Breaking Silos How Integrated Data and AI Transform Supply Chains

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Breaking Silos: How Integrated Data and AI Transform Supply Chains

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What do canceled flights, a matcha shortage and a breakfast crisis reveal about our fragile supply chains? 

In mid-July last year, McDonald’s Australia made an unexpected move: It cut breakfast hours by 90 minutes because it couldn’t get enough eggs due to a bird flu outbreak. Two months later, Malaysia Airlines reduced its flight capacity by 20%, citing labor shortages and a lack of spare parts. Currently, Japan's matcha — the finely ground green tea loved worldwide — faces a supply crunch as global demand outpaces production.  

A recent survey shows that 68% of supply chain professionals expect more disruptions in 2025, with 54.5% naming the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region as the highest-risk area worldwide. Companies are struggling to respond effectively to disruptions in the region due to a key obstacle: A lack of collaboration.

Overcoming this challenge was the focus of a presentation at the IDG Technology Symposium and Awards, called “From Data Siloes to AI-Driven Insights.” Blue Yonder’s Chief Innovation Officer Andrea Morgan-Vandome joined Stephanie Krishnan, Associate Vice President for APAC at IDC, to share their insights on managing supply chain disruptions quickly and intelligently.

Disconnected APAC supply chains create challenges

In the Asia-Pacific region, companies operate in diverse markets with different regulations, varying levels of digital maturity and cultural complexities. This mix makes it difficult for organizations to work together effectively and respond quickly to market changes and other disruptions. 

Misalignment between business functions, IT systems and trading partners further hinders collaboration in APAC supply chains. Legacy IT systems, which were not designed for real-time data sharing, force production, procurement and logistics to run on separate, disconnected systems. Creating an orchestrated, strategic response to disruptions is virtually impossible in this disconnected supply chain landscape, which lacks an integrated technology platform.The fractured, diverse nature of APAC supply chains delays the flow of vital information, leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities to tackle emerging risks.

Breaking down silos, for improved cooperation

The key to overcoming these challenges is to break down functional silos and enable true collaboration across the supply chain via an integrated platform. Speaking at the IDG event, Andrea Morgan-Vandome explained,” We really break down the silos best when we have one platform and are looking at the same data. We work better together when we don’t just collaborate but also cooperate.” 

By breaking down silos, companies can move beyond simple collaboration and foster true cooperation. Leveraging a single, integrated IT system enables businesses to:

  • Unify functions around a single source of truth: A unified, integrated technology platform ensures that all teams and trading partners work from the same data. This not only improves collaboration and reduces misalignment, but it also enables businesses to actively cooperate with suppliers and distributors, streamlining decision-making across the supply chain.
  • Gain a real-time view across the supply chain: Instant visibility into demand, stock levels and potential disruptions allows companies to make proactive, informed decisions. This real-time insight supports a deeper level of cooperation, ensuring that all parties can adjust quickly to changes in an orchestrated manner.
  • Drive improved efficiency with shared metrics: Standardized key performance indicators (KPIs) across departments and partners facilitate better forecasting, streamlined processes and synchronized planning. These shared metrics translate into optimized inventory management and improved responsiveness to market demands, moving beyond mere collaboration into true cooperative action.


Aligned data, greater visibility and shared metrics help supply chains across retail, manufacturing and logistics eliminate silos and improve efficiency. This enables cooperation, reduces risks and helps companies make faster, smarter decisions in markets that are prone to disruptions.

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The AI advantage: Making more intelligent decisions

Once data flows seamlessly across an organization, artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a powerful tool for optimizing supply chains. Predictive analytics, machine learning and generative AI can spot exceptions before they escalate into crises — enabling a more intelligent response. Unlike human analysts, generative AI can ingest huge volumes of data, apply analytics, run scenarios and make “good for the supply chain” decisions in mere seconds.

During the IDG event, Morgan-Vandome noted, “As you break down silos, it opens up the opportunity to take action. This is where AI comes into play — because now you can see what is happening, and you may choose to make different decisions.” 

AI-driven insights help forecast shortages, optimize inventory levels and suggest alternatives when disruptions occur, shifting companies from a reactive stance to a proactive approach. Whether it’s product scarcity or a labor shortage, companies can mitigate the effects of disruptions before they impact critical customer relationships and generate headlines. 

The next disruption is coming. Are you ready?

In today’s supply chains, it’s not a matter of whether a new disruption will happen. It’s a matter of when. Unfortunately, disruptions and volatility are a reality today.

Companies that stick to fragmented systems, scattered data and isolated operations will struggle in this increasingly unpredictable landscape.

But, by investing in unified IT platforms, integrated data and AI-powered decision engines, organizations can transform their vulnerable supply chains into resilient, connected ecosystems — for a significant competitive advantage. In today’s fast-changing world, breaking down silos and fostering genuine collaboration isn’t just a tech upgrade — it’s a strategic necessity.

If you’re ready to build a stronger, more resilient supply chain, why not contact Blue Yonder? Discover how our end-to-end supply chain management solutions can help you navigate challenges, no matter what surprises the future brings.