What is a digital worker in manufacturing? A digital worker is an AI-powered operational agent that can execute specific business tasks across systems, workflows and teams. Unlike traditional automation tools that follow fixed rules, digital workers can work with context, interpret operational information, make governed decisions and coordinate actions across multiple systems. In manufacturing environments, digital workers are typically
I just got back from the 2026 Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo, and one message came through louder than anything else: AI isn’t coming, it’s already here. The real problem isn’t whether organizations have the technology. It’s whether they’re structured to use it. Most organizations are trying to bolt AI onto workforce models built for a different era, ones built around human-centric decisions, sequential workflows, and functional silos. And the gap between AI
1. Define your inventory needs Before you start ordering, storing, and moving your inventory, you need to have a clear idea of what you need, when you need it, and where you need it. This means you have to analyze your project scope, schedule, budget, and quality requirements, and identify the types, quantities, and specifications
5 Ways Consumer‑Grade AI Fails in Industrial Operations And Why Industrial AI Is the Only AI Built to Run the Real World AI is everywhere, but most of it was never built for industrial operations. Tools designed for documents, dashboards, and demos break down fast when confronted with assets, uptime, safety, and execution at scale.
Why quoting has become a pressure point for manufacturers In many manufacturing organizations, quoting still relies on a mix of ERP data, spreadsheets, and informal checks with engineering or pricing teams. That approach worked when product ranges were limited and variation was manageable. Today, it creates friction. Manufacturers are selling more configurable products, supporting multiple
1. Assess Risks To prevent disruptions from supplier delays, begin by assessing the risks within your supply chain. Identify which suppliers have had issues in the past, the likelihood of future delays, and the potential impact on your inventory. You should evaluate the criticality of each product and consider alternative sources or additional suppliers for your
Most logistics teams can tell you how many shipments moved last week. Far fewer can tell you why costs came in over budget, which carrier decisions drove the variance, or what they’d do differently next time. That gap between activity and understanding is where logistics intelligence lives, and closing it isn’t about doing more with
The conversation around environmental resilience has never been more urgent. For utility and energy companies, that urgency is measured in carbon emissions reduced, renewable energy integrated, and the critical infrastructure transformation needed to power a sustainable future. The energy sector is confronting a hard truth: the old ways of doing business simply aren’t enough anymore. The Convergence of Change The
1. Define common goals and metrics One of the first steps to improve inventory and logistics team communication is to define common goals and metrics that align with your business objectives and customer expectations. For example, you might want to set targets for inventory turnover, fill rate, service level, or cost reduction. By having clear
Why execution gaps, not planning failures, are costing industrial companies trust and revenue A customer tries to place an order for a product they depend on. The system checks inventory. The system says “out of stock.” The order is denied. Despite stock sitting in another warehouse 50 miles away. That moment, the instant the system responds, is the Moment of Service. And too
