Watson-like technology could be a tremendous asset to SCM professionals in a number of ways. Imagine Watson as:

Supply Chain Synchronizer -- SCM execs could more easily achieve the intricate synchronization of supply and demand by integrating Watson-like technology in an intelligent network. If the system could read a million books in a couple seconds, imagine how quickly it could gather information across all of the supply chain functions (planning, forecasting, scheduling, sourcing, transportation, manufacturing, distribution, inventory management, customer order fulfillment). Make-to-order would take on a whole new meaning and just-in-time deliveries would be a way of life for all industries.

It could also tap market intelligence, advanced analytics and varied customer communications and comments/sentiments from the social media sphere and be “at the ready” with answers to SCM executives’ broad-ranging queries as they try to preemptively identify potential fluctuations in consumer demand.

Product Lifecycle Lifeguard -- As product lifecycle traceability grows as a concern for many industries, imagine how easily Watson could track the information gleaned from smart devices as they tag products throughout the supply chain, as well as the containers and modes that are transporting them. Keeping its figurative finger on the pulse of RFID, GPS, sensors and actuators at all times, and blending this data stream with predictive planning and actual transactions (orders, inventory, shipments) should pose no problem for Watson. And it would be a reassuring source of information for SCM management.

Sustainability Savant -- Watson's analytics and modeling prowess could be used to evaluate inventories at all phases, from earth (raw material), to consumption, to afterlife... to achieve best inventory position and levels, while managing its effects on the environment. In addition to focusing on the distribution network, Watson could help provide advice on strategic sourcing concerns which are growing in importance as SCM managers design their networks for sustainability.

Watson could also provide advice on cost-efficient sustainability practices. Imagine having all this computing power and resources at your fingertips as you evaluate the trade offs of the carbon footprint, energy and water usage in creating, shipping or disposing of products.

Risk Ranger -- Watson could also flex its modeling capabilities to provide SCM executives and managers with probability-adjusted risk assessments for risk avoidance. Dealing with day-to-day interruptions and disruptions is an increasing concern in today’s global marketplace. Watson could quickly assimilate important weather or newsroom developments to make recommendations for alternative sources of supply, transportation and routing.

Cost/Constraint Counselor -- Here’s where Watson could really shine. With its instantaneous ability to provide “What-If” modeling scenarios, SCM managers could tap Watson to determine optimal pipeline inventory levels, and determine whether to partner or outsource to benefit from flexibility, scale and skills. SCM executives could "converse" with Watson to quickly and easily evaluate the myriad of trade-offs of cost with other constraints. They could select the best variable cost structures to enhance their supply chain networks and create cost-efficient sustainable products and practices while hedging risks with partners.

In addition to being able to analyze tremendous amounts of data in record time, when Watson provides answers to questions it actually provides a number of answers along with a confidence ranking for each answer. Having access to this type of data will go a long way to help alleviate SCM managers’s concerns over major shifts in demand variability and the associated impact on supply, distribution, and financial streams. Not to mention, the impact on customer service.