A host of potentially disruptive technologies are creating digital "always-on" supply chains that will provide better efficiency, visibility and customer service across a variety of industries, while challenging companies to find the talent to manage them, according to a new study.

The 2016 MHI Annual Industry Report titled Accelerating Change: How Innovation is Driving Digital "Always-On" Supply Chains was released at the MODEX trade show last week, providing new insights into trends and technologies that are having a dramatic impact on supply chains and the people who run them.

Key findings include the challenge posed by a lack of skilled talent, the potential contribution of technology to competitiveness, difficulties justifying investment in innovation on the one hand and plans for some significant spending on technology on the other.

The study identifies eight disruptive technologies:
* Predictive analytics
* Robotics and automation
* Sensors and automatic identification
* Wearables and mobile technology
* Driverless vehicles and drones
* Inventory and network optimisation tools
* Cloud computing and storage
* 3D printing

"The innovations driving 'always-on' supply chains are initially disruptive, but they can empower firms to optimise processes and improve efficiency, creating a more flexible experience for workers and driving measurable business outcomes," says Scott Sopher, principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP. "According to the survey findings, adoption of (these) technologies ... will grow dramatically over the next six to 10 years."

Robotics and automation and driverless vehicles and drones were seen as making bigger impacts on the supply chain.

This third annual study was conducted by MHI and Deloitte and is based on interviews with 900 supply chain executives from a wide range of industries.