The State of Supply Chain Market Research - Ep 180
Conor Doherty and Joannes Vermorel expose vendor-biased market research and show how deep-search LLMs can deliver faster, fairer supply-chain insights.
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Supply Chain Lectures(More episodes)
On Knowledge, Time and Work for Supply Chains - Lecture 1.7
Supply chains abide by the general economic principles. Yet, these principles are too little known and too frequently misrepresented. Popular supply chain practices and their theories often contradict what is generally agreed upon in economics.
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Pricing Optimization for the Automotive Aftermarket - Lecture 6.2
The balance of supply and demand very much depends on prices. Thus, pricing optimization belongs to the realm of supply chain, at least to a sizeable extent. We will present a series of techniques to optimize the prices of a fictitious automotive aftermarket company. Through this example, we will see the danger associated with abstract lines of reasoning that fail to see the proper context. Knowing what ought to be optimized is more important than the fine print of the optimization itself.
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The Supply Chain Scientist - Lecture 7.3
At the core of a Quantitative Supply Chain initiative, there is the Supply Chain Scientist (SCS) who executes the data preparation, the economic modeling and the KPI reporting. The smart automation of the supply chain decisions is the end-product of the work done by the SCS. The SCS takes ownership of the generated decisions. The SCS delivers human intelligence magnified through machine processing power.
Read MoreGuest speakers(More episodes)
Bad Actors in Tech (with Anthony Miller) - Ep 175
Conor Doherty hosts a conversation with Anthony Miller (logistics consultant and writer) and Joannes Vermorel (founder of Lokad) about the prevalence of “bad actors” in enterprise technology—particularly within logistics and supply chain software. They discuss how bloated vendor promises, massive venture capital investments, and misleading analyst reports often lead to suboptimal or failed implementations. To avoid these pitfalls, they recommend examining a vendor’s actual product depth, financial stability, leadership consistency, and the clarity of the vendor’s communications—rather than relying on superficial rankings or buzzwords.
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No Such Thing as an Optimal Solution (with Ian Wright) - Ep 173
In a recent LokadTV interview, Conor Doherty hosted Ian Wright, founder of Logistics Sciences, and Joannes Vermorel, CEO of Lokad, to discuss the notion that there are no optimal decisions in supply chain management. They challenged traditional views on efficiency, highlighting the complexities and uncertainties that defy textbook ideals. Ian and Joannes emphasized that different stakeholders have varying definitions of optimality, and practical solutions must align with business realities. They discussed the limitations of traditional optimization methods and the importance of human judgment in strategic decision-making. The conversation underscored the need for models that handle uncertainty and focus on true economic outcomes.
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In Defense of S&OP (with Eric Wilson) - Ep 171
In a recent LokadTV interview, Conor Doherty hosted a discussion between Joannes Vermorel, CEO of Lokad, and Eric Wilson, Director of Thought Leadership at the Institute of Business Forecasting (IBF), focusing on Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP). Wilson, advocating for S&OP, highlighted its role in aligning company functions for coordinated decision-making and its benefits for mature companies. Vermorel critiqued S&OP as outdated, advocating for a software-centric approach to enhance efficiency and reduce human intervention. The debate covered the effectiveness of meetings, incremental versus radical changes, opportunity costs, and the future of S&OP, with both agreeing on the need for significant technological advancements.
Read MoreSupply Chain In 3 Minutes(More episodes)
Bill of Materials vs Bill of Resources - Supply Chain in 3 minutes
In a recent discussion, Conor Doherty highlights the critical differences between a bill of materials (BOM) and a bill of resources (BOR) for effective scheduling in manufacturing and repair operations. While a BOM lists the raw materials needed for production, a BOR includes not only these materials but also the necessary tools and skills. Doherty emphasizes that neglecting any component of the BOR can lead to production delays and increased costs. He argues that a comprehensive understanding of both BOM and BOR is essential for optimizing efficiency and minimizing financial risks in industrial processes.
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Effects of AI on Supply Chain Jobs - Supply Chain in 3 minutes
Conor Doherty of Lokad scrutinizes a Harvard study on AI's impact on white-collar jobs, revealing nuanced effects. The research, involving 758 consultants, assesses AI's role in enhancing productivity, particularly in supply chain management. It finds that AI boosts performance in certain tasks, especially with training, but may falter in complex scenarios. Doherty critiques the study's narrow view of AI as an adjunct to human labor, arguing for its potential to fully automate tasks, thus revolutionizing productivity and redefining white-collar work. He warns of overconfidence in job security, as AI's full capabilities could dramatically alter the employment landscape.
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Essential Skills for Modern Supply Chain - Supply Chain in 3 minutes
Conor Doherty, Head of Communication at Lokad, emphasizes the evolution of supply chain management, highlighting three critical skills for future practitioners':' technical writing, digital literacy, and financial awareness. Technical writing is crucial for documenting complex processes, ensuring knowledge is preserved and shared. Digital literacy, encompassing coding and data analytics, is vital for interpreting vast data streams and solving intricate supply chain challenges. Financial awareness enables practitioners to understand the economic impact of their decisions, ensuring fiscal responsibility. These skills are essential for navigating the complexities of modern supply chains and making informed, prudent decisions.
Read MoreSupply Chain science and tech(More episodes)
The State of Supply Chain Market Research - Ep 180
Conor Doherty and Joannes Vermorel expose vendor-biased market research and show how deep-search LLMs can deliver faster, fairer supply-chain insights.
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Analyzing Oil and Gas Supply Chain - Ep 179
In a reflective dialogue, Conor Doherty and Joannes Vermorel delve into supply chain challenges in the oil and gas industry, likening them to managing a miniature city rather than straightforward enterprises. Vermorel critiques conventional methods focused on criticality, advocating for automation and numerical models to enhance efficiency. He addresses the financial impact of long-tail events, emphasizing streamlined inventory practices over stockpiling. Vermorel highlights the inadequacy of systems like ERPs in decision-making, advocating for systems of intelligence to navigate future uncertainties. The conversation underscores the industry's conservative nature, where agility and digital optimization are crucial for advancing supply chain strategies.
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What went wrong: SAP S4HANA - Ep 178
In an insightful discussion between Conor Doherty of Lokad and CEO Joannes Vermorel, they delve into the financial setbacks associated with SAP’s software implementations. Vermorel elucidates the fundamental problems of merging systems of records, systems of reports, and systems of intelligence into a single ERP solution, which leads to inefficiencies and conflicts. They highlight the costly failures experienced by companies like DHL and Lidl due to SAP’s flawed strategies, particularly the integration of HANA. Vermorel advocates for specialized systems and open-source solutions like PostgreSQL, which offer robust functionality at lower costs, steering companies away from complex, ineffective software amalgamations.
Read MoreIndustry deep dive(More episodes)
Optimizing Aviation Pool Management at Spairliners (with Cyril Gaudard)
Tristan Oualid and Cyril Gaudard reflect on a 10-year Lokad–Spairliners partnership, highlighting how analytics, procurement, and collaboration drive smarter aviation pool management.
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10 Years of Success: Optimizing MRO Operations at Spairliners
In a recent interview, key figures from Spairliners and Lokad discussed their roles and collaborative efforts in the aviation industry. Rene Popp, Head of Engineering at Spairliners, emphasized efficient asset management and logistics. Quentin Roux, Supply Chain Team Leader, highlighted managing supplier relationships and repair orders. Remi Quentin from Lokad focused on optimizing supply chain processes through data science. Elizabeth Peters, Sales Director, discussed business development in North America. Cyril Gaudard, Team Leader Asset & Procurement, praised the dynamic industry and teamwork. The interview underscored the importance of collaboration, continuous learning, and strategic partnerships in overcoming aviation supply chain challenges.
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AI-Powered Supply Chain optimization at Tokic group
In a recent interview, Fabian Hoehner, Commercial Director at Lokad, and Elliot Langella, Lead Supply Chain Scientist at Lokad, discussed their participation in the ATR digital conference in Athens, hosted by the Tokic group, a Croatian automotive aftermarket company. They highlighted the integration of AI in the automotive aftermarket sector, focusing on their three-year collaboration with Tokic. This partnership, which began in late 2021, aimed to optimize stock levels and improve supply chain efficiency through AI-driven decision-making and demand forecasting. The results included a 5% increase in service levels and a 10% rise in sales, showcasing the transformative potential of AI in supply chain management.
Read MoreFrench tech(More episodes)
Conference with Joannes Vermorel at CentraleSupélec (French)
Joannes Vermorel, CEO and Founder of Lokad, delivered a lecture in French, sharing his journey in Supply Chain management. Vermorel recounted founding Lokad after graduating from École Normale Supérieure and shifting focus from bioinformatics to Supply Chain challenges. He discussed the development of Envision, Lokad's programming language, and the company's evolution since 2007. Vermorel criticized traditional Supply Chain theories, likening them to astrology, and emphasized the importance of challenging consensus. He highlighted Lokad's success with probabilistic methods and the impact of COVID-19 on Supply Chain robotization. Vermorel predicted the obsolescence of traditional roles and encouraged students to drive the industry's revolution.
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Lokad at Supply Chain Event 2024
Recorded in November 2024 in Paris, Conor Doherty (Communications Director at Lokad) reports on Lokad's second appearance at Supply Chain Event. This yearly French-language event is a major gathering of solution-providers in the industry. This time, Lokad hosted a panel discussion with French retail giant Maisons du Monde to discuss the intricacies of their supply chain partnership.
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Quantifying Uncertainty: A Roundtable at SCE2024 on Forecasting and Planning for the Modern Supply Chain
Moderated by Kevin Baumann, Lead Supply Chain Scientist at Lokad, this roundtable brought together senior executives from the retail sector for an in-depth discussion on the challenges and opportunities of the modern supply chain.
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