IBM research confirms that a competitive supply chain is directly linked to business growth.
IBM joins Impetus 2006 as a Platinum Sponsor and key-note speaker. IBM will present results from an extensive study into the progress of supply chain management among industry leaders at GS1 Australia 's annual conference and expo, Impetus, in Melbourne on 25 July 2006.
Craig Rawlings, Associate Partner of IBM Global Business Services Australia and New Zealand, says that IBM has been partnering with GS1 globally for some time. He believes that by collaborating with industry groups such as GS1, his company is better able to understand the business challenges its clients face and therefore develop solutions that truly make a difference.
IBM’s recent research into the supply chain, the IBM Value Chain Study, has found that Australian and New Zealand organisations are investing in the supply chain, treating it as a strategic tool to drive responsiveness and reduce costs.
Rawlings believes that innovation in the supply chain will be a key component of helping Australian businesses step up to the next level and continue to remain competitive in a global market.
A number of notable GS1 members took part in this study, generating considerable interest in the results.
Maria Palazzolo, CEO of GS1 Australia says the partnership with IBM has meant Australian businesses not only have access to international case studies, but also are given the opportunity to participate and benefit from locally relevant research to assist with decisions on how to get more out of their business processes.
She believes many businesses will only change supply chain management processes if their customers demand it, as has happened with Coles Myer and Woolworths here, or with Wal-Mart in the US.
Palazzolo says that this results in many companies only doing enough to comply with the customers requests and not looking into how it could benefit their own organisation.
According to Palazzolo, trials conducted by GS1 Australia and research from IBM firmly conclude that by integrating supply chain processes into other management processes, and by using global standards recognised by trading partners, businesses can succeed in using these customer demands to cut costs, improve profit margins, and access much bigger markets.
Impetus 2006 runs 25-26 July and will be held at Sofitel Melbourne