Title
AWS re:Invent 2023 - AWS Supply Chain: Helping Woodside Energy Optimize Their Supply Chain (BIZ105)
Summary
- Diego Pantoha Navajas, VP of AWS Supply Chain, and Tracy Simpson, VP of Supply Chain for Woodside Energy, presented AWS's supply chain optimization solutions.
- AWS Supply Chain was launched at the previous re:Invent, focusing on data as a key component for resilient supply chains and cost reduction.
- The application quickly went from preview to general availability (GA) in April, with a focus on integrating with various existing systems and using machine learning to harmonize data into a canonical model.
- AWS Supply Chain Data Lake is a foundational element, aggregating information for better demand forecasts, lead time, inventory visibility, and cross-departmental collaboration.
- AWS has added ML-powered insights for real-time operational information and is expanding capabilities upstream to better connect with suppliers.
- The session highlighted the importance of Gen AI in supply chain management, allowing secure access to data for operational efficiency.
- A demo showcased the AWS Supply Chain dashboard, data source integration, inventory visibility, and decision-making tools.
- AWS has improved the application by adding custom table support, AWS PrivateLink for secure data transfer, and simplified data transformation scripts.
- Demand planning enhancements and new work order insights were introduced, focusing on maintenance and repair operations.
- Tracy Simpson shared Woodside Energy's experience with AWS Supply Chain, emphasizing real-time visibility and tracking in their complex, globally dispersed supply chain.
- Woodside's pilot of the Order Insights module has been successful, providing users with relevant views of data and aiding in maintenance planning.
- Future plans include scaling the product, leveraging generative AI, and further optimizing Woodside Energy's supply chain.
Insights
- AWS Supply Chain's data-first approach and machine learning capabilities are central to its ability to provide a resilient and cost-effective supply chain solution.
- The application's rapid GA after preview indicates AWS's commitment to quickly delivering functional supply chain solutions to its customers.
- The AWS Supply Chain Data Lake is a critical innovation, serving as a single source of truth for supply chain data and enabling advanced analytics and insights.
- The focus on Gen AI suggests AWS's forward-thinking strategy to incorporate cutting-edge AI technologies for predictive analytics and decision-making in supply chain management.
- The collaboration between AWS and Woodside Energy demonstrates the practical application of AWS Supply Chain solutions in real-world scenarios, highlighting the benefits of real-time data visibility and process optimization.
- The session's emphasis on upstream capabilities and supplier connectivity indicates a trend towards end-to-end supply chain management solutions that encompass the entire value chain.
- The success of the Order Insights module in Woodside Energy's pilot suggests that AWS Supply Chain can effectively address specific industry challenges, such as those faced by energy companies with complex logistics.
- AWS's ongoing enhancements and the introduction of new features, such as AWS PrivateLink and simplified data transformation, show a commitment to continuous improvement and customer feedback-driven development.
- The potential use of generative AI in supply chain management could revolutionize how companies forecast demand, manage inventory, and optimize operations, providing a competitive edge in the market.