclusive: Starbucks scraps AI inventory tool across North America: https://reut.rs/4vuPSkR 4 Supply Chain and AI Predictions for 2026: https://bit.ly/AI-Predictions-2026 AI Strategy Takes A Data Foundation That Cleansing Can't Provide: https://bit.ly/Paul-Noble-Gartner2026-Takeaways 5 Signs Your Supply Chain Has Outgrown How It's Managed Today: https://bit.ly/5-signs-your-SC-has-outgrown-mgmt Eat the Donkey: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G97CHK9F When Safety Technologies Backfire and How Managers Can Prevent It: https://bit.ly/When-Safety-Tech-Backfires Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/ Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/ Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyreeves/ SCMDOJO: https://sensei.scmdojo.com/ Connect with Muddassir on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muddassirism/ Follow Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/ WEBINAR- Amazon Supply Chain 101: Enabling efficiency and growth for businesses everywhere–and everywhere they sell: https://bit.ly/49r8N7D WEBINAR- The Expanding Role of Supply Chain Optimization Teams in Driving Business Impact: https://bit.ly/3PHRAAf WEBINAR- AI that moves at velocity: Cut through latency with agentic workflows: https://bit.ly/4x4626t This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Dr. Mudassir Ahmed. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/buzz-ai-adoption-brand-differentiation-embracing-comfort-1595 The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode we sit down with Bernhard Kowatsch, Director of Global Accelerator and Ventures at the UN World Food Programme (WFP), to talk about humanitarian logistics and how digital tools and AI are transforming decision-making. Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== In this episode we sit down with Bernhard Kowatsch, Director of Global Accelerator and Ventures at the UN World Food Programme (WFP), to talk about humanitarian logistics and how digital tools and AI are transforming decision-making. Bernhard explains that acute hunger has risen from 85 million pre-COVID to over 318 million due to conflicts, extreme weather, and economic shocks, increasing supply chain complexity across 120 countries using thousands of trucks, ships, and aircraft. The WFP uses AI for real-time and forecasted food security, and its Scout optimization tool to balance cost and speed across procurement, warehousing, and routing, saving $6M in 18 months and targeting $25M annually. He describes responsible AI, human oversight, prioritization by vulnerability, last-mile constraints, and WFP's Munich Innovation Accelerator model and partnership needs. ===== Guest: Bernhard Kowatsch Bernhard Kowatsch is the Director Global Accelerator and Ventures at the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP). Since he created the Global Accelerator in 2015, it has become one of the Worlds biggest impact startup accelerators, offering 18 annual programmes.Prior to starting the Accelerator, Bernhard co-founded the award-winning ShareTheMeal app that crowdsources funding for WFP and has delivered over 300 million meals for hungry children worldwide. His previous experience includes creating WFP's Business Innovation Unit and working as a Project Leader at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Sin ToSin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.===== Show Links:SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠www.sap.com/scm⁠ World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator:  https://innovation.wfp.org/World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator 2025 Year in Review: https://innovation.wfp.org/year-review-2025World Food Programme Hunger Map: https://hungermap.wfp.org/food?w=ipc-phase-3Follow Us on Social Media : Bernhard KowatschLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernhardkowatsch/ Richard Howells:LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells⁠ Sin To: LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to-5334208⁠ SAP Digital Supply Chain:LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/⁠ Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to Future Supply Chains and AI Vision for WFP00:38 Humanitarian Logistics Intro01:42 Meet Bernhard Kowatsch02:35 Crisis Drivers and Hunger Surge04:46 Scale and Speed in Emergencies06:16 Planning Under Uncertainty09:18 Digital Supply Chain and Responsible AI12:01 Making AI Work Scout Savings14:34 Prioritization Access and Last Mile Tech18:43 Innovation Accelerator in Munich22:30 Partnering with WFP24:17 Future Supply Chain Wrap Up

Today, we speak with Rafael Avila, who discusses how AI-powered logistics improves visibility, reduces emissions, and helps companies balance cost, service, and sustainability in transportation planning.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== In this episode, Rafael Avila of Westernacher joins us to discuss the future of logistics. He explains how AI can make emissions visible earlier, improve mode and carrier decisions, reduce waste, and support better service. The conversation also explores workforce shifts and the importance of end-to-end supply chain visibility. ===== Guest: Rafael Avila, Supply Chain and Logistics leader, Westernacher ConsultingRafael Avila is a Supply Chain and Logistics leader specializing in SAP Transportation Management and end-to-end supply chain transformation at Westernacher Consulting. With over a decade of experience, he has worked across global organizations to design and deliver solutions that improve transportation planning, execution, and visibility across complex networks. A former IBM consulting leader, Rafael spent years supporting large-scale S/4HANA programs and shaping supply chain strategies across industries including consumer products, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and mining. His work has focused on helping organizations connect transportation with warehousing, trade, and order management to unlock more integrated and resilient supply chains. Today, Rafael continues to work closely with clients on modern logistics challenges, with a strong focus on simplifying complex topics, driving practical outcomes, and exploring how technologies like AI are reshaping transportation and supply chain decision-making.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.   She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  ===== Show Links:WesternacherArticle: Smarter Transportation Management cuts your carbon footprintSupply Chain Management:  ⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠ ⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠       Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, Oyku Ilgar: ⁠LinkedIn⁠      SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠LinkedIn⁠    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:22: Guest's Introductions00:04:48: Making transportation emissions visible with AI00:07:39: Why reporting alone does not reduce emissions00:09:50: Mode selection and carrier choice matter00:12:33: AI can cut cost, emissions, and service waste together00:14:27: Biggest sustainability wins in transportation planning 00:18:28: How AI changes the logistics workforce 00:22:33: Common pitfalls in digitizing supply chain00:25:14: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:26:28: Outro

Artificial intelligence continues to dominate supply chain conversations, but why are so many organizations struggling to move beyond pilots and into enterprise-wide success? In this episode of The Buzz powered by APL Logistics, Scott Luton and Alex Pradhan explore the latest research and developments shaping the future of supply chain leadership, AI adoption, omnichannel fulfillment, workforce transformation, and decision intelligence. Special guest Arash Aghlara, Founder and CEO of FlexRule, joins the discussion to share why better decisions—not just better data—may be the key to unlocking supply chain performance. From AI pilot purgatory and omnichannel profitability to talent shortages and protein supply disruptions, this episode tackles some of the most pressing challenges facing supply chain leaders today. Scott, Alex, and Arash dive into new research from leading organizations including MIT, Accenture, GEP, and the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Along the way, they explore the growing importance of governance, the role of decision intelligence in modern operations, and why organizations must move beyond visibility alone to create smarter, faster, and more effective business outcomes.   Key Takeaways: Why nearly three-quarters of organizations have yet to move AI initiatives beyond planning and pilot stages. How decision intelligence helps organizations bridge the gap between data, visibility, and action. Key findings from MIT's latest State of Supply Chain Omnichannel research. Why supply chain leaders must rethink workforce development amid a projected talent shortage. The critical role governance plays in scaling AI and improving operational decision-making. How organizations can identify and manage interconnected decisions across planning, logistics, inventory, and customer service. Why practical execution—not hype—is essential for successful digital transformation.   If you're navigating AI adoption, digital transformation, talent challenges, or increasing supply chain complexity, this episode delivers practical insights and actionable strategies from experienced industry leaders. You'll walk away with a deeper understanding of how decision intelligence can help organizations move beyond visibility, improve execution, and build more resilient supply chains in an increasingly complex business environment.   Additional Links & Resources: APL Logistics: https://www.apllogistics.com/ With That Said: https://bit.ly/WTS-31-May-2026 5 Signs Your Supply Chain Has Outgrown How It's Managed Today: https://bit.ly/5-signs-your-SC-has-outgrown-mgmt Supply Chain AI Is Stuck in Pilot Purgatory Because the Operating Model Is Missing: https://bit.ly/4u4dPyj GEP Webinar: https://bit.ly/10-June-2026-Webinar State of Supply Chain Omnichannel Report: https://bit.ly/3RUcHju Turning the supply chain talent shortage into strength: https://accntu.re/4vkqNZQ Protein powder shortage threatens America's biggest food craze: https://bit.ly/3RIkrFd Upcoming Live Programming:  https://supplychainnow.com/upcoming-live-programming/ Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/ FlexRule: https://www.flexrule.com/ The Supply Chain Whisperer on Why Practicality Still Wins: https://bit.ly/Why-Practicality-Still-Matters Connect with Arash on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arashaghlara/ Connect with Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandrapradhan/ Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes: https://supplychainnow.com/brands/supply-chain-now/ Subscribe to Supply Chain Now: https://linktr.ee/Supplychainnow Check out the Supply Chain Now Resource Hub: https://supplychainnow.com/resource-hub/ Work with Us! Download the Supply Chain Now 2026 Media Kit: https://supplychainnow.com/media-kit/ WEBINAR- From AI Pilots to Performance: How Supply Chain Leaders Are Scaling Agentic AI: https://bit.ly/49hCqIq WEBINAR- Amazon Supply Chain 101: Enabling efficiency and growth for businesses everywhere–and everywhere they sell: https://bit.ly/49r8N7D WEBINAR- The Expanding Role of Supply Chain Optimization Teams in Driving Business Impact: https://bit.ly/3PHRAAf WEBINAR- AI that moves at velocity: Cut through latency with agentic workflows: https://bit.ly/4x4626t For everything else, start here: https://supplychainnow.com This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Alex Pradhan, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychiannow.com/buzz-how-decision-intelligence-transform-supply-chain-performance-1592 The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Will AI replace auditors? This episode explores how AI is transforming auditing, why human judgment remains critical, and what the future of ERP and audit looks like in an AI-driven world.=====This episode explores the impact of AI on auditing, from automation of routine tasks to its role in shaping controls and decision-making. It examines trust, regulation, and current adoption challenges, while emphasizing the continued importance of human judgment. The discussion also looks ahead to how AI will influence audit efficiency, workforce evolution, and the future of ERP within an integrated, intelligent ecosystem.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Useful Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Cloud ERP⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ey.comFollow Us on Social Media!SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠=====Guest: Shaylin Moodley, Ernst & Young LLPShaylin is a SAP security, risk and controls leader who acts as a guardian of audit success for SAP‑heavy organisations. He partners with CFOs, CIOs, CROs and assurance leaders to cut the cost of compliance, assure complex SAP S/4HANA programmes, and design roles, SoD and controls that stand up to regulator and auditor challenge, particularly through audit rotation, heightened scrutiny and early AI adoption. Being an IT External Auditor for a range of the FTSE 250 with one hat, allows him to advise other organisations on what an external auditor marks against when designing controls whilst he wears his second hat. With over 10+ years across all four Big Four firms, he has supported a number of clients in financial services, utilities, energy, manufacturing and consumer, navigating go lives securely, avoiding year‑end surprises and landing “no repeat findings” on critical IT and programme level controls.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Follow Richard Howell on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAPOyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.Follow Oyku Ilgar on ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Community⁠⁠⁠⁠=====Key Topics: AI in auditing, ERP, external audit, cybersecurity, AI adoption, controls and compliance, audit automation, SAP, digital transformation, enterprise systems, risk management, governance, auditors role, AI governance, business technology, intelligent automation, The Future of ERP, SAP Podcasts

This week, we talk with SAP's Ralf Hierzegger about how network intelligence and AI can assist logistics teams in managing disruptions, enhancing collaboration, and building a more resilient supply chain.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== In this episode, we speak with SAP's Ralf Hierzegger about how constant disruption, digital dependencies, and climate and regulatory shifts are reshaping logistics. They explore why supply chains must move beyond company borders, how AI can support real-time decisions, and why trusted network collaboration is essential for better execution, efficiency, and resilience. ===== Guest 1: Ralf Hierzegger, Chief Product Owner of SAP BN4L, SAPRalf has built his career at the intersection of logistics, consulting, and digital innovation. After starting out as a forwarding agent from 1990 to 1992, he studied economics from 1993 to 1996 before joining SAP in 1996 as a consultant. In 2013, he stepped into the role of Solution Architect at SAP SE Custom Development, focusing on Foreign Trade and Transportation Logistics. Since 2023, he has served as Chief Product Owner of SAP BN4L, helping shape the future of business networks in logistics. He is married and the father of two grown-up children.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAP   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.===== Show Links:Read: Circumventing Geopolitics: How Network Intelligence and AI Can Answer Uncertainty blog SAP Business AI Platform Supply chain logistics SAP Logistics AssistantSupply Chain Management:  ⁠⁠⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠⁠⁠       Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:22: Guest's Introductions00:02:23: Why logistics disruption is harder now00:06:26: Structural challenges in supply chain and logistics00:08:02: Using AI to respond to delays and blockages00:10:51: Why AI alone cannot solve logistics 00:12:36: The value of AI for a business network 00:14:24: How data sharing improves network performance00:16:27: First steps for adopting network intelligence and AI00:19:06: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:20:31: Outro

Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Intro (02:33) Welcoming Shannon Vaillancourt, CEO of RateLinx (03:12) Chicago Bears draft talk (quick icebreaker) (04:37) Why shippers overspend: hidden & unmonitored charges (05:54) Where technology falls short: data integration & visibility (07:28) Identifying red flags: underperforming carriers & dirty data (08:40) How RateLinx uncovers savings without a sourcing event (18:12) What RateLinx reveals first: data quality & routing context (20:20) Using the right carrier for the right product (22:15) Real-world example: the toilet company & a $200K routing fix (24:32) Parcel vs. LTL: how to know when to shift modes (38:10) Flash poll results: biggest freight cost headaches (53:00) Key takeaways & free savings snapshot from RateLinx   Additional Links & Resources: Connect with Shannon Vaillancourt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-vaillancourt/ Connect with Kimberly Reuter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-reuter-csg/ Learn more about RateLinx: https://www.ratelinx.com/ Learn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/about Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now's NEW Media Kit: https://supplychainnow.com/media-kit/ WEBINAR- From AI Pilots to Performance: How Supply Chain Leaders Are Scaling Agentic AI: https://bit.ly/49hCqIq WEBINAR- Amazon Supply Chain 101: Enabling efficiency and growth for businesses everywhere–and everywhere they sell: https://bit.ly/49r8N7D WEBINAR- The Expanding Role of Supply Chain Optimization Teams in Driving Business Impact: https://bit.ly/3PHRAAf This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com The content in this episode, including all audio, videos, visuals, and graphics, is the property of Supply Chain Now and is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, modification, or re-uploading of this content in any form is strictly prohibited without explicit written permission from Supply Chain Now.For licensing inquiries or permissions, please contact us at production@supplychainnow.com© 2026 Supply Chain Now. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome back to another episode of The Unconventional Path. In this special reissue from our archives, hosts Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman dive deep into the inspiring story of an entrepreneur who turned a passion for crafting into a global e-commerce success.Our guest today is Nicole Snow, the visionary founder of Darn Good Yarn. While many might assume the company is strictly about selling yarn, Nicole reveals how she has grown a multifaceted retail e-commerce business that serves a $44 billion crafting industry. Surprisingly, more than 70% of her revenue now comes from clothing and apparel, alongside a thriving subscription model with over 13,000 monthly members in her yarn club.In this interview, we explore the "human touch" required to build a brand from the ground up. Nicole shares her insights on the grit needed to manage complex international supply chains and the beauty of small business, where job roles often morph into robust, high-impact careers.Key topics discussed in this episode include:Building Community and Trust: Learn how Nicole leveraged these two core values to create a sustainable business model that remains resilient against changing trends and competition.The Power of Subscriptions: Discover how Darn Good Yarn uses a subscription-based model to simplify choices for customers and build long-term loyalty.Scaling a Small Business: Nicole discusses the evolution of her team and how hiring value-driven people allows a company to grow while maintaining its soul.Sustainable Success: Insights into creating a long-lasting business that identifies with the needs of everyday entrepreneurs.Connect with The Unconventional Path:Email: bela.and.mike@gmail.comListen on: iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon, and other major platforms.SEO Search Terms:Entrepreneurship, Small Business Growth, E-commerce Success, Sustainable Business Models, Building Brand Community, Darn Good Yarn, Nicole Snow, Value-Driven Business, Subscription Model Strategy, Supply Chain Management, Unconventional Career Paths, Crafting Industry Trends, Bela Musits, Mike Wasserman, Women in Business.

Arkestro's CEO, Rob DeSantis, joins us this week for an insightful conversation about why AI is the next major paradigm shift in the supply chain and how it can unlock faster value, better decisions, and happier teams.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== Join us as we explore AI as the next paradigm shift in supply chain. This week, Arkestro CEO Rob DeSantis shares lessons from the internet and cloud, the importance of trust and data quality, how AI is reshaping human work, and why fast time to value matters. ===== Guest 1: Rob DeSantis, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, ArkestroRob DeSantis is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at Arkestro. As a former co-founder of Ariba running sales, Rob has deep expertise in the procurement space, having helped propel Ariba from zero to $250 million in revenue in four years and IPO of the year in 1999 before its acquisition by SAP a decade later. In addition to co-founding Ariba, Rob was also an early angel investor and board member of LinkedIn, the world's largest professional online network.More recently, Rob served as an investor and advisor to a small portfolio of companies, including Bloom Energy, HiQ Labs, Agiloft, USEND and more. He is also a co-founder of TrueParity. Rob started his career as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry and holds a BSME from the University of Rhode Island.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAP   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.===== Show Links:Arkestro: https://arkestro.comSupply Chain Management:  ⁠⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠⁠ ⁠⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠⁠       Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: ⁠LinkedIn⁠, SAP Digital Supply Chain: ⁠LinkedIn⁠    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:00: Guest Introductions00:02:51: The biggest paradigm shifts00:04:53: Lessons from the internet and cloud for AI adoption00:07:23: Overcoming laggards and proving value in production00:08:55: Trusting AI in black-box supply chain planning00:11:54: How AI changes human roles and skills00:15:20: The main business benefits of AI00:19:02: KPIs for measuring AI success00:20:44: How Arkestro supports the paradigm shift00:22:38: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:23:19: Outro

In this episode, hosts Ted Stank and Tom Goldsby welcome Todd Steffen, market leader at KBC Advisors, to discuss how the industrial real estate market is both a mirror and a leading indicator of supply chain health.Steffen, a longtime GSCI Advisory Board member, brings a practitioner's eye to the industrial market, drawing on his background running distribution and logistics technology at Walgreens and years advising major occupiers and investors.The conversation spans how data centers are upending traditional site selection by competing for the same power infrastructure and land that distribution centers need; how sublease space and landlord concessions are creating hidden opportunities for occupiers; and why modular automation and AI are finally moving the needle on productivity inside the four walls.Related links: Fill out Tom Goldsby's survey on warehouse automationSave the date for the Fall Supply Chain Forum, Nov. 10–12 Download free white papers from UT experts Become a GSCI partner to learn, network, and recruit with the top supply chain education institution in North America  Join the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative to explore advanced concepts in SCM with top industry experts and scholars   Follow GSCI on LinkedIn   Subscribe to GSCI's monthly newsletter    Read the latest news and insights from GSCI Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

Why generic AI fails in ERP and how industry-specific intelligence unlocks real value. PwC's Frank Ruland shares use cases, integration challenges, and what's next for AI-powered, future-ready ERP systems.=====In this episode, Richard Howell speaks with PwC's Frank Ruland about the shift from generic AI to industry-specific intelligence in ERP. They unpack why context is critical, explore real-world use cases in manufacturing and retail, and discuss integration, adoption, and data challenges. The episode closes with a forward look at agentic AI, robotics, and how ERP remains the foundation for future innovation.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Useful Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Cloud ERP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Us on Social Media!SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠=====Guest: Frank Ruland, Director Industries and Innovation, PwC DeutschlandFrank Ruland leads Industries and Innovation topics globally within PwC's SAP alliance organization. In this capacity he is responsible for strategic innovation topics across PwC's alliance with SAP, from Business AI, Cloud ERP and Business Data Cloud to industry differentiation. He works closely with experts across the PwC network in industries, technology, data and AI and ERP/Digital transformstion. And with other technology alliance partners in the SAP ecosystem.  Prior to joining PwC, Frank has been working with SAP directly and in various roles in consulting, product management, business development, and partner management with a special focus on industries, supply chain, and purchasing as well as M&A and alliance topics for more than 20 years. And if you want to go back further in history, Frank also worked in the automotive industry at the interface between IT and business departments.  In parallel to his corporate career, Frank subscribes to life-long learning and he received his Executive MBA degree from Mannheim Business School and ESSEC in Paris.  You can follow Frank on social media at https://de.linkedin.com/in/frankrulandHost 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Follow Richard Howell on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠=====Key Topics: ERP, enterprise resource planning, industry AI, domain specific AI, SAP, PwC, digital transformation, predictive maintenance, retail analytics, manufacturing AI, business processes, AI in ERP, enterprise AI, automation, data integration, agentic AI

SAP SCM value doesn't end at go-live. Jacob Ladson and Dmitry Antonovich share how continuous improvement, clean core, KPI governance, and agentic AI help organizations keep supply chain solutions delivering value.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== This week, LeverX's Jacob Ladson and Dmitry Antonovich join us to discuss what happens after go-live in SAP supply chain implementations. They cover operational drift, user adoption, clean core strategy, KPI governance, continuous improvement, and how agentic AI may reshape warehouse operations. Join us as we discuss the future of the supply chain! ===== Guest 1: Jacob Ladson, EWM Practice Lead, LeverXJacob Ladson is the EWM Practice Lead at LeverX, based in Houston, Texas, where he helps organizations modernize and optimize warehouse operations using SAP Extended Warehouse Management. He brings extensive experience leading warehouse transformation initiatives across implementations, enhancements, and optimization programs for complex distribution and manufacturing environments.Jacob partners with operations and IT leaders to translate business objectives into practical SAP solutions that improve throughput, labor efficiency, inventory accuracy, and operational visibility. He is known for delivering scalable, sustainable warehouse solutions that drive measurable results beyond go-live.Guest 2: Dmitry Antanovich, Solutions Director, SAP Supply Chain Management, LeverXTechnology and business leader with a strong focus on growth, strategy, and execution in SAP-driven transformation initiatives. As a Solutions Director, I lead solution strategy and customer engagement across complex SAP programs, helping organizations translate business priorities into clear technology roadmaps. I work closely with executive stakeholders, SAP teams, and partners to guide modernization efforts, moving from legacy landscapes to scalable, cloud-enabled architectures built on SAP S/4HANA and SAP BTP.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.===== Show Links:LeverX: https://leverx.com/SAP EWM Value Realization Program: https://leverx.com/services/sap-ewm-value-realization-programWarehouse Efficiency Check Up: https://leverx.com/services/warehouse-assessment Blogs: SAP EWM Optimization After Go-Live: Unlocking Hidden Warehouse Performance: https://leverx.com/newsroom/sap-ewm-optimization-after-go-live Common Post Go-Live Traps in SAP EWM: How to Move From Stable to High-Performing Warehousing: https://leverx.com/newsroom/common-post-go-live-traps-in-sap-ewmSupply Chain Management:  ⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠ ⁠SAP Insights: Supply Chain⁠       Follow Us on Social Media : Jacob Ladson: LinkedInRichard Howells: LinkedIn, SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters:00:00:00: Intro00:01:22: Guest's Introductions00:02:55: Why value stalls after go-live00:05:15: Common causes of post-implementation failure00:06:03: Why trust and knowledge transfer matter00:07:48: Keeping the system flexible as the business changes00:09:01: Why clean core and technical debt matter 00:10:40: Using new SAP tools to stay agile00:12:10: Revisit unused capabilities after go-live00:15:26: KPI governance after implementation00:17:00: Breaking down silos across supply chain teams00:18:49: Continuous improvement examples after go-live00:22:30: How can LeverX help in logistics implementations 00:23:42: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:25:53: Outro

In "The TRAFFIX Report: The Strategic Forecast for North American Freight" Joe Lynch and Alex Fuller, Sr. Director of Revenue Management & Solutions at TRAFFIX, discuss the end of the freight recession and how rising rates, nearshoring, and market volatility are reshaping North American supply chains. About Alex Fuller Alex Fuller, Sr. Director of Revenue Management & Solutions at TRAFFIX, focuses on understanding market trends and helping customers grow through customized supply chain solutions, technology, and AI integration. Passionate about supply chains and business growth, Alex earned his undergraduate degree in Supply Chain Management from BYU before beginning his career with a CPG company managing imports from China and distribution across the United States. He later completed his MBA at the University of Virginia and went on to build extensive industry experience with UPS and UPS Supply Chain Solutions prior to joining TRAFFIX. Outside of work, Alex is a former professional triathlete and recently completed the Boston Marathon, reflecting the same discipline and endurance he brings to his professional career. About TRAFFIX TRAFFIX is a leading North American 3PL that has been delivering customized supply chain solutions since 1979. With a customer-first approach, TRAFFIX partners with shippers to create flexible, scalable logistics strategies tailored to their unique business needs. The company offers a full suite of services, including truckload, flatbed, intermodal, drayage, expedited, LTL, managed transportation, and specialized government solutions. Backed by experienced logistics experts, TRAFFIX provides real-time visibility, optimized freight management, and agile solutions that help customers adapt to changing market demands. With U.S. headquarters in Chicago, IL, TRAFFIX employs more than 840 logistics professionals across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, helping businesses improve supply chain performance through customized supply chain optimization. Key Takeaways: The TRAFFIX Report: The Strategic Forecast for North American Freight In "The TRAFFIX Report: The Strategic Forecast for North American Freight" Joe Lynch and Alex Fuller, Sr. Director of Revenue Management & Solutions at TRAFFIX, discuss the end of the freight recession and how rising rates, nearshoring, and market volatility are reshaping North American supply chains. The 2026 Market Inflection: Following a brutal, multi-year freight recession post-COVID, the North American freight market has officially turned. As of mid-2026, contract rates have climbed 10% year-over-year, while spot rates have exploded by 40%. The Tariff & Pull-Ahead Wrench: Volatility in 2025 trade policies forced shippers to radically alter inventory strategies. Many pulled massive volumes ahead to beat tariffs, briefly spiking intermodal demand, before aggressively pivoting back to lean, just-in-time supply chains. Fuel Cracking the Budget Dam: Skyrocketing diesel rates in early 2026 acted as a major catalyst for rate hikes. Unlike previous years where carriers absorbed fuel spikes, tight capacity means these costs are hitting shippers directly, forcing corporate CFOs to expand logistics budgets. The Nearshoring Reality: Shorter, responsive supply chains are replacing long-distance sourcing. A massive wave of nearshoring to Mexico is underway, trading complex ocean freight for direct, highly automated cross-border trucking networks. Immediate Capacity Threats (Q2 2026): Roadside inspection events like DOT Week, combined with driver pullbacks over Memorial Day weekend, are actively squeezing summer capacity. Spot rates are projected to remain highly elevated for the next 9 to 12 months as a result of these seasonal disruptions. The Death of the Annual RFQ: High market volatility means annual freight bids are breaking down. Savvy shippers are shifting to agile 3-month and 6-month mini-bids, allowing 3PLs to price lanes accurately without adding heavy risk premiums to the rates. TRAFFIX Corporate Profile: Established in 1979, TRAFFIX is a premier North American 3PL operating across the US, Canada, and Mexico. As an asset-light partner, they leverage mid-market agility, cross-border expertise, and on-demand warehousing to protect shipper capacity in volatile cycles. Learn More About The TRAFFIX Report: The Strategic Forecast for North American Freight Alex Fuller | Linkedin TRAFFIX | Linkedin TRAFFIX | Facebook TRAFFIX | Instagram TRAFFIX | X TRAFFIX | YouTube TRAFFIX TRAFFIX Trends Q2 2026 TRAFFIX Bi-Weekly Market Update The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

Most conversations about nearshoring assume you're moving away from Chinese manufacturing. Kerim Kfuri, president and CEO of The Atlas Network, has a harder truth: a lot of "nearshoring" is just Chinese foreign direct investment building factories in Vietnam and Mexico. The geography changes. The supply chain dependencies don't necessarily change with it.In this episode, recorded live on the expo floor at the Logistics World Summit in Mexico City, Kerim breaks down what 20 years of building end-to-end supply chains for small and mid-sized businesses has taught him — and what most operators still get wrong.In this episode:How The Atlas Network manages the full supply chain lifecycle for SMBs, from product idea to inventory management, across a network of 2,000 vetted factoriesWhy "nearshoring" in Vietnam and Mexico often means Chinese-owned factories with Chinese standardization — and why that matters for your tariff and sourcing strategyThe US manufacturing reality: why technology (not policy) is the actual leveler, and why we can't snap our fingers and rebuild a workforce we stopped training decades agoKerim's keynote framework from Logistics World: people, process, and innovation — and why "people" is the most undervalued of the threeWhat Kerim (MIT degree in AI and Strategy) says you actually give up when you hand too much to AI: creativity, human factor, and the interpersonal relationships that drive real businessThe signal-versus-noise framework for entrepreneurs: how to identify the three things that must get done today and stop letting everything else winWhy the most common thing Atlas Network hears from new clients is: "I wish we knew about you sooner"A bonus live interview with the founder of Logistics World Summit, who walked up mid-recording on the expo floorWatch this episode on YoutubeLinks & Resources:The Atlas NetworkKerim's book and speaking websiteBlythe's Logistics World + Mexico City Recap -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!SPI Logistics has been a Day 1 supporter of this podcast which is why we're proud to promote them in every episode. During that time, we've gotten to know the team and their agents to confidently say they are the best home for freight agents in North America for 40 years and counting. Listen to past episodes to hear why.CargoRex is the search engine for the logistics industry—connecting LSPs with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve.Digital Dispatch maximizes and manages your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers. 

This week on Conflict Managed we welcome Shalin Desai. Together we explore: Trying to escape vs. learning the skills to navigate difficult situations Learning and practicing The Art of Living breathing What is within our control Training your mind The role of emotions at work The connection between breath and emotions Emotional regulation: how? Taking the mental “trash” out regularly Conflict Managed is available wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube @3pconflictrestoration   Shalin Desai is the Director of Programs for the Art of Living Foundation, one of the world's largest nonprofit organizations, whose initiatives have positively impacted over 500 million people across 180+ countries. With more than 25 years of experience teaching breathwork and meditation, Shalin is known for integrating ancient wisdom with modern leadership and well-being practices. He also serves as Chief Revenue Officer of Sri Sri Tattva, a global wellness brand offering natural and Ayurvedic products that promote holistic health through a blend of tradition and science. For over 15 years, Shalin has designed and delivered corporate leadership and wellness programs for organizations including Microsoft, Dell, Boston Consulting Group, Accenture, Salesforce, Eli Lilly and Company, and Merck & Co. His work helps leaders and teams manage stress, build resilience, and cultivate mental clarity while reconnecting with a deeper sense of purpose. Shalin is known for his Intuitive Life Scan, a breakthrough approach in which trained guides provide unbiased insights into an individual's current situation. A highly engaging speaker known for his relatable storytelling and humor, Shalin inspires audiences with practical techniques they can apply immediately to improve focus, leadership, and overall well-being. Shalin holds a degree in Supply Chain Management from the State University of New York and lives in Indianapolis with his wife and two children. Conflict Managed is produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services and hosted by Merry Brown.

Scott Kramer of Infios talks about intelligent supply chain execution; why visibility & optimization are key building blocks; & leveraging AI the right way.  IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:   [02.25] An introduction to Scott, his role at Infios, and his background. [03.20] An overview of Infios, who they are, and what they do. [03.50] The ethos that has informed Infios's journey with AI and new technology. "From the beginning, our solution has been based around adaptability and openness. And now, with the advent of not just AI but AMRs, that openness has allowed us to navigate these waters more easily. We're flexible in how we can operate in this environment." [05.51] Why visibility and optimization are the building blocks for AI-enhanced execution. "Visibility and optimization are still important… But when we add the agents, they can understand what's going on, prescribe solutions, and take away a lot of the heavy lifting of research and analysis." [06.41] What Infios's recent supply chain execution readiness report reveals about how leaders are thinking about execution and optimization, particularly around manual workflows. "Some workflows have been optimized, but only within their silo. They may have optimized a workflow for transportation or warehouse – but how do you connect them?" [09.14] The biggest issue in the market right now with AI understanding and adoption. "People are asking us: "What are you doing right now with AI?" And that's the wrong question." [11.15] Where Scott sees companies on the reactive vs proactive scale right now, why mindset is still a limiting factor, and how visibility is changing. "People are still thinking in the ways they've traditionally solved problems. They're thinking about automating a single task; they're not thinking about connecting the dots together." [13.25] How leaders are thinking about the future of technology. "The art of what's possible has changed." [15.03] Why many AI pilots still aren't getting off the ground, and how we can actually create value from AI investments. "I've seen all too often: 'I have a great technology, now let me go and search for a problem.' We really need to start with the problem, then define the technology. AI is an amazing tool, when leveraged correctly." [18.13] What intelligent, connected execution should actually look like. [20.54] Training AI slowly, how bias is holding us back, and discovering what's really possible with AI. [22.53] The benefits to teams and businesses when they achieve intelligent, connected execution. [24.18] The small steps teams can take now to position for success. "Don't think of it as an LMS problem, WMS problem or TMS problem. Ultimately, it's a customer problem." RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:   Head over to Infios' website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Infios and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or YouTube, or you can connect with Scott on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Infios, check out 520: Enter the New Era of Supply Chain Management, with Infios or 532: Turning Purposeful AI into Business Outcomes, with Infios. Check out our other podcasts HERE.

The deepening crisis in the South African police force has seen generals toppled either through suspension or arrest. In this interview with Chris Steyn, Action Society's Juanita du Preez comments on the suspensions of the National Commissioner, the Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner, and the Head of Supply Chain Management, as well as the arrests of the Gauteng Head of the Hawks and a Crime Intelligence boss - all following the Minister of Police being placed on special leave, and a deputy national commissioner being suspended. Other arrests include an MP and member of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police as well as a former African National Congress fixer. Du Preez also details the battle to get child rapists held to account as Action Society launched a national campaign for the release of the Sex Offenders Register as well as a PAIA application into failed prosecutions of cases involving very young children. Speaking from court today, Du Preez describes the despicable court rooom behaviour of accused Stephan Pretorius who is on trial for setting alight his estranged wife, Charlene, in front of their teenage daughter, causing her death.

In this episode of the Supply Chain Careers podcast, we speak with Rob Handfield, the Bank of America University Distinguished Professor of Supply Chain Management at North Carolina State University and the Executive Director of the Supply Chain Resource Cooperative. Widely regarded as one of the leading voices in global supply chain management, Rob has published more than 150 peer-reviewed journal articles and has been featured in major media outlets including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, CNN, NPR, and the Financial Times. During our conversation, Rob shares his insights from more than 35 years in the field, including why relationships, humility, and operational experience remain essential leadership traits even as AI and advanced analytics reshape the profession. We also explore supply chain resilience, the growing gap between technical and soft skills, and what future leaders must do to build successful careers in an increasingly volatile global environment.Need help hiring top talent? Engage SCM Talent Group, a supply chain recruiting & executive search firm that specializes in your hiring needs:Continuous ImprovementEngineeringInventory PlanningLogistics & TransportationManufacturingOperationsRoboticsSales & Business DevelopmentS&OPStrategic Sourcing & ProcurementSupply Chain ManagementTechnology & AutomationWarehousing

In this episode, host Dawn Tiura sits down with Gautam Pasari, Founder and CEO of True ValueHub, to explore how his 20+ years in manufacturing and supply chain led him to build a platform that gives procurement teams unprecedented visibility into cost, risk, and carbon — all in one place. Gautam shares how True Value Hub won SIG's inaugural Startup Pitch Competition in 2024, generating over 150 inbound leads in 30 days, and how the company has nearly doubled in size every four to six months since. The conversation also touches on navigating today's tariff volatility, the collapse of the traditional sourcing cycle, and why carbon is quickly becoming a bottom-line issue for manufacturers worldwide.

In this episode, SAP's David Vallejo discusses whether AI will replace or redefine supply chain jobs, and explains how assistants, agents, trust, and reskilling will shape a more strategic future for the workforce.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== SAP's David Vallejo joins us to explore one of supply chain's biggest questions: will AI replace jobs or redefine them? The conversation covers practical AI use cases, the role of assistants and agents, how to build trust, why reskilling matters, and which KPIs prove business value. ===== Guest: David Vallejo, Vice President, Head of SCM Innovations Product Marketing, SAPHis global organization leads strategy and growth initiatives for SAP's SCM portfolio which encompasses solutions for product lifecycle management, manufacturing, planning, logistics, assets and service management as well as the Business Network. The suite of AI-first solutions enable customers to orchestrate their supply chain with confidence to become risk-resilient, adaptable, and sustainable in their supply chain operations.David joined SAP in 2014 and has held various leadership positions before attaining his current role. During David's tenure he drove the successful launch of SAP's Supply Chain Business Network focusing on direct materials collaboration across the extended supply chain and driving the customer co-innovation program as product owner for SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP).Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.   She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  ===== Show Links:Supply Chain Management:  SAP Supply Chain Management SAP Insights: Supply Chain       Follow Us on Social Media : David Vallejo: LinkedInRichard Howells: LinkedIn, Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn      SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters: 00:00:00: Intro00:01:18: Guest introduction00:01:54: Will AI replace supply chain jobs?00:06:05: Where AI will have the first impact00:10:01: Building trust and adoption in teams00:13:58: Assistants, copilots, and job design00:19:02: Best early use cases for agents00:22:52: Reskilling supply chain organizations00:26:28: KPIs that prove AI value00:29:00 What's the future of the supply chain?00:31:10: Outro

What does it take to keep a refinery running when the world won't stop throwing curveballs?In this episode, Ted Stank and guest co-host Lance Saunders speak with Tom Johnson, VP of procurement at HF Sinclair, an independent petroleum refiner with operations throughout the mid-continent, southwestern and Rocky Mountain regions. Recorded live at the Supply Chain Forum, the conversation pulled back the curtain on one of the more essential and misunderstood industries in the global economy. Among the topics discussed were why surety of supply—not cost—is the 3 a.m. concern keeping procurement leaders awake, and how the Strait of Hormuz closure and ongoing geopolitical volatility are rippling through petrochemical supply chains in ways consumers never see. Johnson also discussed the crude oil import-export paradox and how refinery infrastructure dictates crude "diets," the rise of data analytics as a seat at the operations table, how tariffs stress-tested supplier relationships and exposed the limits of sub-tier supply chain visibility, and what the skilled trades shortage means for heavy industrial operations.Johnson is a UT Knoxville SCM alum who has spent his entire career in oil and gas, previously holding roles at Valero and Holly Frontier. He oversees a procurement organization of approximately 100 professionals managing roughly $2 billion in annual spend, including labor, plant inventory, and category management.The episode was recorded live at the Supply Chain Forum on April 22, 2026.Related links:Save the date for the Fall Supply Chain Forum, Nov. 10–12Download free white papers from UT expertsBecome a GSCI partner to learn, network, and recruit with the top supply chain education institution in North America Join the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative to explore advanced concepts in SCM with top industry experts and scholars  Follow GSCI on LinkedIn  Subscribe to GSCI's monthly newsletter   Read the latest news and insights from GSCI Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

Logistics used to be about keeping costs down; today, it's about surviving the next disruption. We're unpacking how to break free from aging legacy systems, when to play it safe versus leapfrog to the cloud, and what the future of logistics looks like.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠===== SAP's Till Dengel joins Richard Howells and Oyku Ilgar to discuss the shift from legacy logistics systems to cloud-based solutions. He outlines SAP's logistics modernization paths, explains how companies can assess complexity and risk, and shares his view on the future of supply chain as cloud-first, AI-enabled, and network-driven. ===== Guest: Till Dengel, VP Product Marketing Logistics, Assets and Service Management at SAP SETill Dengel oversees global market research, thought leadership, commercial strategy, positioning, messaging, and communications for SAP's Digital Logistics and Asset/Service Management portfolio. As an accomplished speaker in this domain, he offers a comprehensive perspective on market dynamics and the latest industry trends.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.   She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  ===== Show Links:Curious about your migration options? Check this out: 3 Journeys That Redefine Your Logistics in a Disruptive World  Supply Chain Management:  ⁠SAP Supply Chain Management⁠ Follow Us on Social Media : Richard Howells: LinkedIn, SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn   Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes! 

Join the conversation with Under Armour's cybersecurity expert Gaurav Singh to dive deeper into cyber endurance. Learn zero-trust strategies to secure your cloud ERP and stay agile in API-driven systems.=====This Future of ERP podcast episode explores cybersecurity resilience in ERP systems, emphasizing endurance and agility to protect brands and supply chains. It highlights the shift from on-premises as a "black box" to cloud-first, API-driven environments that demand new security approaches. Zero trust architecture emerges as essential for securing modern ERP, given its openness to external threats. Daily security practices, like layered defenses, parallel athletic endurance to stay ahead of evolving cyber adversaries. Operational challenges include balancing availability with patching, prioritizing business continuity over rigid security timelines. Policies, standards, and controls form the foundation, supported by people, processes, and technology to safeguard sensitive data. A performance mindset fosters resilience through regular testing of business continuity and disaster recovery plans. Strong cybersecurity shifts from a cost center to a business enabler by partnering with teams rather than blocking initiatives. The future of ERP is predicted to be API-first, hybrid, and AI-integrated, heightening the need for proactive identity management. Overall, the discussion calls for continuous learning to keep pace with threats in this dynamic landscape.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Useful Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Cloud ERP⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Us on Social Media!SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠=====Guest: Gaurav Singh, Cyber Security Leader at Under ArmourGaurav Singh is an SAP cybersecurity manager at Under Armour with more than 19 years of experience and a proven track record of helping organizations protect themselves from cyber threats while maximizing their SAP investments. In addition to his cybersecurity leadership role, Gaurav is an accomplished speaker and published author. He has presented at the SAP conference's cybersecurity track, been featured in international journals, and been recognized as an SAP Insider Expert. Gaurav's expertise spans the entire spectrum of SAP security, including identity and access controls; governance, risk, and compliance; vulnerability management; threat management; incident response; and backup and disaster recovery. He is passionate about going beyond traditional SAP security to implement true cybersecurity, covering all aspects of SAP's secure operations map, from infrastructure to cloud security.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Follow Richard Howell on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠=====Key Topics: cybersecurity, ERP, SAP, zero trust, cloud, endurance, agility.

This week, we welcomed Sachin Vijayan from Westernacher, who explained how AI, agents, and real-time sensing are driving the shift toward self-healing supply chains and why humans will remain accountable.Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠=====  In this episode, Sachin Vijayan of Westernacher joins us to discuss the rise of the self-healing supply chain. We explore how AI agents, sensing, automation, and real-time data can help supply chains respond to disruptions more quickly, while humans remain accountable for key decisions. ===== Guest: Sachin Vijayan, Global Planning Lead, Westernacher Consulting   Sachin Vijayan is an experienced supply chain transformation leader currently serving as the Global Planning Lead at Westernacher Consulting. With over a decade of experience in solutions architecture and consulting, he specializes in Digital Business Transformation, Integrated Business Planning (IBP), and Demand Planning across diverse global industries.Throughout his tenure at Westernacher, Sachin has held several key leadership positions, including the EU Regional Practice Lead and Solution Architect. He is recognized for his ability to bridge the gap between complex business requirements and robust technical models, driving operational excellence and high-quality client delivery.Sachin is known for his strategic approach to supply chain planning, helping organizations navigate modern market complexities through digital innovation and process optimization.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAP  Oyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.   She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.  ===== Show Links:What if your supply chain could heal itself? Read the article Supply Chain Management:  SAP Supply Chain Management SAP Insights: Supply Chain       Follow Us on Social Media : Sachin Vijayan: LinkedInRichard Howells: LinkedIn, Oyku Ilgar: LinkedIn      SAP Digital Supply Chain: LinkedIn    Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters: 00:00:00: Intro00:01:07: Guest Introductions00:01:44: What does “self-healing supply chain” mean in practice00:04:37: Core capabilities needed before a supply chain can self-heal00:07:50: The role of AI in enabling self-healing operations00:12:27: How humans and AI should work together00:17:33: What the planner of the future will do differently00:22:12: Where self-healing is already happening today00:26:17: What is the Future of Supply Chain?00:27:20: Outro

Send us Fan MailAaron (Phu) Luong was born in Hong Kong under British rule and immigrated to the United States at a young age. He grew up in Rosemead and Monterey Park, later attending San Gabriel High School, where he balanced academics, extracurriculars, and Taekwondo, earning his black belt in his sophomore year. He went on to graduate with a double major in Business Management and Supply Chain Management. Today, he owns and operates Aloha Food Factory in Alhambra, a 30-year Hawaiian restaurant originally founded by Auntie Betty.In this episode, Aaron shares his experiences growing up in a traditional immigrant household, navigating bullying, and finding structure through training and discipline. He talks about setbacks during his school years, his time in Taekwondo, and the path that led him through college and into the workforce. The conversation also covers pivotal moments in adulthood, including legal challenges, personal struggles, and the shift toward personal growth. Aaron also discusses taking over Aloha Food Factory during the pandemic and the operational challenges he faced, from redevelopment threats to infrastructure issues.This episode offers insight into the realities of growing up in the San Gabriel Valley while navigating identity, responsibility, and resilience. For SGV viewers, it highlights the story behind a longstanding local restaurant and the effort required to sustain it. For listeners interested in personal development, discipline, and entrepreneurship, Aaron's experiences provide a grounded perspective shaped by real events and decisions.If you enjoy stories rooted in the San Gabriel Valley and conversations about growth and accountability, subscribe for more episodes and share this with someone who would connect with Aaron's journey._______________Music CreditsIntroEuphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OGStingerScarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio LibraryOutroEuphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG__________________My SGV Podcast:Website: www.mysgv.netNewsletter: Beyond the MicPatreon: MySGV Podcastinfo@sgvmasterkey.com

Lisa Israelovitch, Co-Founder and CEO of AssistIQ, is addressing the challenges in healthcare supply chain management caused by a lack of accurate data on supplies used across the care facility, which leads to operational inefficiencies and financial losses. The previous methods of tracking have often been manual and unreliable, involving product stickers, barcode readers, and manual data entry.  Using computer vision and AI to automatically see, track, and document every product used is improving data accuracy, saving clinicians' time, enabling inventory tracking and product expiration management, and delivering significant financial benefits. Lisa explains, "What really took us from building this inside one hospital to a market solution was spending time across dozens of systems in the US and Canadian landscape. And we found that three things were predominantly happening. Either there was a lot of manual entry searching and typing into the electronic health record system, such as Epic, or others. Often, barcode scanners worked only a portion of the time when the product was in the hospital's ERP system, but they often weren't. And so the barcode scanners only worked for a portion of the time. And then, honestly, the thing we saw a bunch of was nurses with product stickers on their sleeves, and they would basically post those stickers on paper. And so it was really a combination of waste to try to get to that documentation."   "So everything from implants to staplers to glue and things are typically hundreds to thousands of dollars. And just the accuracy was simply not there. In most hospital operating rooms, it's a huge revenue center in US hospitals, but for all markets, it's a huge cost center in terms of just the supply chain in general across the system, which is the largest cost category that the health team has after wages from their labor. And the OR, it's often the leading cost factor. So the supplies can be pretty expensive, as you said." "The key became really figuring out how we could automate that work so that the clinicians, the nurses, the technicians were truly focused on the patient. Focused on assisting the physician for the case and making sure that they weren't having to do any of this extra sort of administrative work. Ultimately, it is their responsibility to document what gets used, but it has to be much more automated to get to that level of data accuracy and quality." #AssistIQ #HealthcareAI #ClinicalSupplyIntelligence #HealthTech #HospitalOperations#SurgicalIntelligence #SupplyChainInnovation #HealthcareSupplyChain #HealthTech #PatientSafety #DigitalTransformation #HealthcareInnovation #AI #ComputerVision #OperatingRoom #HealthcareLeadership #QualityImprovement #CostReduction AssistIQ.ai Download the transcript here

Lisa Israelovitch, Co-Founder and CEO of AssistIQ, is addressing the challenges in healthcare supply chain management caused by a lack of accurate data on supplies used across the care facility, which leads to operational inefficiencies and financial losses. The previous methods of tracking have often been manual and unreliable, involving product stickers, barcode readers, and manual data entry.  Using computer vision and AI to automatically see, track, and document every product used is improving data accuracy, saving clinicians' time, enabling inventory tracking and product expiration management, and delivering significant financial benefits. Lisa explains, "What really took us from building this inside one hospital to a market solution was spending time across dozens of systems in the US and Canadian landscape. And we found that three things were predominantly happening. Either there was a lot of manual entry searching and typing into the electronic health record system, such as Epic, or others. Often, barcode scanners worked only a portion of the time when the product was in the hospital's ERP system, but they often weren't. And so the barcode scanners only worked for a portion of the time. And then, honestly, the thing we saw a bunch of was nurses with product stickers on their sleeves, and they would basically post those stickers on paper. And so it was really a combination of waste to try to get to that documentation."   "So everything from implants to staplers to glue and things are typically hundreds to thousands of dollars. And just the accuracy was simply not there. In most hospital operating rooms, it's a huge revenue center in US hospitals, but for all markets, it's a huge cost center in terms of just the supply chain in general across the system, which is the largest cost category that the health team has after wages from their labor. And the OR, it's often the leading cost factor. So the supplies can be pretty expensive, as you said." "The key became really figuring out how we could automate that work so that the clinicians, the nurses, the technicians were truly focused on the patient. Focused on assisting the physician for the case and making sure that they weren't having to do any of this extra sort of administrative work. Ultimately, it is their responsibility to document what gets used, but it has to be much more automated to get to that level of data accuracy and quality." #AssistIQ #HealthcareAI #ClinicalSupplyIntelligence #HealthTech #HospitalOperations#SurgicalIntelligence #SupplyChainInnovation #HealthcareSupplyChain #HealthTech #PatientSafety #DigitalTransformation #HealthcareInnovation #AI #ComputerVision #OperatingRoom #HealthcareLeadership #QualityImprovement #CostReduction AssistIQ.ai Listen to the podcast here

Check out the TIES Sales Showdown at www.tx.ag/TIES Visit The Sales Lab at https://thesaleslab.org and check out all our guests' recommended readings at https://thesaleslab.org/reading-list To listen to The Sales Lab Podcast on your favorite apps, visit https://thesaleslab.simplecast.com/ and select your preferred method of listening. Connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/saleslabpodcast Connect with us on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesaleslab Subscribe to The Sales Lab channel on YouTube at  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp703YWbD3-KO73NXUTBI-Q

In this episode, Donna and Tom sit down with Brad Rogers, Supply Chain Planning Director at PepsiCo, to discuss his leadership of the Supply Chain Command Center, the transformative role of AI in supply chain operations, and his passion for mentoring the next generation of supply chain professionals. Brad shares insights from his 17+ years at PepsiCo, explaining how predictive risk assessment tools proactively mitigate disruptions and safeguard service levels. He emphasizes the importance of networking as a strategic skill and offers wisdom on career development, encouraging students to focus on becoming the best version of themselves rather than just listing achievements. Takeaways: The role of PepsiCo's Supply Chain Command Center in crisis management and network visibility How AI and predictive analytics are revolutionizing supply chain planning Brad's doctoral research on Agentic AI and how autonomous agents could revolutionize supply chain decision-making Networking as a strategic toolkit for students and recent graduates Stay connected with CSCR on LinkedIn (Center for Supply Chain Research) and Instagram (@pennstatesupplychain), and be sure to follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you are tuning into Unpacked: Insights hosted by the Penn State Smeal Center for Supply Chain Research™. Thank you for joining us!  Visit our website: https://www.smeal.psu.edu/cscr  Guest Bio: Brad Rogers is a supply chain executive with over 17 years of Fortune 50 experience, specializing in network strategy, risk management, and business continuity. Currently serving as a Supply Chain Planning Director at PepsiCo, Brad leads the Supply Chain Command Center for PBNA North Division. The department oversees end-to-end network visibility and orchestrated crisis management for PepsiCo Beverages North America. In this role, he pioneered the use of predictive risk assessment tools to proactively mitigate supply disruptions and safeguard service levels during peak demand periods.  Previously, Brad served as Senior Manager of Network Strategy, where he steered a multibillion-dollar supply chain redesign initiative aimed at consolidating nodes and increasing resilience across the U.S. network. His strategic approach is grounded in deep operational experience; he has successfully turned around underperforming distribution centers, managed complex manufacturing co-op partnerships, and led Lean Six Sigma initiatives that drove double-digit improvements in efficiency and cost savings.  A proud member of the Nittany Lion community, Brad holds an MBA in Supply Chain Management from Penn State and actively mentors incoming students in the program. He is currently bridging the gap between industry and academia as a DBA candidate at Fairfield University. His doctoral research focuses on the emergence of "Agentic AI", investigating how autonomous AI agents can be implemented to enhance supply chain planning and decision-making resilience.   

Can your ERP really be compliant if you only look at one system at a time? In this episode with Infosys, we explore how cross-system risks, dynamic access decisions, and integrated governance are reshaping segregation of duties in hybrid ERP landscapes.=====The future of ERP is no longer just about moving systems to the cloud, it's about how businesses manage risk in an increasingly connected, automated, and hybrid world. In our latest episode, we sit down with Nishad Showkath from Infosys to unpack why segregation of duties needs a rethink when business processes stretch across on-premise systems, cloud applications, APIs, and automated workflows. Traditional SoD was built for a simpler era, but today's ERP landscape is far more complex, and risks don't always stay inside one system.What does that mean in practice? It means organizations can no longer rely on system-by-system compliance checks and assume the full process is secure. A user may create something in one platform, approve it in another, and complete the workflow somewhere else entirely, creating hidden cross-system risks that older approaches miss. Nishad shares why identity silos, fragmented risk libraries, and disconnected provisioning tools make this challenge even harder, and what companies need to do to build a more complete view of access and control.We also talk about what comes next: dynamic access decisions, automated risk analysis, continuous monitoring, and integrated governance that can follow the business process instead of just the individual application. Nishad explains how AI, machine learning, and identity access management tools are shaping the next phase of SoD, and why the future of ERP security will depend on treating enterprise risk as one connected ecosystem rather than a set of isolated systems.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Useful Links: ⁠⁠⁠SAP Cloud ERP⁠⁠⁠Follow Us on Social Media!SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠=====Guest: Nishad Showkath, Senior Principal Consultant, Infosys ConsultingNishad is a Senior Security/GRC architect with overall 20+ years of experience in SAP Security, GRC access control, Process Control, SAP ITGC & Compliance Assurance. He specializes in Authorization design, configuration, and implementation of solutions in the SAP Authorization & GRC area to help customers in their digital transformation journeys and build robust, secure authorization concepts in SAP applications.Nishad's LinkedInHost 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Follow Richard Howell on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Host 2: Oyku Ilgar, SAPOyku Ilgar is a marketer and thought leader specializing in SAP's digital supply chain and ERP solutions since 2017. As a marketer, blogger, and podcaster, she creates engaging content that highlights innovative SAP technologies and explores key topics including business trends, AI, Industry 4.0, and sustainability.She holds dual bachelor's degrees in Finance & Accounting and English Translation, along with a master's degree in Business Administration and Foreign Trade, specializing in marketing. With her background in digital transformation, Oyku communicates technology trends and industry insights to help professionals navigate the evolving business landscape.Oyku's ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠SAP Community⁠⁠⁠=====Key Topics: Segregation of duties, Future of ERP, Cross-system risk, Hybrid ERP, SAP Security, GRC, Identity access management, Automated risk analysis, Continuous monitoring, Integrated governance.

Discover industrial AI at Hannover Messe with SAP's Matthias Deindl, covering embodied AI, productivity-boosting agents, and demos like ginger-shot packaging, digital twins, warehouse robots and partner integrations. Download the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠===== This episode explores industrial AI at Hannover Messe (20–24 April) with SAP's Matthias Deindl. Key topics include embodied AI (robots in production, logistics, asset management) and AI agents that enhance productivity and reduce errors. The SAP booth at HMI features a ginger-shot packaging demonstrator, digital twins, humanoid warehouse handling, CNC machining, and partner integrations. Matthias emphasises the importance of accurate, timely data, using SAP Business Data Cloud to enable autonomous tasks like AI-assisted tendering and robot-led inspections. The SAP booth at HMI features a ginger-shot packaging demonstrator, digital twins, humanoid warehouse handling, CNC machining, and partner integrations. The episode envisions seamless disturbance response, improved productivity for an ageing workforce, and stronger human–AI collaboration.  ===== Guest: Matthias DeindlMatthias Deindl is a digital transformation leader focused on discrete industries and supply chains, with more than 17 years of leadership in dynamic, cross-functional environments. At SAP, he currently leads end-to-end product management for Discrete Industries. Previously, he headed supply chain management initiatives across the global SAP Experience Centers network and oversaw the SAP S.Factory Walldorf, helping customers in process and discrete industries accelerate their digital transformation. Before joining SAP, Matthias served as a Group Leader and Product Owner in a corporate IoT startup at Bosch and worked as an Innovation Manager in Corporate Logistics. Earlier in his career, he was a Project Lead and Head of Department in R&D at RWTH Aachen. He has collaborated with customers across automotive, aviation, pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering, and logistics. Matthias holds a Diplom in industrial engineering from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from RWTH Aachen.Host 1: Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Howells⁠⁠⁠⁠ has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Host 2: Sin ToSin brings over 15 years of experience in the digital media and technology industry – primarily in marketing, business development, thought leadership, and editorial. At SAP, they ensure that SAP's supply chain solutions are properly visible with a focus on future trends and sustainable innovations as part of the Thought Leadership & Awareness Supply Chain Team.===== Show Links:SAP Digital Supply Chain: www.sap.com/scm Visit us at Hannover Messe (HMI): Hall 15, Booth F08Follow Us on Social Media : Matthias Deindl:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdeindl/   Richard Howells:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richardjhowells Sin To: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sin-to-5334208 SAP Digital Supply Chain:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/sapdsc/ Please give us a like, share, and subscribe to stay up-to-date on future episodes!  ===== Chapters: 00:00:00 Vision for AI Supply Chains00:01:51 Meet Matthias and Industrial AI Today00:02:14 Two AI Tracks Robots and Assistants00:03:30 Data Foundations and Business Data Cloud00:05:04 Deployment Challenges and Quick Win Use Cases00:06:46 Embodied AI Inspection Robots00:09:51 Resilience Roadmap Transparency to Agents00:12:25 Human Machine Collaboration at the SAP Booth00:15:41 Ecosystems and Partner Integration00:19:17 Closing and How to Find SAP at Hannover Messe

Motheo Khoaripe speaks to Dr Ernst van Biljon, Head Lecturer in Supply Chain Management at the IMM Graduate School, about how the escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz are exposing deeper structural weaknesses in South Africa’s logistics system, where a heavy reliance on diesel-powered road freight is amplifying both cost pressures and operational disruptions across the supply chain. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape.    Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa     Follow us on social media   702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702   CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are future supply chain leaders paying attention to right now?In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton is joined by Julie Niederhoff, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management and Department Chair of Marketing, Retail and Supply Chain Management at Syracuse University, alongside standout students Odette Sherk, Katherine Foley, Makayla Amatuegwu, and David Patterson. Together, they explore how today's students are discovering supply chain as a dynamic career path that blends strategy, sustainability, and real-world problem solving.The conversation highlights how hands-on experiences, from study abroad programs to industry internships, are helping students connect classroom learning to global challenges. Topics like sustainability transparency, rail transportation, globalization shifts, and ethical sourcing take center stage as each student shares what excites them most about the industry. Their perspectives reveal a generation that is not only career-focused but deeply motivated to create meaningful change.Julie also shares insights into how Syracuse's program develops well-rounded leaders by combining academic rigor with experiential learning. This episode offers a glimpse of how the next generation is approaching the field of supply chain with curiosity, adaptability, and a strong sense of purpose.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(01:42) Syracuse supply chain program overview(02:21) Meet the student panel and professor(06:31) Student backgrounds and personal interests(34:33) Sustainability challenges in mining(36:35) Interest in healthcare distribution and logistics(39:51) Career goals in consulting and sustainability(41:46) Procurement, fashion, and ethical sourcing(45:50) Program impact and student experiencesAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Julie Niederhoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieniederhoff/Connect with Odette Sherk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/odettesherk/Connect with Katherine Foley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-g-foleyConnect with Makayla Amatuegwu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/makayla-amatuegwu/Connect with David Patterson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-patterson13Learn more about Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management: https://whitman.syracuse.eduLearn more about WISE by The University of Arkansas: https://walton.uark.edu/departments/supplychain/wise.phpLearn more about our hosts: https://supplychainnow.com/aboutLearn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now's NEW Media Kit: https://supplychainnow.com/media-kit/Supply Chain Now en Espanol WEBINAR- Visibilidad estrategica en Pharma: control, cumplimiento y resiliencia en entornos de alto riesgo: https://bit.ly/4rku7lCWEBINAR- Talent Management Playbook for Supply Chain Leaders: https://bit.ly/4uc2OfBWEBINAR- From Workforce Planning to Hourly Performance Management: How GEODIS Americas Turned Labor Productivity into a Growth Engine: https://bit.ly/4blRfKpWEBINAR- Ahead of Disruption: How AI-First Design Builds Supply Chain Resilience — and Transforms the Teams Behind It: https://bit.ly/4ldRn3bThis episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Trisha Codes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit the dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/now-generation-future-supply-chain-orange-1568

Explore how tax management is evolving through technology and strategic innovation to become a key driver of business efficiency and insight.=====Join Michael Bernard from Vertex as he unpacks the latest SAP Insider Benchmark Research on global tax management, revealing how tax departments navigate a rapidly changing landscape. From complex regulatory environments, such as fragmented e-invoicing standards in Europe, to critical pain points like automating tax control frameworks, this episode offers a rich exploration of what's top of mind for CFOs and CIOs. Learn how granular tax data is becoming a strategic asset for sales and marketing, the growing role of managed services amidst workforce shortages, and why the adoption of AI-driven tax automation is still in early stages despite its promising potential. Michael shares memorable stats, including the impact of retirements on CPA talent pools and strategies companies use to overcome compliance time constraints. Perfect for business leaders seeking practical insights on optimizing ERP environments for tax operations with future-ready technology. Listen, learn, and lead the transformation today.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Useful Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠SAP Cloud ERP⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Us on Social Media!SAP S/4HANA Cloud ERP: ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠=====Guest: Michael Bernard, Chief Tax Officer of Transaction Tax at VertexMichael Bernard is the Chief Tax Officer of Transaction Tax. In his role, he provides insight and thought leadership around tax department operations, U.S. indirect tax, tax risk management, and tax policy, as well as emerging tax trends. He is also responsible for influencing emerging technologies which meet the continuing regulatory changes of the corporate tax community. He is an executive-level tax attorney with a diverse portfolio of experience in corporate tax, administration, and finance, including a substantive knowledge of U.S. and international tax laws. Prior to joining Vertex, Michael was in various tax leadership roles at Microsoft Corporation for 28 years, the most recent being General Manager & U.S. Tax Counsel. He led teams in the following functional areas: direct and indirect tax controversy, sales and use, business license, property, tax IT, SOX, and telecommunications. He also co-led a corporate taxpayer advocacy group with the Washington Department of Revenue and was a Director on the Board of the Washington Research Council. He has also testified before administrative and lawmakers at both the federal and state level. Michael earned both a J.D. and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Creighton University. He is a part-time lecturer of Law in the LLM program at the University of Washington School of Law. He also served on the board of directors, executive committee, and chaired committees for The Tax Executives Institute (TEI) for nearly 25 years.Host 1: Richard Howells, SAPRichard Howells has been working in the Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing space for over 30 years. He is responsible for driving the thought leadership and awareness of SAP's ERP, Finance, and Supply Chain solutions and is an active writer, podcaster, and thought leader on the topics of supply chain, Industry 4.0, digitization, and sustainability.Follow Richard Howell on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠=====Key Topics: Tax management, ERP, Tax control framework, Automation, Regulatory compliance, Managed services, Workforce skill gap, AI adoption, E-invoicing, Tax analytics

Most people see a Ryder truck on the highway and think "trucking company." That's not wrong — but it's missing 100 million square feet of warehouse space and 2,000 autonomous robots.Gary Allen is the VP of Supply Chain Excellence at Ryder, and he stopped by the Everything is Logistics podcast booth at Manifest to talk tech selection, the build vs. buy debate, and what it actually takes to navigate a market with thousands of freight tech vendors when you're operating at this scale.Spoiler: it takes a team of 90 data engineers, a VC fund, and a willingness to evaluate 400+ companies before you commit to anything.——————————————IN THIS EPISODE——————————————□ Why asset ownership doesn't change the fundamental tech questions you need to answer first□ How Ryder evaluated 400+ warehouse automation companies in 3 years (and what makes the cut)□ Why Ryder runs ~30 different WMS systems across its network — and why that's a problem they're actively solving□ The Baton acquisition, Ryder Ventures VC fund, and why they decided to build what the market couldn't provide□ The "product mindset vs. project mindset" shift that changes everything about how you deploy tech□ Agentic AI real talk: what's actually working (call centers, document extraction, labor planning) vs. what's still early□ The warehouse automation ladder: AMRs → autonomous forklifts → storage/retrieval systems → humanoids□ What the timeline on lights-out warehouses might actually look likeWatch this episode on YouTube——————————————LINKS & RESOURCES——————————————□ Connect with Gary Allen on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/grallen1/□ Learn more about Ryder: ryder.com□ Ryder Ventures: https://www.ryder.com/en-us/ryderventuresPrevious Ryder episodes: □ VP of Supply Chain Ops Kristy Killingbeck□ Baton's Nate RobertFeedback? Ideas for a future episode? Shoot us a text here to let us know. -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!SPI Logistics has been a Day 1 supporter of this podcast which is why we're proud to promote them in every episode. During that time, we've gotten to know the team and their agents to confidently say they are the best home for freight agents in North America for 40 years and counting. Listen to past episodes to hear why.CargoRex is the search engine for the logistics industry—connecting LSPs with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve.Digital Dispatch maximizes and manages your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers. 

Forecasting has been blamed for supply chain problems for decades. But what if the real issue isn't the forecast itself? In this episode, Tom Goldsby and Scott DeGroot speak with Mike Burnette, Lance Saunders, and Dan Pellathy about new research from the University of Tennessee's Global Supply Chain Institute examining why forecast-driven planning continues to fall short and how leading companies are redesigning their planning processes to be more agile and responsive. The conversation explored how many organizations still rely on one-size-fits-all planning models, why improving forecast accuracy alone rarely fixes service and inventory problems, and how leading-edge companies are segmenting demand, using different demand triggers, and building capability in the supply chain instead of buffering uncertainty with excess inventory. The group also discussed planning agility, the limits of traditional ERP-based approaches, and the behavioral challenges that prevent companies from fully using advanced planning systems. Burnette, Pellathy, and Saunders's research was conducted alongside GSCI participating in the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative. Their work led to the forthcoming white paper Love to Hate the Forecast, which will be released at the Supply Chain Forum, April 21–23. The episode was recorded virtually on March 10, 2026.Related links:Read Mike Burnette's two-part blog series on the cultural roots of forecasting failures and shifting to a right-to-left planning modelDownload free white papers from UT expertsSave the date for the Spring Supply Chain Forum, April 21–23  Join the Advanced Supply Chain Collaborative to explore advanced concepts in SCM with top industry experts and scholars  Become a GSCI partner  Follow GSCI on LinkedIn  Subscribe to GSCI's monthly newsletter   Read the latest news and insights from GSCI Text the Tennessee on Supply Chain Management team!

Aadil Kazmi of Infios talks about purposeful innovation; intelligent execution; tech readiness; and turning AI into measurable business outcomes. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: [02.14] An introduction to Aadil, and an overview of Infios. "Supply chains run best when operators can execute them on a single stack." [03.20] How Aadil's experience at Amazon sparked an entrepreneurial journey that ultimately led him to Infios. "When retailers and shippers offered faster shipping to their end customers, cart values and repeat rates went through the roof. That led me deep into supply chain..." [05.17] Aadil's focus in his role as Head of AI, what excites him, and what keeps him up at night. "We're using our own tools internally to produce what our customers will eventually use." [08.32] What purposeful innovation means to Infios, and the big unlock that happened three years ago that changed the game for AI. "We partner with customers to develop only use case driven AI workflows." "Purposeful innovation is looking at what workflows within our business depend on unstructured data and reasoning, and focusing on those for AI automation... Not everything is a fit for Gen AI." [12.08] What AI agents mean in the context of supply chain, how they're being used now, and how we can understand automation through a three-level phased framework. [15.31] How AI agents compare to traditional automation, and how businesses can decide which is the right fit for each challenge or workflow. "When companies embark on their automation journey, they should start with the highest leverage ROI workflows that have the lowest risk factor." [19.15] The challenge of organizational debt, and leaning into AI readiness by connecting people's tribal knowledge to contextualize AI decision-making. [21.41] How Infios are meeting customers where they are to overcome technology debt with intelligent orchestration. [24.55] What Aadil's Executive Roundtable at Manifest uncovered about intelligent supply chain, and how to get the most from AI adoption. "You can't just throw AI at a problem… The best way to adopt AI is to actually pull the workflow and, from a first principles perspective, re-engineer it from the ground up to be AI native." [28.31] Why technology readiness is still a big constraint on connected execution, and why AI ambition is yet to meet execution reality. [29.23] How businesses can move toward intelligent connected supply chain execution to turn purposeful AI into business outcomes, and how to measure success. [33.17] What teams should do now as they plan for the year ahead.   RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED: Head over to Infios' website now to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Infios and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn or YouTube, or you can connect with Aadil on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more from Infios, check out 520: Enter the New Era of Supply Chain Management, with Infios. Check out our other podcasts HERE.  

Follow the food! Supply Chain Management coordinates sourcing, manufacturing and delivering food to the customer. Arizona Farm Bureau's Julie Murphree says Arizona's farming climate contributes to that supply chain in a big way. She joins Romey discussing all that goes into food getting from farm to table. You'll likely be surprised the return farmers make on making your food. Broadcast archive page with expanded content https://rosieonthehouse.com/podcast/outdoor-living-hour-fresh-farming-and-foodsupplychain-with-arizona-farm-bureau/

For most direct-to-consumer brands, the term "ERP" evokes dread. Six-month implementations. Six-figure costs. Software built for factories, not Shopify stores. Kyle Hency experienced that pain firsthand. He scaled Chubbies Shorts past $100 million in revenue, and along the way, his "sophisticated" spreadsheet system (built by a former banker) completely fell apart. The breaking point? When Nordstrom called wanting to stock Chubbies, and his team realized they had no infrastructure to even accept the order. That painful lesson led Hency to raise $13.5 million for GoodDay Software, an ERP designed from day one for Shopify merchants. In this episode, we demystify what an ERP actually is, identify the warning signs that a brand has outgrown spreadsheets, and explore why the traditional barriers to operational infrastructure are finally falling for smaller businesses. Hency makes the case that it doesn't have to be this hard anymore.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLINKSGoodDay Software: https://gooddaysoftware.comKyle on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kylehencyThe Normal Brand case study: https://bit.ly/4bzwcFMWORK WITH KURTApply for Shopify Helpethercycle.com/applySee Our Resultsethercycle.com/workFree Newsletterkurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.