Survey: Under Growing Shadow of Amazon, Manufacturers Take on ‘Role of a Retailer’The 2018 Intelligent Manufacturing survey conducted by JDA Software also revealed a commitment to technology investments.

[Collection]JDA Software Inc.’s latest Intelligent Manufacturing survey showed that in response to the “Amazon effect” and changes in consumer demands, manufacturers are increasingly taking on the “role of a retailer” while also rethinking technology investments. Researchers at the firm said “in an effort to address future shopping behaviors and consumer tastes” 51 percent of respondents said they were “focused on enabling internal and external collaboration across the supply chain” while 44 percent were prioritizing “demand sensing” and 33 percent were keying into data science. The poll found that 43 percent were “focusing their technology investments on inventory optimization solutions and integrated planning. Forty-one percent were focused on execution technologies, the authors of the report said adding that the survey findings “suggest manufacturers are embracing a new retail-like role and willing to cater to both consumer needs and the competitive direct-to-consumer space.” About one-third of the respondents said they were committed to integrated planning, “wherein their long- and mid-term planning process is integrated with tactical execution through a single, connected technology accessed by users across the supply chain function.” JDA noted that in order to meet the “changing needs” of consumers, integration of sales and operations planning is critical. Fred Baumann, group vice president of

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