Building a Sustainable Digital-First Distribution Business on Cloud

Distributors in the Middle East & Africa are embracing a digital-first approach to tap the immense opportunities for growth in the region, but many of them face significant challenges including a lack of visibility across the supply chain, a lack of skills, and a reliance on legacy systems.

While 69% of MEA organizations either had a digital-first strategy in place before COVID-19 hit, or created one during the pandemic, a significant proportion face several technology roadblocks implementing their strategies. The most significant challenges encountered by supply chain players in the MEA region are related to data, skills, and outdated systems, according to IDC’s MEA Supply Chain Survey 2022. Indeed, 49% of respondents said that data and analytical capabilities are too slow and not real time; 43% cited a lack of digital skills; 36% a lack of quality data or large sets of unstructured data; and 34% cited outdated IT systems.

Moreover, these challenges are having a material impact on the ability of distribution companies to cater effectively to growing demand. For example, 56% of the respondents in the survey said that they faced a lack of supply chain visibility and flexibility to see market changes in real time, hindering their ability to respond to market threats and opportunities.

This Technology Spotlight examines the importance of building a sustainable digital-first distribution business to thrive in the new normal. It highlights how cloud-based modern applications are foundational to businesses and looks at solution provider Infor’s role in the strategically important Middle East and Africa market.