“Generative AI is revolutionising supply chain management by introducing new levels of efficiency, resilience and sustainability,” says Sircar. “By enhancing demand forecasting through the analysis of historical data, market trends and external factors, generative AI enables companies to make more accurate predictions. This optimisation helps maintain ideal inventory levels, reducing the risk of product shortages and ensuring customer satisfaction.” In addition, generative AI can be used to continuously generate optimised replenishment plans based on real-time demand signals, supplier lead times and current inventory levels. This helps to minimise costs and ensures that products are available when needed. Microsoft Copilot is having the greatest impact for manufacturers in terms of supply chain management, says Sircar. “It provides actionable insights by analysing large volumes of data, enhancing visibility across the supply chain and automating routine tasks,” he explains. “This allows employees to focus on more strategic activities, improving overall productivity. By facilitating communication and collaboration, Copilot ensures that all parts of the supply chain are aligned and working towards common goals.” Copilot’s ability to integrate with systems for enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain planning forms the backbone of its role in streamlining operations and enhancing customer satisfaction. For example, in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain, Copilot helps to manage purchase order changes at scale, assess FEATURE “Generative AI is revolutionising supply chain management by introducing new levels of efficiency, resilience and sustainability” 124
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