Digital supply chain is the top supply chain trend of 2024. More and more organizations are shifting from physical to digital formats, requiring expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IOT), blockchain and more. Further, supply chain professionals must have a solid understanding of why each type of technology is useful, its potential applications, interpreting its output or analyzing the data it provides, and maximizing results.

There are five main benefits of digital technology to be aware of:

1. See it all, share it all: Real-time data from sensors and smart devices gives a clear view of the entire supply chain, from raw materials to end customers.
2. Work together, work smarter: Powerful tools connect teams, manage inventory and optimize every step, from ordering to delivery.
3. Automate and empower: Robots handle repetitive tasks, while AI helps professionals forecast demand, manage risk and find the best routes.
4. Ready for anything: Plan for disruptions and implement strategies to minimize risk and bounce back quickly.
5. Growing green: Track environmental impact, choose sustainable options and partner with eco-conscious suppliers. By designing products for reuse and recycling, supply chain organizations embrace the circular economy.

Depending on your role in supply chain, you’ll likely need a different level of comprehension for each: Some concepts you may only have to grasp generally, while others you’ll need to understand deeply. But how do you know which digital supply chain aspects to focus on?  

• If you are a supply chain manager, your breadth of knowledge must be wide. You should understand supply chain risk, how to manage a global network, and automation and optimization. To better prepare yourself for this role, become a Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP). You’ll learn how to use specialized software to manage logistics, procurement and other critical supply chain functions.
• For supply chain planners, it’s vital to understand demand forecasting, inventory accuracy and best practices for using enterprise resource planning software. To gain this knowledge, earn your Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) It will teach you about demand drivers, forecasting methods, just-in-time inventory, inventory management best practices and much more.
• Logistics managers must understand logistics strategy as well as inventory and warehouse management, global logistics and end-to-end visibility. To gain this knowledge, earn your Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CTLD) It will teach you network design, sustainability and reverse logistics, capacity planning, demand management and numerous approaches to supply chain visibility.
• If you are an operations manager, you’re likely responsible for big-picture strategy, so you should understand approaches for using data to mitigate risks, boost performance and develop contingency plans. To learn these skills, earn a Supply Chain Planning Certificate. With this credential, you’ll be able to interpret and manage production schedules and purchase orders; understand flow, from idea to execution; and identify technologies to support synchronous planning.
• Procurement specialists have the know-how to effectively track purchase orders, interpret organizational metrics and analyze risk. To gain this knowledge, earn your Supply Chain Procurement Certificate. With this credential, you will learn to score supplier capabilities and select the right suppliers, negotiate contracts more effectively, and engage in sustainable sourcing.
• If you are a warehouse specialist, then it’s necessary to be well-versed in inventory management and data analysis. To learn these skills, earn your Supply Chain Warehousing Certificate. It will teach you to follow an order fulfillment cycle, implement a process for solving distribution problems in real time, and interpret and apply key performance metrics to measure facility success accurately and efficiently.
• Materials managers compare operational performance against the predetermined plan, through data automation and analysis, as well as developing reports to evaluate the execution of that plan. To better prepare yourself for this role, earn your Certification in Transformation for Supply Chain (CTSC) designation, and demonstrate that you have the knowledge to lead a supply chain transformation from beginning to end. This certification will teach you to analyze data to identify suitable suppliers, improve sustainability performance and integrate the right systems for effective transformation.
• For demand planners, using data to predict and fulfil future product demands while optimizing profits and service is essential. To improve these skills, earn the Supply Chain Technology Certificate. This program will help you understand how to use everything from blockchain to IOT, plus applying those technologies to demand forecasting, vendor management and data modeling.
• Supply chain directors are responsible for building the infrastructure necessary for a healthy and functional supply chain. As such, they need to be able to oversee all activities related to supply chain and analyze the network to identify its weaknesses. Whether by integrating AI to better predict disruptions or using scenario planning to build resilience, directors need a range of digital skills. To gain this knowledge, earn the Supply Chain Resilience Certificate. It will teach you to make data-driven decisions, strengthen supplier collaboration and relationships, and acquire practices and trends related to organizational and strategic supply chain resilience.

Of course, these programs are valuable to supply chain professionals at all points in their careers. And even if your job title isn’t on this list, earning one or more of ASCM’s certifications and credentials will show that you have the skills and desire to grow right along with your company.  Get started today by checking out our helpful guide, Which Product Is Right for Me?