DCAT Research & Benchmarking

DCAT Research & Benchmarking

DCAT’s 2024 Study: 
The Emerging Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Supply Chain Management 

The business and financial industries are intrigued by the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), especially with the availability of the generative AI tool, ChatGPT. Although generative AI is still in its early stages and not fully comprehended, other types of AI, such as machine learning, have been utilized to solve real-world business problems for quite some time.

The bio/pharma industry is quickly adopting AI, particularly in drug discovery. However, it is unclear whether the industry has recognized the potential benefits of using AI in supply chain management. As AI has significant implications for companies throughout the bio/pharma supply chain, the DCAT Research and Benchmarking Committee has chosen it as the focus of their 2024 study.

This year’s study has the following objectives:

  • Gauge the current status of AI in supply chain management in the bio/pharma industry.
  • Understand the challenges when implementing the technology in the bio/pharma environment, at companies where AI is being tried for supply chain management.
  • Understand what are the barriers to adoption, where it is not being tried or adopted.
  • Help bio/pharma companies and their suppliers understand how the adoption of AI will impact how they work together, and how it might change their relationship.

Learn of the Survey’s Findings at DCAT Week
An Executive Summary of the survey’s findings, along with an expert panel to discuss the use of AI in supply chain management, will be featured at a DCAT Week education program on Tuesday March 19, 2024, from 8:00 to 9:00 AM. The program is complimentary and exclusive to DCAT Member Companies. More information, including how to register, may be found here.

Note: The full report, “The Emerging Role of AI in Supply Chain Management,” will be available for download for DCAT Member Companies in early April 2024.

About DCAT Research & Benchmarking

DCAT Research & Benchmarking is a complimentary, value-added member benefit providing in-depth studies that examine the crucial issues impacting the bio/pharmaceutical manufacturing value chain and the bio/pharma customer—supplier relationship. DCAT Research & Benchmarking studies are developed by the DCAT Research & Benchmarking Committee, composed of member representatives with diverse industry experience, to identify the topics of greatest interest for DCAT member companies and is administered and prepared using an external research firm.

DCAT Research & Benchmarking Report Archives

Envisioning Bio/Pharma Sourcing and Supply Chain Management in 2030
Gain executive views on their vision for the supply-chain organization of the future: what bio/pharma sourcing and supply-chain functions will look like, how suppliers can prepare for changing customer expectations, and how the role of suppliers will evolve. Download the report here.

For reports prior to 2023, contact Miranda Greenberg, Marketing Coordinator, at mgreenberg@dcat.org or +1.856.388.2967. See reports below. 

Incorporating Sustainability in the Bio/Pharmaceutical Supply Chain (2022) 
Examines the driving factors surrounding sustainability and the progress being made toward sustainability in the supply chain (including manufacturing, packaging, and logistics) in the bio/pharma industry.

Managing Business Continuity Risks (2021)

Details how Bio/pharmaceutical companies and suppliers are managing business continuity risks resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and how lessons learned are affecting their approach to supply-risk management overall.

Managing Bio/Pharma Supply Chains in an Uncertain Global Trade Environment (2020)

Provides insights on whether bio/pharma companies and their suppliers believe the deteriorating trade environment is a major threat, and what they are doing to confront the real and potential risks to their supply chains.

Examining the Current and Future Alignment of the Pharma Customer—Supplier Relationship (2019)

Evaluates the current and near-future imperatives for both pharma customers and suppliers, highlighting areas of alignment and misalignment and the opportunities for improvement.

Value-Based Metrics: Examining the Pharma Customer—Supplier Relationship (2018)

Examines the practices and key metrics used by both pharma companies and suppliers to measure the benefits of value-creation activities in the supply of direct materials.

Value Creation in Pharmaceutical Procurement (2017)

Surveying the CPOs of large to mid-sized pharma companies, the study examines Procurement’s role internally and with suppliers to deliver value for achieving corporate and business goals.