From uncertainty to agility: how intelligent agents strengthen supply chains

Supply chains are entering a new era, driven by the growing need for speed, resilience, and adaptability. While traditional automation focused on optimising large systems and workflows, today’s businesses are adopting intelligent automation agents—agile, AI-driven tools that tackle specific tasks. These tools not only improve operational efficiency but also reduce vulnerability to disruptions such as labour shortages, fluctuating costs, and human error.

The urgency to adopt such innovations has never been greater. Supply chain disruptions are now a constant, with global shortages, delays, and unpredictable challenges costing businesses billions. A recent study by Argon & Co highlights this stark reality: 87% of supply chain leaders reported significant disruptions in the past three years, and 75% expect even greater challenges ahead. In this environment, intelligent automation agents are no longer optional—they’re essential.

How automation reduces uncertainty

Unlike traditional automation that requires massive overhauls, intelligent automation agents target specific, high-impact processes. For example, a recent client of ours implemented AI-driven agents to streamline order processing. The results? A 73% reduction in order processing time and a 50% reduction in application switches while processing orders. These quick wins illustrate the transformative potential of focusing on smaller, targeted improvements that deliver immediate value.

Beyond efficiency, these tools enhance resilience. By minimising reliance on labour-intensive processes and human intervention, businesses can mitigate risks associated with labour shortages or rising wages. Error reduction in critical tasks like order processing not only saves costs but also safeguards customer relationships and financial performance.

The power of these agents isn’t limited to individual tasks. When interconnected, they form an orchestrated system capable of managing end-to-end supply chain operations. Imagine a network where demand forecasting agents seamlessly communicate with inventory and order management tools. This interconnected approach reduces decision-making time, ensures smoother transitions, and creates a scalable framework for automation.

Building a platform for adaptability

The journey doesn’t stop at deploying individual agents. Businesses that create a platform of intelligent agents unlock even greater value. Such platforms allow for the seamless integration of new tools, the rapid scaling of automation across departments, and the ability to adapt to evolving challenges.

Take manual, repetitive processes as an example. Automating tasks like order tracking or inventory updates can free up resources for strategic work while laying the foundation for more advanced automation. Regardless of where a business starts, the key is to begin small and scale thoughtfully, using data-driven insights to refine and expand automation efforts over time.

Efficiency meets resilience

What makes intelligent automation so powerful is its ability to deliver speed and adaptability. These systems prioritise progress over perfection—“getting it roughly right” and improving with each iteration. By reducing human effort in decision-making processes, businesses can move faster while continuously refining outcomes.

For example, AI-powered automation in logistics has the potential to cut costs by 10–20% based on our experience. But the impact goes beyond cost savings—it strengthens supply chains by making them more agile and less vulnerable to disruptions. Faster decision-making and reduced error rates build resilience into operations, enabling businesses to respond effectively to real-time challenges.

From point solutions to long-term transformation

The long-term value of intelligent automation lies in its ability to evolve. Businesses that start with point solutions can gradually integrate these tools into a larger, orchestrated framework, creating a smarter, more cohesive supply chain. Based on our experience of working with clients globally, companies that successfully scaled automation began with small, task-specific solutions before expanding. These early successes built confidence and laid the groundwork for broader transformation.

How IRIS by Argon & Co can help

At IRIS by Argon & Co, our team specialises in helping businesses embrace intelligent automation. We focus on identifying high-impact areas where automation can deliver quick wins and scalable value. By deploying automation agents tailored to your needs, we enable smoother implementation and faster results.

Success story: enabling resilience through intelligent automation

One of our clients, a global distributor, faced significant challenges in processing sales orders due to non-standardised formats and diverse data sources. SKU descriptions often didn’t match, units of measurement varied, and orders arrived in different formats. The large volume of incoming data complicated manual processing, resulting in inefficiencies and potential errors.

We developed an intelligent automation solution that converted non-standard customer orders into a compliant sales header file and its respective sales-line-item file. The process enabled a one-time, error-free upload of the data into their ERP system, eliminating manual intervention.

The automation of the sales order entry process led to a dramatic reduction in both processing time and errors. The team could now focus on more strategic activities, enhancing overall efficiency and satisfaction.

  • Order processing time reduced from 7 hours to just 30 minutes.
  • Application development time reduced from 3 months to 2 weeks.

This success story showcases how intelligent automation not only streamlines operations but also frees up valuable resources, allowing businesses to focus on driving growth and innovation.

Immediate actions: get started today

  1. Identify the bottlenecks in your supply chain: look for repetitive, time-consuming tasks that can benefit from automation.
  2. Choose one process to automate: start small, whether it’s order tracking, inventory management, or demand forecasting.
  3. Partner with experts like us to implement the solution: work with a partner who can guide you through fast and effective automation and build your in-house capabilities.

But why stop there? Your approach should be designed for long-term success, ensuring these agents continue to evolve and integrate into your broader operations. Whether you’re looking to streamline a single process or transform your entire supply chain, we’re here to guide your journey.

A smarter, more resilient supply chain

Intelligent automation agents are redefining what’s possible in supply chain management. They offer businesses a way to respond faster, improve efficiency, and stay ahead in a world of constant change. By starting small and scaling strategically, organisations can unlock the full potential of automation—transforming their supply chains into smarter, more agile networks.

The future of supply chains isn’t just about automation; it’s about intelligence. And the time to act is now.

Author: Mohib Rahmani

 

Mohib Rahmani

Head of IRIS by Argon & Co UK

[email protected]

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