SAP's Val Blatt Talks Modernizing Supply Chains to Prioritize Customers

Supply Chain Insights


The Big Themes:



Customer-Centric Supply Chains:
Customer-centric supply chains are about aligning every aspect
of the supply chain to serve the ultimate consumer. Val
describes this as keeping the "why" — the customer — at the
forefront, rather than focusing solely on operational
efficiencies. Companies that succeed here often find themselves
leaders in their industries, regardless of size.


Cultural and Technological Shifts in Supply
Chain: Val underscores the need for cultural change
within organizations to adopt customer-focused practices and
leverage innovative technology. Businesses must move beyond
outdated methods (e.g., fax orders) and embrace digital
solutions. Leadership plays a vital role in fostering this
transformation, promoting a culture of adaptability, and
aligning employee incentives with customer-driven goals.


The Role of Regulatory Compliance: Compliance
with regulations, such as those preventing the use of goods
linked to unethical practices like child labor, is becoming a
non-negotiable aspect of supply chains. Val points out that
meeting these requirements not only avoids legal penalties but
also ensures long-term viability and trust in global markets.
Compliance is a driving force for adopting modern supply chain
technologies.



The Big Quote: “[SAP Business Network] really does modernize how
companies connect and collaborate across the supply chain. More
specifically, the platform integrates into a company's back-end
system. It can be to their ERP system, it can be through their
procurement system. It can integrate to their logistics system,
their planning system, and it allows us to actually send
transaction documents back and forth . . . and gives you
visibility across that entire supply chain."


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