Revealing the Balance: Automation vs. Human Intervention in Supply Chains

Hello and welcome back to another episode of the Digital Supply Chain podcast. I'm your host, Tom Raftery and today we're digging into a fascinating conversation about automation, human intervention, and collaboration in supply chain systems.Our guest is Tom Pierce, the Founder and President of Integrated Information Systems. In this episode, Tom takes us on a deep dive into the nuances of supply chain processes and the balance between automated systems and human involvement. We discuss the importance of understanding the entire project lifecycle, particularly in industries where projects span several years.Tom shares his insights on the importance of cross-functional collaboration and training. He emphasizes the need to understand the impact of decisions across the entire organization and the value of open communication.We also take a closer look at the world of software systems - the constant interplay between standardization and specialization, and the tension between proprietary systems and interoperability. Tom's philosophy? The more open, exposed, and transparent we can be about our automated processes, the better.This episode will make you think about the role of automation, the importance of visibility into processes, and the need for open, accessible information. It's a must-listen for anyone interested in how to make supply chains more efficient and collaborative.Whether you're deep in the world of supply chain management or just curious about how things work behind the scenes, you won't want to miss this conversation. So tune in and let's dive right in!Remember, you can find Tom Pierce on LinkedIn or reach out to him at Tom@i2s.us. For more great conversations on all things supply chain, be sure to subscribe and share the Digital Supply Chain podcast. See you in the next episode!Check out the video version of this episode at Elevate your brand with the ‘Sustainable Supply Chain’ podcast, the voice of supply chain sustainability.Last year, this podcast's episodes were downloaded over 113,000 times by senior supply chain executives around the world.Become a sponsor. Lead the conversation.Contact me for sponsorship opportunities and turn downloads into dialogues.Act today. Influence the future.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's generous supporters: Lorcan Sheehan Olivier Brusle Alicia Farag Luis Olavarria Alvaro Aguilar And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Digital Supply Chain episodes like this one.Podcast Sponsorship Opportunities:If you/your organisation is interested in sponsoring this podcast - I have several options available. Let's talk!FinallyIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - feel free to just send me a direct message on Twitter/LinkedIn. If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover it. Thanks for listening.