How to integrate AI agents into your supply chain

Executives know their supply chain requires AI technology to compete globally. When asked, a majority said they plan to invest even more resources into the implementation of AI in the next year. However, while there is enthusiasm for the new opportunities, companies still struggle with strategies for getting the most out of their investments. 

Without a clear vision for how, and why, companies should adopt AI tools, the solutions can often be treated as an afterthought rather than mission critical. To avoid remaining unaware of the powerful benefits of AI agents, supply chain leaders must arm themselves with information about exactly what they will get from their solutions. 
To understand the most helpful agent capabilities, we’ve put together a list of what to expect and how to get the most value out of your AI agents. 

To decide the best way to leverage AI agents for a more resilient and agile supply chain, we’ve put together a list of the most helpful applications based on your goals. 

Agents for decision-making

Leaders across all supply chains feel a sense of decision fatigue (7 in 10 mention experiencing it on a daily basis).  From one hour to the next, one person might need to consider dozens of variables for a single choice. The time and energy required to digest all necessary data and communicate a plan to all necessary parties is too much to do manually. 

When used for decision-making, AI agents allow leaders to see the entire picture at one time. Using comprehensive data, they can suggest the best course of action, plus the impact that choice will have on future decisions. Rather than make decisions without human oversight, like many executives tend to believe, AI agents present the best options to consider so no time is wasted. After confirming the right decision, agents can then carry out those plans independently. 

Perhaps more importantly, AI agents collect and incorporate data into their suggestions in real time. In the past, companies were forced to pick a strategy based on old data. An incomplete delivery, an unexpected weather event, a manufacturing recall can all happen in an instant. A report compiled only an hour earlier can be rendered useless for decision-making amid disruptions. But AI agents ensure that no matter when you look at the data, you are getting the most accurate and complete picture. The result is better decisions with a bigger impact on business goals.

Agents for operational efficiency

A major benefit of AI agents is their proactive capabilities. Because of operational complexity, supply chain professionals spend much of their daily lives reacting to the unexpected. Leadership feels pressure to proactively support and improve operational strategies but find it difficult to account for every disruption. AI agents can improve workflow immediately with those small decisions like picking schedule, warehouse organization and other tasks.  

AI agents work constantly in the background to collect relevant information, understand what small changes can be made to get companies closer to their business goals and put those strategies forward, without needing prompting. While leadership works on overall strategies and workers fulfill the needs of the supply chain, AI agents can work to improve the process for everyone. 

Companies no longer need to make expensive investments that don’t serve their bigger goals. Instead, they will know, with granularity, which optimizations to make to every detail from warehouse layout to labor needs and more. 

Agents for data management

Decision fatigue may be the most reported pain point by executives, but data management is an obstacle for everyone, no matter where they sit in the supply chain. Legacy systems rarely talk directly to each other, making sharing information a tedious process that often involves reorganizing data from multiple sources. 

AI agents are purpose-built to organize data and maintain its integrity in real time. Of course, that means the data manually inputted into the system. But more importantly, AI can scan documents and organize the data without extra effort from workers . The AI agents can instantly use that information to update any planning or daily operations. 

From busy warehouses that need to digitize stacks of paperwork to logistics professionals who need to know, down to the minute, what the best routes are for their various vehicles, AI-powered data management is a major upgrade to operations. What’s more, end-to-end data management means a better idea of the overall impact of every decision and procedure. Companies don’t have to wait to see the impact of updates. They can see predictions and recommended actions based on comprehensive data almost instantly. 

Agents for collaboration

Ultimately, the benefit of AI agents across the supply chain is the opportunity for collaboration. No action in the supply chain happens independently. A web of consequences and options opens with every completed task. As important as it is for individuals to focus on their specialties, knowing how they affect others and how they can work better together, makes a world of difference in performance. 

AI agents can introduce new ways to collaborate and remind employees of procedures and strategies they may be too busy to remember in a critical moment. While that may seem like a small change to the overall supply chain operations, having a tool that ensures everyone knows their next right task is invaluable. It builds resiliency because employees are never without options. The tacit knowledge of each individual is made available to everyone, even if a worker is on vacation. AI agents provide a safety net, and a path forward no matter what new expectations or challenges arise. 

It's time to make a plan for your investment in AI agents. It is a way to guarantee the future success of your supply chain.