We can no longer ignore it: supply chains are at a pivotal point worldwide. Traditionally characterized by unpredictability and vulnerabilities, supply chains no longer need to be this way thanks to the rise of AI and additive manufacturing. Our CEO Pieter discussed this topic in our Partner Talks with Rafael Vasquez, VP of Global Customer Value Management at Coupa—a partner we are proud to collaborate with.
Coupa provides a cloud platform for managing and optimizing expenses, including procurement, invoicing, and supply chain planning. Using AI and analytics, Coupa helps companies work more efficiently, save costs, and gain better insights into their spending.
The Potential of AI and Additive Manufacturing
Pieter: "Thank you, Rafael, for having this discussion. It's clear that supply chains are at a pivotal point, and both Dimanex and Coupa recognize the enormous potential of AI and 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, to reshape them."
Rafael: "Absolutely, Pieter. The traditional approach to supply chains—characterized by unpredictability, vulnerabilities, and waste—is rapidly becoming obsolete. At Coupa, we're empowering businesses to move towards agile, intelligent, and sustainable models, and our cooperation embodies that vision."
Leveraging AI to Transform Supply Chains
Pieter: "The statistics speak for themselves. A significant portion (10-20%) of parts across industries are already 3D printable, and this number will only grow in the coming years. At Dimanex, we're leveraging AI to unlock the value of additive manufacturing for our customers, providing data-driven insights to guide their supply chain transformation."
Rafael: "Coupa's AI-driven platform, with its comprehensive suite of Source-to-Pay and Supply Chain Design & Planning products, already provides companies with real-time visibility and control over their spend management. By integrating Dimanex's analytics and additive manufacturing solutions, we're taking it a step further, enabling businesses to make strategic and business-driven decisions about their supply chain, for instance in deciding which parts to 3D print on demand, where to print them, and when."
Pieter: "That’s the key, Rafael. It's about transitioning from a reactive to a predictive approach. Our AI-powered analytics identify parts best suited for 3D printing, considering factors like total cost of ownership, lead times, material usage, and even indicates ESG impacts. We then connect our customers with a global network of additive manufacturing partners, ensuring they can print the parts with biggest savings locally and on demand."
“It's about empowering businesses to move from uncertainty to confidence, from vulnerability to resilience, from reactive to proactive and from waste to sustainability."
From Predictive Maintenance to Predictive Manufacturing
Rafael: "Imagine, Pieter, a company needing a specific quantity of parts for maintenance in a few weeks. Instead of holding excess inventory in multiple warehouses, incurring unnecessary storage costs and risking obsolescence, they can simply 3D print those parts locally, just in time for when they're needed. Predictive maintenance that seamlessly flows into predictive manufacturing."
Pieter: "Precisely, Rafael. That's the beauty of a digital supply chain. It's about moving away from just-in-time warehouse management to just-in-time production, drastically reducing lead times, minimizing waste, and optimizing resource utilization. This is becoming more crucial in many different sectors like e.g. aerospace and transport where the availability of spare parts is critical."
“Imagine: predictive maintenance that seamlessly flows into predictive manufacturing.”
Additive Manufacturing: Opportunities and Sustainability
Rafael: "The possibilities are endless. For instance, when using your additive manufacturing analytics to identify parts with additive manufacturing potential, Coupa’s platform can then help companies test various supply chain scenarios, comparing traditional manufacturing and supply chain optimization strategies with on-demand 3D printing to make informed decisions."
Pieter: "This approach aligns perfectly with the principles of lean manufacturing, where eliminating waste in supply chains is paramount. Using additive manufacturing we're not only driving cost savings but also reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional manufacturing and logistics."
Rafael: "Sustainability is indeed a critical and increasingly important aspect of supply chains. By leveraging AI and additive manufacturing, we can help businesses make validated manufacturing and supply chain decisions to reduce material consumption, minimize transportation needs, and even explore the use of recycled materials in their 3D printing processes."
A Digital and Collaborative Future for Supply Chains
Pieter: "The future of supply chains is digital, data-driven, and collaborative. Our partnership with Coupa embodies this vision, combining both our unique strengths to empower businesses with the tools and insights they need to navigate the evolving manufacturing and supply chain landscape."
Rafael: "It's about empowering businesses to move from uncertainty to confidence, from vulnerability to resilience, from reactive to proactive and from waste to sustainability. Together, we're ushering in a new era of supply chain management."
Pieter: Thank you, Rafael, for sharing your insights with us.
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