After a dull 2002, the supply chain automation picture brightens

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Supply chain automation is like the weather; many talk about it, few do anything about it, according to a new report from Forrester Research Inc. “2002 is a year that supply chain management vendors would rather forget,” begins the Five SCM Predictions for 2003 report by analyst Navi Radjou. That’s not stopping Forrester, though, from predicting robust growth as industries attempt to bring automation to their supply chains. And retailing is right up there, with the second highest compound annual growth (35%) of all industries, just behind transportation (37%). In 2008 the total market in supply chain management spending will be nearly four times what it will be this year, Forrester says. Much of the spending will be on web-based automation and collaboration services. Here are some of Forrester’s findings and predictions: