HIGHLIGHTS FROM LOGISTICS 4.0 & SMART SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT SUMMIT

Keynotions’s Logistics 4.0 & Smart Supply Chain Management Summit was held on 13-14th of September in Amsterdam. Organised by Arianna Lee, Event Producer at Corporate Parity, the summit took place at the high class venue of Postillion Hotel, and welcomed leaders and professionals in technology and logistics.

DAY 1.

Anirvan Sen, founder of Fith Chrome and expert advisor on Industry 4.0 & Enterprise Blockchain, gave an opening address at the summit. He emphasised the need for transformation on all organisation levels, and importance of keeping up with the evolving technology. He was followed by Martin Lofvers, CEO of Supply Chain Media, who gave a keynote speech on the future of supply chain and logistics within the new digital technology framework. Consecutively, Frauke Heistermann spoke about DIGITALISATION IN LOGISTICS: HYPE AND REALITY. Ms. Frauke, who has been serving as Chief Digitalization Officer of Siemens Postal, Parcel & Airport Logistics in Germany since 2017, discussed the prospects and challenges of digitalisation in logistics, and gave practical advice on building a resilient Supply Chain according to the needs of digital economy.

The afternoon continued with a series of case studies,  including THE ROLE OF FAILURE IN THE INNOVATIVE PROCESS by ABB Group Vice President Heymen Jansen, and HOW AI IS TRANSFORMING SUPPLY CHAIN AND LOGISTICS from Genzai’s CEO Roy Landers. Solventure Academy Director Sacha De Backer presented a stream from professor Bram Desmet, titled SMART SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT. The presentation was dedicated to the supply chain triangle and it’s crucial role in the organisation’s strategy. UPS Marketing Director Jan Denecker further presented the Healthcare Case during LOGISTICS 4.0 stream, where he discussed the prospects for learning and integrating between healthcare and other industries.

The DESIGN THINKING IN LOGISTICS workshop led by Massimo Mercuri received positive feedback from the attendees, as they got a chance to practice joint decision making in a fun and interactive environment. To conclude the first day of the summit, Heymen Jansen and DHL’s Sr. Director Robin Goel led an exciting panel discussion on CREATING A SMART SUPPLY CHAIN. Attendees discussed a variety of supply chain aspects, such as network infrastructure, end to end value chain and workplace impacts of the new technology. The closing statement from Anirvan Sen was followed by a networking evening, during which participants got to know fellow professionals in the relevant industries, and exchanged ideas and insights.

DAY 2.

The second day of the Summit opened with a keynote speech from Robin Goel on DIGITALISATION & THE RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD OF LOGISTICS BUSINESS. He discussed the implications of digitalisation for the future of businesses, and the ways it is changing society and rewiring organisations. Summit chairman Anirvan Sen spoke on the WAYS BLOCKCHAIN IS CHANGING THE SUPPLY CHAIN LANDSCAPE. Sen provided case studies for using blockchain technology in a variety of industries, from automotive to healthcare.

During streamed presentations on SMART SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, Inspired-Search director Oskar Verkamman discussed people managing skills within the new Industry 4.0 framework, and Berenschot consultant Onno Ponfoort provided valuable insights on the impact of the 3D printing on Supply Chain. He also discussed ways of adapting this new technology for future Supply Chain and Logistics business models. The day continued with Anirvan Sen’s case study on LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO OBTAIN TRANSPARENT SUPPLY CHAINS IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY. A debate on the subject “Should Companies start Rethinking Their Supply Chain Operations using Blockchain Technology and Accepting Cryptocurrencies?” concluded the evening.  The debate engaged active participation from the entire audience, thus becoming a memorable highlight of the day.

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