Today, IDC Manufacturing Insights hosted a Web conference, IDC Manufacturing Insights 2014 Predictions: Supply Chain Strategies, highlighting the top 10 predictions for the year ahead. Featuring analysts Simon Ellis and Heather Ashton, the session provided organizations with insight and perspective on long-term industry trends along with new themes that may be on the horizon. The Predictions Web conference series is designed to help company leaders capitalize on emerging market opportunities and plan for future growth.

An audio replay of today's Web conference will be available within 12 hours; to access the replay and receive a complimentary copy of the presentation, a please visit: http://bit.ly/IDCMI_SupplyChain_Predictions2014.

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The IDC Manufacturing Insights top 10 supply chain predictions for 2014 are:

  • Prediction #1: Operational resiliency will be the focus of supply chain strategies in 2014 and beyond.
  • Prediction #2: Supply chain technology investment will involve modernizing existing systems while also trying new approaches.
  • Prediction #3: Volatile demand and extending supply will put pressure on supply networks to be closer to demand.
  • Prediction #4: The need to be faster will require manufacturers to explore more deeply integrated supply chain planning and fulfillment functions.
  • Prediction #5: No longer exclusive to consumer industries, manufacturers will look for ways to further develop a "demand orientation" through demand sensing and capture.
  • Prediction #6: Manufacturers will prioritize risk and resilience capabilities, particularly in supply chain monitoring and visibility.
  • Prediction #7: Global trade management will mature as a critical capability in managing growth in emerging markets.
  • Prediction #8: Manufacturers will renew interest in the data management and governance organization in 2014.
  • Prediction #9: In the context of procurement and interest in driving more productive collaboration, B2B commerce networks will become anthropological "dig sites".
  • Prediction #10: Manufacturers will seek new ways to extract data-driven value, leveraging mobile and cloud for access anywhere, anytime.

"In the context of the 3D value chain, operational resiliency is clearly dependent upon being demand aware and data driven, but it is also about digital execution: leveraging data to broaden and extend 'supply chain intelligence'; so IDC Manufacturing Insights expects that for 2014, operational resilience will come to the forefront and underpin manufacturers supply chain strategy moving forward," said Simon Ellis, Practice Director, Global Supply Chain Strategies for IDC Manufacturing Insights.

For additional information about these predictions or to arrange a one-on-one briefing, please contact Sarah Murray at 781-378-2674 or sarah@attunecommunications.com. Reports are available to qualified members of the media. For information on purchasing reports, contact insights@idc.com; reporters should email sarah@attunecommunications.com.

About IDC Predictions

A hallmark of IDC's offering for three decades, the annual Top 10 Predictions reports provide our outlook on the IT market, across industries, in the coming year. IDC will publish dozens of Top 10 Predictions documents and host more than 50 events looking ahead toward 2014. Please visit http://www.idc.com/predictions2014 for a complete listing.

About IDC Manufacturing Insights

IDC Manufacturing Insights assists manufacturing businesses and IT leaders, as well as the suppliers who serve them in making more effective technology decisions by providing accurate, timely, and insightful fact-based research and consulting services. Staffed by senior analysts with decades of industry experience, our global research analyzes and advises on business and technology issues facing asset intensive, brand oriented, technology oriented, and engineering oriented manufacturing industries. International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology market. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology, media, research, and events company. For more information, please visit www.idc.com/manufacturing, email info@idc-mi.com, or call 508-988-7900. Visit the IDC Manufacturing Insights Community at http://idc-insights-community.com/manufacturing.

IDC
Heather Hargraves, 508-935-4162
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Sarah Murray, 781-378-2674
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sarah@attunecommunications.com